[randal]

Thanks Sherri…

I’m similar, in that–I’ve been hearing and compelled by the wire harp for decades…and I think since first hearing it and identifying what it was–always desired to acquire and play wire harp. For a variety of reasons, I never overcame the barriers until recently (actually playing Carolan tunes on hammered dulcimer for 20-30 years to help assuage my affinity for the idiom). I would have difficulty recounting all of the instruments and styles I’ve studied in the intervening years. It’s been a long and circuitous journey

I like your thoughts about the bells…there’s a whole realm of sonics–timbre and resonance–to discuss! That’s an aspect of wire, I believe–a “pure,” bell-like quality–that’s particularly evocative and alluring

[randal]

Well I think you’re absolutely correct in your assessment of the specialized rigors associated with nails. I’d think one would have to be particularly predisposed in some way for the approach. Without the background, predisposition, or opportunity for experimentation–how would one come to the wire harp?

Personally, I would love to have some facility with nylon harp, but in realizing my disposition I’m afraid it’s wire for me–for better or worse

[randal]

Well, upon Tayce’s suggestion, I read a thread online–the first one that a search produced, which happened to be quite informative–and just a few minutes ago took the electric iron to the gouge. It immediately rose a bit, and gives me confidence that I could probably steam the dent out to about flush, with subsequent treatments. I’ll still have to glue the avulsion back–after I’m finished with steam treatments–but that should be a simple enough procedure. Thanks again Tayce!

Otherwise–I found a set of hammered dulcimer strings about, and replaced the three mandolin strings I’d hastily used to tune it up and get playing…the HD strings are far more suitable. These–and the old existing strings–certainly aren’t optimal, but have kept their tune pretty well, and have allowed to resurrect an old, neglected harp while I await the arrival of a new string set

After a week, I’m far more comfortable with the spacing…and pieces are becoming smoother : )

Here’s hoping that Deb soon comes to deciding on a harp!

[randal]

Both Lyn’s and your harps are gorgeous Jessica. I was wondering whether you’d received your harp last week (I got mine on Monday–also going from humid to arid)

[randal]

Thanks for the suggestion Tayce

I may just try a little steam, at some point

[randal]

Well I tried playing my Carolan tunes ; )…adjusting to wire spacing (and my harp has quite narrow spacing), and without visual references, is a bit challenging. My harp has some colored pins (red and blue), but the way I’ve tuned it–these do not correspond as my nylon harp…even if they did, the coloration is very subtle and I can hardly see them anyway! Beginning yesterday–I’m training myself to play more by feel

(Not to beat a dead horse, but I posted a pic upthreads…for our edification?)

[randal]

Yes, I sent them pics. But yes, i think the first thing a carrier will do is examine the packaging–and there’s no ostensible sign of any impact there

The good news: I don’t see it nor feel it while playing. Until i can obtain a new string set, I’ve installed a couple of mandolin strings to fill the gaps of missing strings–which of course sound terrible–but allowed me to tune her up and play tunes all day

Another thing: this is one big reason why i Iike to buy used gear. If this happened to a new piece–or a particularly nice piece, would be that much more difficult to tolerate. I pretty much take the attitude: I don’t have to be as careful–going up/down stairs! And as disappointing as a major gouge in the front of one’s column, is–after an epic cross-country journey, I’m so thankful to finally have this wonderful instrument. I’ll have to remove the avulsion, sand the rough divot , and move on!

[randal]

Thanks Jennifer. This was a used harp purchased from a retailer. (But still…it would have been nice to not have this problem). I did inform the retailer

[randal]

Thanks Lyn

Well, I admit that the gouge really was a disappointment. But for a number of reasons, I’m seeing it as something I must look past: I’m feeling fortunate that the harp made it to me structurally sound–it’s possible that if i subjected the harp to another round of cross-country shipping, the harp would suffer more. While certainly not optimal, the gouge is a cosmetic issue that I can address myself–it will always be there, but I’ll have to treat it somehow to mitigate the splinter jutting out so I don’t spear my hand! (unfortunately, i’m unable to simply glue it back–as the wood has been crushed beneath the avulsion)

So, I guess it’s a case of accepting the imperfections–as I must everywhere, everyday ; )

I will inform the seller, but frankly I can’t be certain how or when the harp was damaged: it was well-packed and the crate appeared well intact when it arrived

[randal]

Western Montana I am. FedEx has always been more effective for us–typically beats UPS by a day or two (woulda had it by the weekend for sure, as FedEx makes Saturday deliveries)…but I’m still waiting for my harp today…as it’s been “out for delivery” for 10 hours now…”

…but I said I wouldn’t complain! :^|| … still keeping my fingers crossed!!

(later) Well it made it! The packaging all looked intact, but the column took a nasty ding somewhere along the way–leaving an inch-long indentation, crack, and half-inch avulsion of splintered wood right on the front corner of the column (not only is it unattractive, but downright dangerous–nearly took a nasty splinter in my hand several times while going over the instrument)

[randal]

Great Deb!

Well it made it to the last town before mine on the UPS line by Friday night…and there it sat all weekend–while a nasty blizzard and cold winter temperatures moved in and dumped half a foot of heavy spring snow…and still coming down. Now if it is to make it to me it must travel the last leg of its journey through ice and snow…I hope the trucks can stay on the road tonight–and it gets to ride around town all day tomorrow in the cold and snow in the back of a truck… (gritting teeth :^|

All this–when it should have just spent the weekend all cozy and snug here in my house!

[randal]

I’m due to receive my wire harp on Monday (should have been yesterday, but it was diverted…i won’t complain–if it eventually makes it to me!). Wire is natural for me, as I’ve been a guitarist all my life and have always kept right hand nails; so when I play nylon string harp, it’s with my right hand nails–not particularly desirable, but it’s largely unavoidable with decades of nylon-string guitar in my DNA

Unfortunately, the left hand nails interfere with playing fingerboard instruments, so having committed to wire harp, I’ve had to give up my oud and violin playing (I can still play the fretted instruments a little–as the nails don’t totally interfere with those, as they do the fretless instruments). It’s quite a commitment, but the instrument and the music has finally compelled me

Depending on your string spacing, you might manage to employ relatively more pad rather than all-nail approach. I believe some wire harps are spaced wider like nylon harps

[randal]

Thanks Deb–I will indeed : )

Unfortunately I’ll have to string it up before I can enjoy playing it–it’s missing some strings. But I’m really looking forward to playing this repertoire –harp tunes, after all!–on harp proper, rather than all the other instruments I’ve been playing the tunes on all these years…to compensate for not having harp ; )

[randal]

I so wanted to try double-harp — when I first contemplated actually acquiring a harp and committing to studying (I was in precontemplation for some 20 years…didn’t think I would, a) be able to manage harp playing as a guitarist [with fingernails], and, b) felt like I had way to many musical interests to actually commit to harp playing as an older adult..). But, I figured out that–as with melodeons–I do much better with diatonics! : )

As a bit of a musical nomad–I’ve found the sound of harp inescapable, after all these years–and finally committed to it…I’ve arranged my O’Carolan tunes on my small lap harp and have been playing those the past year, and finally procured a wire Triplett (25 str) from the Virgina Harp Center (that was shipped out today!)

[Author]

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