Play pedal harps without gut strings?

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This topic has 26 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 5 months ago by Gillian Bradford.

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March 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm #163254

barbara-brundage
Participant

Well, yes, and if you really want to get into it, nylon is made from coal, which also is made from dead critters, so I guess it’s all pretty much a question of timeframe.

March 5, 2008 at 7:13 pm #163255

barbara-brundage
Participant

Incidentally, Gwyneth Wentinck is a vegan. I’m not sure how she deals with these issues with her own harp, but on tour she does just play regular harps with regular stringing.

March 5, 2008 at 8:50 pm #163256

diane-michaels
Participant

This is for the harp builders out there:

March 5, 2008 at 9:08 pm #163257

barbara-brundage
Participant

I’ve been wondering about that myself, Diane. I don’t think anyone uses real shellac anymore, so finishes shouldn’t be a problem, and I know that synthetic glue is used for some aspects, like laying up columns, but I do wonder if any maker still uses hide glue for anything these days.

March 5, 2008 at 9:53 pm #163258

bernhard-schmidt
Participant

From my view in

March 5, 2008 at 10:03 pm #163259

bernhard-schmidt
Participant

I just see this… here in Europe many harpmaker of lever harps use real shellac for finish.

Regards

March 5, 2008 at 10:07 pm #163260

barbara-brundage
Participant

Really, Bernhard? That’s very interesting. I can’t think of any US maker who does now. Most use some kind of nitrocellulose lacquer.

March 5, 2008 at 10:40 pm #163261

bernhard-schmidt
Participant

Yes,

March 5, 2008 at 11:27 pm #163262

unknown-user
Participant

Hello again everybody,

wow, this is really amazing. I didn’t expect that much answers, and they all are so helpful. Thank you all very very much for your hints and advice :o) !!!

@ Barbara

March 5, 2008 at 11:28 pm #163263

unknown-user
Participant

Again: Thank you and have a real nice day,

all the best,

Louisa

March 6, 2008 at 2:56 am #163264

Fairy Reel
Participant

My cat is rather impartial, actually. My dogs consider the harp a big thing in the way of my lap, and why am I paying attention to that when I could be playing with them??? My only pet that likes my harp is my rabbit, actually. He mostly lives outside but when he does come inside to visit, he loves music! Just have to keep him from getting too close…yummy wooden instruments are oh so appealing to little bunnies!

(My cat only is interested in music when there is a flute/recorder playing. Then she gets all excited! But the harp produces no reaction.)

Good luck!

March 6, 2008 at 4:02 am #163265

Gillian Bradford
Participant

Since you are in Germany have you considered the nice little pedal harps they make in Austria? These harps have pedals, are smaller than a full size (nice and light) and are strung in nylon. They are also very well priced compared to a regular pedal harp.

Here’s some examples…
http://www.muernseer-harps.com/

And you hear what they sound like on YouTube here…

http://uk.youtube.com/user/ullii

Gillian
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