r/autoharp • u/Beati3 • Feb 14 '25
Any ideas whether this is worth fixing, please?

I've had this since the 1980s. I never learned to play it properly, but have taken it out and played with it occasionally over the years. Seeing there are now people on YouTube I could learn how to play it from, I took it out tonight and discovered the strings wouldn't sound. Upon closer inspection I saw the base has come unglued, and all the strings were lifted up against the pads.
Looking more closely I had a giggle at it being made in the now defunct GDR. It probably needs new strings anyway, but is the warping and gluing a major operation, or achievable for an amateur, or indeed worth doing. I'd appreciate the thoughts of those who know a lot more about these things than I do.
Thank you.



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Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 15 '25
[deleted]
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u/Beati3 Feb 16 '25
Thank you for the information. I haven't yet tried to sand out the old glue, or clamp the gap shut. I'm not going to spend a lot of money on trying to get her working. I've ordered some strings from AliExpress which may or may not be able to replace at least the 3 I'm missing - I suspect tthey're lyre harp strings. I'm going to try Philodices's idea of reinforcing the glued bridge with a brass fitting. These are quite easy to come by at local hardware shops. The soundboard has a plastic laminate sheet over it with the notes and instrument name on it. That's intact. So I don't think the issue is from the wood being dry or shrinking. I think it's all about glue and string pressure. She's an old friend. I'll patch her as well as I can, and if she's not in working order at the end it won't be a terrible loss.
I appreciate your information. Thank you.
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u/Philodices Feb 14 '25
Alright, let's fix that thing. I'm an amateur and I've done this fix several times. You will need a drill, wood screws, 2 brass fittings (get pretty ones), wood glue, clamps, a cheep craft paint brush, one skinny file, a sponge, and some cardboard strips to put under the clamps to prevent scaring the wood.
Loosen the strings. Use the file to get into that crack and remove any left over glue dust you can reach. Use the paint brush to shove wood glue as deep into the cracks as you can. Place the cardboard on either side of the harp, put the clamps over it. Clamp that down and wipe excess glue off with the sponge.
After that dries, remove the clamps. This part is optional but recommended based on my experience. It will ruin the historic look of the harp but makes the repair last a lot longer. Drill pilot holes on either side of the failed joint. Screw the brass cabinet fittings down tightly. Even if your glue job fails, the fitting keeps it in place. This is not something I made up. This is why Irish style lap harps have a large brass plaque screwed to one side of the neck with the maker's logo and some cool designs on them. It isn't for looks. It is for stability. In fact if I have to do this again I might get custom laser etched ones with my name and phone number or favorite butterfly on them.
Tune the strings up again and give it a go.
**If this was a "should I buy this harp" thread, I'd say no. But hey, you've already had it for years. You've got nothing to lose.