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Harp Tuning & Care

To reduce the chance of damage during shipping, we remove the stress on the soundboard by de-tuning our harps. For this reason a new harp will require tuning several times before it will achieve its full voice. In the first two weeks you may find you have to tune the harp multiple times each day. This process slowly brings the soundboard up to its full potential. The stability of the soundboard increases with age. Have patience with your harp in the beginning and it will provide you with years of beautiful music.

Our harps travel well over short trips- say in the car. However, if you have to pack the harp to ship it, you should always back the pegs up and remove the strings' tension on the soundboard. Harps are affected by the environment, but mostly by fast fluctuations in the humidity level and temperature. If the humidity is high, or low, and stays that way your harp should be fine. You need to understand that when you first acquire a harp it needs to be tuned several times a day for the first week or so. This gradually stretches the harp soundboard and eventually your harp will find its voice.

When tuning, always work from the longest to the shortest string. Begin by tuning the ‘C’ strings (color coded red). Next, tune the ‘F’ strings (color coded blue). Finally, tune the clear strings, always from longest to shortest. This method of tuning stretches the soundboard in a very even manner. As you turn the tuning peg gently push inward to tighten the peg. The pegs are tapered and will hold more firmly as you press inward. Use a piano or electronic tuner as a reference for tuning.

Bridge pins are directly beneath the tuning pins. These bridge pins are loose in their holes. They may need to be adjusted so there is ample lift to the string on the sharpening lever for a clear tone. Push or tap bridge pins for more string lift. The sharpening levers are mounted below the bridge pins. Sharpening levers may be adjusted for fine-tuning after the soundboard achieves stability. Raising or lowering the sharpening levers makes the key sharp (i.e. C becomes C-Sharp).

A new harp requires many tunings before it stabilizes.  Harps stay in tune longer and become much brighter (better sounding) with age, usually 3-4 months.

All harps have two big idiosyncrasies which nobody has been able to eliminate. A term referred to as "associated flex" means when you tension a string you cause a flex in the thin soundboard, which in turn reduces the tensions on all other strings. This is very evident on a harp that has never been tuned. Theoretically a harp can never achieve absolute perfect pitch. A harp is considered stable when this flex causes a pitch change that the ear can not detect. If you have perfect pitch a harp will drive you crazy. The arm flex is so minor that it is not considered.

The Rosewood harps from Mid-East Mfg., Inc., it takes about 3 months, just as with any other harp, to start to get its "voice". In about a year the harp will sound inspirational.

The second issue is defined as "flex memory". A tuned harp without being touched will lose memory, resistance, and pitch in its soundboard because it is wood. Only with constant tuning does the flex memory increase. Harpers have an old saying; "You spend half your life tuning the harp and the other have playing it out of tune".

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Changing a broken string on your harp

It is not difficult to change a string. First, remove the broken string through the sound board. Then, insert the new string through the sound board about ½ of the string's length. Tie a knot on the end which is on the outside of the soundboard. Make sure the knot is large enough not to slip through. Pull the string and thread it over the bridge pin and sharpening levers (if applicable). Lastly, put the string through the hole on the tuning pin. Tighten the string with the tuning lever. Cut the excess off the string only after letting it sit for 2 days and the knot doesn't pull through.

These Rosewood harps are hand crafted made in Pakistan. The nylon strings are made in the USA by DuPont. Pakistan has this beautiful wood in the rosewood family called sheesham delbergia. It is easily machined and is very forgiving in various weather conditions. It rarely ever cracks, except when thrown by package delivery carriers!!!  

Can I place my order by mail?

Yes, we welcome all mail orders and payments may be made with personal check or money order.  Please click here for order page, enclose it with payment along with your name, address and telephone number.  We cannot process orders without a telephone number, as we may have to call you if we have a question.  If you would like us to notify you with tracking number, please provide us with your email address. Please allow at least two weeks, from the time we receive your payment, for you to receive your order.  In case of back order, we will contact you by email or telephone.

Please mail orders to:      HarpsOnly Showroom
                                    P.O. Box 7106
                                    High Point, NC  27264