Autoharp Restoration Project

[c# merle]

recently scored this old autoharp from ebay for 18 quid.

rusty zither pins and missing it's chord bars plus a stress - opening at the head, so got some work to do.

it's a lovely old german made 37 string version but i know zilcho about these things so should be fun

[c# merle]

if you've restored one of these before, please feel free to add any advise or tips.

should be an interesting time ahead

[pete linch]

never restored one. just stripped  them for parts.  3 gone for ever.

pete linch said:

c# merle said:

if you've restored one of these before, please feel free to add any advise or tips.

should be an interesting time ahead

[c# merle]

made a start yesterday by tackling the opening at the head end.

wherever the harp has been over the decades, the string tension has pulled the top up by about 6mm. ideally, i would take off the strings, then repair it but new strings would be a small fortune so they stay for the moment till i figure out cheaper alternatives.

after detuning the strings (my zither handle turner was the wrong size,naturally) with pliers, i could start by gluing the top and bottom back together then i added 4 screws for more strength.

24 hours later i took off the clamps and retuned some strings, the repair looks solid. i'll leave it for a few days then just to make sure it's holding ok.

i need to find something to make the chord bars from now. thin steel should be perfect.