Basic string question

[hallie1234]

Hello,
I’m new to this forum and very new to harp.
From the time I was young, I remember my mother playing her harp and singing. My sister and I would dance around the living room or in the yard while she played.
My mother passed, and her harp needs to be restrung. She has a Webster McFall, a stunningly beautiful harp. I am looking to figure out what strings I should put on it to help maintain it. I do plan on playing, but I am not able to do so right now.
Thank you for your help!

[charles-nix]

One sure way is to contact the builder. William Webster, Warren, MI, (313) 570-8385. Or that is the number I could find. Have the serial number handy. Or Michigan Harp Center. Someone here might have a string chart also.

Last, if you haven’t done it before, for heaven’s sake have a technician do it or teach you. There will be a lot of tuning required to stretch the strings in.

Frankly, if they are not broken, and you won’t be playing, I wouldn’t string until a month or two before you start. Just keep it in reasonable time.

[hallie1234]

Thank you Charles-nix for your response. Yes, many strings are broken. Mr. Webster and I have been playing phone tag for months; I had checked with the MI harp center also, and they gave me Mr.Webster’s email address. I am just feeling a time pressure and wanted to see if anyone with a Webster McFall might offer some advice. Thank you again for your response.
Best,
Hallie

[Biagio]

I suggest you contact one of these string makers: Robinson’s Harp Shop or Markwood Heavenly Strings. They both keep a huge catalogue of different model specs and it might be faster than playing phone tag with a maker. Especially since many harp makers do not make their own strings in the fist place, haha.

Cheers,
Biagio

[charles-nix]

Second to Biagio’s suggestion. If many are broken, perhaps they were gut. It could likely be replaced with nylon of proper tension, which is much less expensive for one you aren’t playing yet.

[hallie1234]

Thank you Biago and Charles-nix. I appreciate your help. I will look up those string makers.
Best,
Hallie

[Biagio]

You are very welcome Hallie. I should also mention that Robinson’s offers plans for the original McFall design. I don’t know if WIlliam based his design off Robinsons’ but it seems likely that he did.

Best,
Biagio

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