Message Board

Jumbo pattern

HunterWilson — Thur, 09 Oct 2008 15:30:14 GMT

I've recently developed an interest in building a harp guitar on top of the repair of the gibson style U (assuming i ever get around to that). I've done some looking and can't seem to locate the plans for a Jumbo sized guitar. Have any of you come across a set? I'm looking for something Guild Jumbo to Gibson J 200 ish. then going to modify from there for the harp guitar.

Forum: Makers

New Guitar Book has a few HGs in it

FredCarlson — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:45:23 GMT

Folks,

Just got my "contributors' copy" of the hot-off-the-press "Hand Made, Hand Played: The Art and Craft of Contemporary Guitars", by Robert Shaw; published by Lark Books.

This has been in the works for several years, so long I could hardly recall what I had "contributed". Turns out it's really a pretty nice book, large coffee-table format with lots of pictures and a huge range of instruments represented. It's organized into several categories, and, bless their hearts, they have a Harp Guitar section. Small (only the "Historic" section is smaller), and frankly, I saw a couple of instruments I think of as harp guitars (or at least closely related) that ended up in another category. They managed to get both my entries into the HG section (possibly because I told them to...I can't remember anything before last week, so who knows what I told them!), and whoever I bribed did their job well...they call me a "living national treasure" (man, how much did I shell out for that? I hope I didn't promise to make an instrument for someone in exchange for such head-swelling silliness....). The last week or so I've felt like a "dying national treasure", but getting this book cheered me right up and bloated my ego back up to it's usual overwhelming presence...ahh, world domination seems possible again!! Or at least "living national" domination....gotta start somewhere I s'pose!

Anyway, I'm getting distracted from describing this book (not the first time I've gotten distracted, as you may know!):
Other HG builders represented in the harp section include:

Gary Southwell, Elliot and Sullivan, Tom Davis, William Eaton and Alan Perlman, and ....that's it. Not exactly an exhaustive list...seven instruments in all.
Linda Manzer's Pikasso ended up in the "Archtop and Other Jazz" section, as well as Mike Doolin's archtop HG; and there's a Steve Klein electric HG in the electric section. Various of our illustrious community appear in the text accompanying the pictures: John Doan, Bill Dutcher, Jim Kline, Gregg Miner, Bob Hartman and others get at least passing references, as well as the Larsons and Knutsen. I have to remind myself that this book was probably put together just before the HG resurgence really got into full swing; if they'd begun working on the book today, there might be 11 or 12 HGs represented!! Actually, it got me thinking about how there ought to be a book like this entirely focusing on harp guitars and their close relatives. Maybe Gregg is actually working on this as we speak, if not you can bet he's thought about it.

Anyway, this is a nice book; photography was all supplied by the builders, so it's a little uneven in quality, and the reproduction of some of the photos is really not great. But most of it's very nice; not quite as nice as the French book it seems to be perhaps modelled after (don't recall the name of it, maybe Ben knows). It's really a step up from most of the coffee-table guitar picture-books out there (since most of them don't call me a national treasure!!), and the fact that we get a section for HGs is really forward movement!

Here's the link to the Lark Books online catalog page for it: http://www.larkbooks.com/catalog?isbn=1579907873
It's literally just out, so I don't know where else it might be available.

I recommend it.

Fred

Forum: Events and Announcements

Cheltenham Guitar Festival - Finally met up with Stephen Sedgwick

DavidWhite — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:02:50 GMT

Apoligies if this is the wrong section to post this in.

I'm very tired but happy as I've just got back from exhibiting at the Cheltenham Acoustic Guitar Show and finally got to meet up with Stephen Sedgwick. What a lovely modest person and fabulous harp guitar maker. We got to compare harp guitars - his is bigger :

http://www.defaoiteguitars.com/userimages/stephen1.jpg

A new budding UK harp guitar player called Dale Campbell played both Stephen's and my harp guitars and has included snippets in this video on Youtube.

I'm really sad that I won't be able to make it over to HGG6 this year but hope you all have a great time.

Forum: Makers

Dyer Harp Guitar Plans

Gregg — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:45:13 GMT

New thread

This is a repeat and extension of a message I placed in the "GAL Harp Proejct" thread.
To anyone now or in the future restoring, repairing or otherwise inspecting vintage Dyers:

I would like to begin an ongoing project to collect data on Dyer harp guitars in an effort to answer questions for those using the GAL Dyer Plans or otherwise copying Dyers. As I understand it, the plans are missing certain details that we should easily be able to help fill in. More importantly, the plans represent a single, random specimen with 5 sub-basses. I would like help in creating a drawing addendum for the more common and popular 6-sub Dyer, which many have asked me for. I would like to additionally collect data (from all of you volunteers) on other measurements of vintage Dyers to explore putting in RANGES or options for those measurements that differ to a noticable extent on different specimens. We know that all Dyers were not created equal. For example, Kerry Char has noted differences in bracing between early and later instruments and Bob Hartman and I note a wide variation in body depth on our Dyer study page. I think most of us are interested in bracing details (as it affects tone) and I am especially interested in neck measurements - nut width/string spacing and fretboard radius (at the nut and 12th fret, if compound as mine is) - as this relates to the player's needs and wants (which relates to the market and more specifically to my instrument sales on Harp Guitar Music).

The goal would be to supply this Addendum Drawing / Information Sheet along with the GAL plans I sell at Harp Guitar Music.

Perhaps we can develop a general checklist and luthiers, repairman and owners can log the information on this thread. Please contact me directly to discuss any new detailed drawings you have made.

Thank you for your help!

Forum: Makers

Winfield Anyone?

Dennis_Mitchell — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:17:37 GMT

So are any of you going to make the trip to Kansas next month?

Forum: Chit Chat

Babinga HG's anyone?

Stephen_W — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:00:02 GMT

Holy sub basses Batman, how many Harp Guitars do you guys think we could get out of this sucker?

Lard atunderin' Geezus, Joeseph antz Mary!

Looky dem bouys standin dar side by each wit dat giaganormouse slab tingy.

Sorry fur dat slip dare... it dun scared da begeezus out of me and I seem to be stuck somewhere between Newfoundland and the promised land.

Ba Da Boom Ba Da Bing Ga

Forum: Chit Chat

Harp Guitar Stand

BradHoyt — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:19:39 GMT

Hey everybody,

I just wanted to pass this along to anyone who is giging with their harp guitar.

I found an excellent stand that I'd strongly recommend for gigs. It's made by Hercules. Here's a link to the specs: http://www.herculesstands.com/guitars/GS414B.html

What's cool about this stand is that it's construction is rock solid and the combination of a neck brace that surrounds the neck and the fact that it hangs and does not sit on a couple brackets means there's no way it can tip. (Also, if your HG has a bottom cutaway like the AVC, you don't have to worry about balancing it on brackets.)

I thought it was important to post this because the last thing you want to have happen on stage is for your HG to fall over and break. I've heard of some stories of this happening recently and it's pretty sobering.

Forum: Miscellaneous

E Ticket Ride...

Gregg — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:43:29 GMT

...but not neccessarily one I need to repeat!
Just in case anyone happens to catch the news of our little Los Angeles earthquake today (5-point-something, depending on who's counting), no problems here. I happened to be home for lunch, and had a nice panic attack as things rattled around and the whole placed shimmied and rolled for what seemed like a good minute (but was probably only several seconds). Probably good thing we're on clay fill. The dogs were running around barking like mad (Maezi's first). Nothing shifted or fell over, though it is sobering to see dozens of irreplaceable instruments still swinging of their own volition ten minutes later. Yes, my insurance is up-to-date.
We're about 50-60 miles from it - how about the rest of you Southern Californians? Was that fun?!

Forum: Chit Chat

Bennett and McKee in AG

Joe_Morgan — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:56:44 GMT

Hey gang, Just received the September edition of Acoustic Guitar magazine and it has articles about both Stephen Bennett and Andy McKee. Not really harp guitar features, but their hg's are mentioned in the articles. Don't know if it has hit the newsstands yet, but you might want to pick one up when you get a chance.

Forum: Players

Jason Carter

Sedgwick — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:17:54 GMT

Hi People

As I have mentioned before Mr Carter is doing great work as an Ambassador and musician. I only recently saw his Blog, which is about his musical journey in Afghanistan.What makes his blog really interesting is that he is also keeping a video dairy.

It is great to see and hear the work he is doing and also get a taste of what is really happening over there, than the propaganda we see on the BBC and CNN.

http://jasoncartertours.blogspot.com/

I hope it will influence other musicians to get out more and experience the world.
All the best
Steve

Forum: Players

Gibson Tuning machines

HunterWilson — Thur, 10 Jul 2008 14:41:55 GMT

I've already talked to Micheal a bit about this, but I'm looking for sub bass tuning machines for the gibson harp guitars. I have a machinist who can probably manufacture them, so I'd be content with just one. Just wondering if anyone out there has any.

Forum: Buy and Sell

Manring, Titus & Youngs (+ Miner!) in concert 7/11 & 7/12

jmtitus — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:28:31 GMT

Fri 7/11 at 142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, CA
Sat 7/12 at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA

Tix available thru http://harpsympitar.com

An evening of virtuoso guitar/bass instrumentals featuring Jeff Titus and his 24-string Harp Sympitar, GRAMMY-nominated bass master Michael Manring, veteran guitarist and vocalist Drew Youngs and some very special guests. This tour features incredible solo, duo and ensemble performances in support of the recently released album 'Jeff Titus - Wood Dragon' which has been receiving rave reviews and international attention since the October 2007 release.

"Jeff Titus (on Wood Dragon) has found a way to use extended techniques and a 24-string guitar and still keep the focus on the music--inspired, tightly crafted compositions beautifully performed and delivered straight from the heart."---Alex de Grassi

If you are a lover of acoustic music (a la Michael Hedges, Alex de Grassi, Andy McKee, etc.) you will not want to miss this amazing evening.

Forum: Events and Announcements

Harp Guitar for sale... 6 by 6

jmtitus — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:23:10 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNNNHoymK-k

For sale from Jim Roosa, creator of the rootwitch.com website.

FYI

Forum: Buy and Sell

Wishnevsky Harp Guitars

Beephnix — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:35:33 GMT

Has anyone bought / heard a harp guitar made by Mr. Wishnevsky? I'm currently looking to buy a harp guitar, but am on quite a tight budget. For me, it's a choice between a Wishnevsky model (for probably $700 - $800), a Lark In The Morning for something like $1500, or possibly a cheap second hand HG if and when one turns up.

My current finances prohibit me from paying any more than it would cost for a Wishnevsky, so it's really a choice between getting him to build one now or waiting a year or so until I can afford to pay more for a more standard harp guitar (and itching to get started the whole time). The problems are further compounded by the fact that I live in the UK. My fiance is originally from the USA and will be visiting her parents now and then, so she should be able to bring one back into the country with her.

The attached image shows a new Wishnevsky model (left) and an edited version that I have made with image manipulation software (middle). Having reviewed the changes, he has offered to make a guitar to the new specification, with a solid spruce top, for $800. Could I get advice from any luthiers or anyone knowledgable in the acoustic properties of HG's regarding the changes I have requested? Does this look like it could produce a decent sound? Also, Steve mentioned in an email that moving the soundhole in the way I've requested won't have much of an effect on the sound quality and output, but will reduce structural stability. Any opinions on this?

Sorry for the ridiculously long post. I'm new here, so go easy on me...

Thanks,
Keith

Forum: Makers

Gibson Harp Guitar

Michael — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:06:11 GMT

I would love for new member Adam Wilson to email me at platm@bellsouth.net so we can talk about our "half" Gibson harp guitar projects. Here is what progress I have made so far. I have about 1 weekend a month to work on this.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii138/Michaels44/IMG_184125s.jpg

Forum: Makers