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Hi Amber,
I’m working with the case maker now. No new batch yet. Any new issues with your harp? – Chris
Hi Barbara,
You’re absolutely right regarding the manager, and I am indeed working on that. FYI I won’t be working on the 36 until I am no longer behind on the 29 deliveries.
Best,
Chris
Vivian,
I know that the client is always right, but please, to be fair, I had an existing commitment doing sound at the Freight and Salvage that morning and gave you my best estimate for when I would be done. I made it clear that it was approximate, as I would have to break down afterwards. I made myself entirely available to you, even telling my wife to expect you afterwards and was actually a bit shocked that you weren’t willing to meet.
I’m sorry it didn’t work out, and I still hope that it might.
All best wishes,
Chris
Hi Amber,
After reading your posting again I realized it was more bridge pins than I initially knew about. There’s a simple method to get to the those pins (though redesign has fixed the issue in newer harps). I wish I hadn’t been so ill through that whole period.
I was thinking today that maybe I should buy your harp back. It makes me sad that you don’t like it, and I would benefit from seeing the issues you had to deal with so they don’t repeat themselves (though I think I have addressed most of them already).
Let me know if that’s something you might be interested in. I view this case as exceptional since it was early in production.
Cheers,
Chris
Hi All,
This is Chris Caswell, the marginal businessman in question. A few updates – Julie’s harp is done and awaiting my driving it over to her place. Biagio’s will be getting lacquered in about a week to 10 days.
I have read and listened appreciatively to the criticism of my poor communication. I take it to heart and will work to put a system in place where all who order from me are kept in the loop more than just at large intervals.
Based on the last several batches, I now have a reasonably good production schedule. Everyone who has been waiting WAY long should have their harps by mid to late May. Anyone ordering recently has been given a more accurate delivery estimate based on actual production, rather than promises from suppliers.
I will say a couple of things regarding Amber’s harp. the color rubbing off came from a spot where I had to do a touch-up near the levers. That was then sealed with a touch-up lacquer which I’ve used for many years. However, the dye apparently migrated through the touch-up lacquer. It hadn’t done that when it left the shop. Needless to say I use a different touch-up lacquer now. and it is an easy fix for anyone to just wipe a little poly over the top of the offending area. Secondly, a single bridge pin needed an adjustment as the string wasn’t vibrating quite freely when the lever wasn’t engaged, creating a muffled sound. Again, for me this would have been a moment to fix, and it was definitely my bad that I didn’t catch it.
The tone, on the other hand, is a different matter. I was rather excited by the sound of her harp. In fact, I have retired the Butterfly 29s because the SweetHarps, at half the cost, are sounding so good (I think better in many ways). But tone is VERY subjective, and I don’t mean in any way to gainsay Amber’s impression of her harp.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me either here or via my website.
Best,
Chris
Hi Peggy,
I worked with Jay for a number of years. I do strings for all the old models. I’m in Berkeley, CA in case you’re nearby and need the harp looked at. Also, I’m happy to give advise or liaison with a repair person if needed.
All the best,
Chris Caswell
Hi Pheona,
Thank you so much for your kind words! Now I’m totally inspired to see if I can make the methods developed for the Sweetharp work in a 36 (I just like throwing in those last two top strings). It may not, though. As you know, the tension adds quickly with that lower octave and I’m just really resistant to making a harp with less than adequate string lengths (a compromise sometimes employed to reduce tension). The SweetHarp is in a pretty close balancing act with the tension on it already; that’s one way I can make it light and inexpensive. However, I love the idea of it being a good harp for public transit so I’ll give it a go.
Cheers,
Chris Caswell
PS: Please post a photo from your bardic jaunt up Strathearn!
PPS: It would be more money. What would still be within the price range of the young harpists in your neck of the woods?
Hi,
Paint pens will dull the sound. Sharpies rub right off. Some brands of felt tip makers last pretty well. Mark above and below the area you play.
Cheers,
Chris Caswell
I make a large one – the Gwydion. They were my main instrument for many years. In fact, that’s why I went to work for Witcher during college! They have great magic.
Hi All,
Amber’s right. My customer service was very bad. In my defense, let me say that I went through several years of a very serious health issue which knocked me way back. I have since been making every effort to mend both my body and my customer relations.
The SweetHarp has now been officially released and is a 29 string. You can see it at http://youtu.be/E2bZUOkRlKg
