Help: Autoharp Models: History

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 11:07 PM

cool, frank.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Stringsinger
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 11:23 AM

The autoharp that I played on for the Walton's Theme and for the other score Jerry Goldsmith used for the Walton's pilot, a Christmas special called "The Homecoming" was a fifteen bar (Eb,D,F7,Gm,Bb,A7,C7,Dm,F,E7,G7,Am,C,D7,G) with rounded corners and a slight round indentation for holding it on your knee or forearm.

I also played this harp on a movie called "The Wild Rovers" and it was featured in the intermission part of the movie (on DVD).

It may be one of the few times this instrument was featured with a full orchestra on a movie score.

I sweated out the tuning by placing the wrench on the tuning pegs and retuned constantly while the orchestra was tuning up but it held its tuning well.

Jerry's daughter played it on subsequent episodes of the Waltons. She was a folklore student (I think at Oberlin).

I played dulcimer on "The Homecoming" also. .

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 19 Mar 13 - 11:16 PM

As I recall the first Chromaharp I ever saw was made by Sekova, Korean I think. That would have been about 1969 or 70. Sekova was a company who ran or bought from a box shop that made all manner of knock offs. I recall a Sekova Beatles Bass (Hofner Copy)

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Nigel
Date: 19 Mar 13 - 07:23 PM

Hi - I'm in the Uk, where, as we all know, it's hard to find an Autoharp.....

I have been doing some research & I am confused about the lineage of ChromAharP as a brand/logo, to suggest potential quality.

Some references suggest that ChromAharP was a Japanese maker of decent quality products ( back in the day ?) but many 'harps, bearing ChromAharP labels are credited to other, arguably 'low end' brands ?

Have other makers 'borrowed' the ChromAharP 'logo' & simply applied it to their products ? or are they made under licence ? A search of Ebay in the U.S. of ChromAharP shows the variety of producers.
regards,
N

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 08:02 PM

Well... that split in the top doesn't look to me like it would render the entire instrument useless.... but it might be a good reason to lower the price quite a bit, so as to mess with it. Much worse cracks can be fixed or disguised...

This doesn't mean I recommend buying it... I just wouldn't toss it out if *I* had it.. ( I some some woodworking and would try to save it)

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 07:16 PM

This is a "Golden Autoharp" manufactured by Oscar Schmidt expressly for The National Autoharp Sales Company which marketed them mainly to school teachers between about 1950 and 1963. The serial number, 5317, indicates that it was manufactured in the 17th week of 1953.

As Don pointed out, there is a visible split in the top which makes this instrument useful for spare parts or for kindling.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 03:46 PM

It appears to have a split in the top and it is missing the string end pin cover. And you can't tell if the felts are intact or badly worn.

I think this harp is rare in some places and not so much in others. I'm not a fan of the golf tee buttons. I prefer the trapezoids on the Harps made after 1968 or so. Easier on the fingers.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jan 13 - 01:09 PM

A bit late.. but I have to say that I have one of that exact model of 'harp, and it plays & sounds very well! One can never be sure just from a picture, but that picture is of an instrument that LOOKS ok.

(I bought mine from a friend who was reputable dealer 20 years ago for almost that exact price) I don't play it regularly, but it tunes up pretty well and has that 'old' twangy sound that some favor. If the strings are still good, it 'might' be a decent buy.

So.. all I can say is- that model was decently built... if there is a return policy, it might be worth a try.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,harpgirl
Date: 22 Jan 13 - 11:43 PM

I would say no it is not worth the asking price or any price if you want to. get a playable autoharp. Rare autoharps are those made by luthiers who arenow deceased such as Mark Fackeldey. This autoharp is not rare.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: canalwheeler
Date: 22 Jan 13 - 04:51 AM

What the image can't tell you is if the body bows when the strings are tightened. If it does, then hang it on the wall. That'll be the only thing you can do with it.

I honestly wouldn't buy an old autoharp through eBay unless I can handle it and try it first, if I wanted to play it.

Tone
Autoharp twanger

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Raina McKenna
Date: 21 Jan 13 - 11:33 PM

Would anyone that has some knowledge of Autoharps please take a look at this autoharp that is listed on eBay for me?

eBay item number#         
290845156776


http://www.ebay.com/itm/290845156776?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

It is listed as an antique and vintage. It caught my eye and I want to know if there is a way to trace the serial numbers etc. Is it worth the asking price?

Thank You for any help that you can provide. There are quite a few pictures on the listing. It is a "The New Golden Autoharp" with a Serial Number of 5317 (Are the Serial Numbers sequential?) Would that make the autoharp kind of rare? I mean would a number 5five thousand three hundred seventeen be rare if there were say twenty thousand made for instance?
Thank You for taking the time to consider my questions.
Raina

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Carolyn
Date: 30 Dec 12 - 11:05 PM

I recently got a 15 chord Oscar Schmidt autoharp model number OS-15BB.The inside label says serial number 880086, 1879-1979. Outside it has a little gold sticker saying made in Korea. What year do you think this was made and what part was made in Korea? Also, if I tighten the black bar screws over the lower sounding strings it does deaden/block the last two strings from ringing. Should I leave the screws (the ones holding the chord bars in)a little untightened? It plays well this way but it is loose!! Thanks

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 01 Jun 12 - 01:03 AM

Sounds like you have an early 1963 Oscar Schmidt autoharp. If we're right it will have a sound hole (discontinued in 1964), the "scroll" logo decal (switched to the "trapezoid" logo in 1964), 36 strings and 12 bars.

How did we do?

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,hg
Date: 31 May 12 - 08:16 PM

Leon hi...
What kind of autoharp do you have? Is it an Oscar Schmidt, a Chromaharp, or some other maker? How many chord bars? What color is it? How many strings? With this information we might be able to help you find out more. A photo would be great!
harpgirl

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Green Man
Date: 31 May 12 - 05:03 AM

My wife was a very good harper and I play guitar and a melodeon. The melodeon and tha autoharp compliment each other really well and produce a glorious sound.

My melodeon does not smell either.

GM

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,leon van egmond
Date: 30 May 12 - 06:32 PM

I just bought an old autoharp,serial number6320, is there some kind of database,where I can look up the model and find out when it was manufactured?

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 10:58 PM

Kimmy:

What is shown in the picture on eBay is an Oscar Schmidt Model 15. That particular logo was used from late 1964 to mid 1967 so that should date it pretty close. During that period, OS made a whole series of 15-bar harps including the 15B, 15EB, 15BH, 15EBH, 15C and 15EBH/R. They all looked similar but had subtle differences. The Model 15EB had no sound hole and it had two different sets of chord bars available, the Newport and the Berkshire. The cord sequence you described is the Newport version.

So, our guess is that you have a mid-sixties OS Model 15EB Newport.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Kimmy
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 05:05 PM

I need a little bit of help figuring out exactly what it is I own. I have an OS autoharp, 36 string, 15 chord. I bought it a few years ago at a junk shop for $20. It came with a blue lined autoharp shaped (not rectangular) case, and the Mother Maybelle records. I have looked under the silver plate at the bottom when I was replacing strings, and didn't find anything to indicate model or a serial number.

The body of the harp is exactly like this one on ebay. What confuses me is the chords on the harp. I really love that when you look right up close, the little knots all over remind me of birds eye maple. It has the same chord bars as the one from ebay, but the chords left to right are: G min, B flat major, A7, C7, D min, F, E7, G7, A min, C, D7, G, C dim, C# dim, D dim. I love the rich sound of this harp, but I find I play my Chromaharp more because the chords seem to work out better for playing in a group.

What I am hoping to find out is how old is this harp? Why isn't there a sounding hole? And is this harp worth getting a 21 chord set for?

Thank you all in advance!
--Kimmy

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bill D
Date: 16 May 11 - 10:14 PM

You need to use Google... I never heard of a Judy harp, but here is one

Picture here

It's just a small zither-like thing with no frets. Tuning is done with some sort of wrench at the top end...not a standard autoharp wrench, but larger hex wrench. (There is one pic there that shows the top)

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST
Date: 16 May 11 - 07:07 PM

What is the Judy Harp? How do you tune it? What do you tune it to?

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 05:45 PM

I have recently purchased "The Jewel" Chromaharp from a swap meet in San Diego, it is in practically perfect condition, looks brand new. My wife got it because she is interested in learning to play the autoharp. Since this particular harp is unique we think it might be best to sell it and get her a more typical one. Does anyone know roughly what the value of this "the Jewel" is and where would be the best place to sell or swap it? or any information at all would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, -Clay Worrell
oh, and my email address is [e-mail]. thanks again

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: jtafaro
Date: 17 Oct 10 - 12:55 PM

I just boucht a Classic OS C/R on ebay for 127 USD. It has a brown chord bar cover but no label. The paperwork that came with it included three price lists from OS dated 1980 to 1982. It is very clean and after cleaning it up and replacing two missing strings it sounds pretty good. The more I play it the more it opens up and the better it sounds. I don't know if the back and top is solid or lainated but I think they might be solid wood and it may have been made in the USA. One day soon I am going to replace the strings and one or two chord bars that I don't use but for now it sounds OK and really stays in tune. I don't have a problem tuning it with the T wrence and an electronic tuner. I doesn't have fine tuners. I play the fiddle and Uke and tuning is not anything new to me. I would like to know it this is an early 1980's harp. When did OS send the manufacturing over seas. I know ukes and mandolins went from here to Japan to Korea and now is done in China. Some of those are realy great.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: DADGBE
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 06:52 PM

Hi Amy,

What color and shape are the buttons?

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 05:48 PM

I have an autoharp that is black 36 strings, 15 chords. It has a trapezoid symbol under the strings with the words Autoharp by Oscar Schmidt. Any idea of its age?
Thanks!
Amy
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 10:50 PM

Generally speaking, you should be able to get a standard autoharp string set from almost any good music shop - they may have to buy them in. If not, they are readily available on the net.

There are two main types, you need to check what style of end is on the strings (other end from the tuners) - more info is readily available about autoharps on here. See links to other threads listed at top of this thread.

Subject: RE: Help: Auto harp Models: History
From: GUEST,samphire
Date: 14 Jul 10 - 12:47 PM

Hi I have an old Muller 26 string, 6 bar Auto harp I picked up in a junk shop, its a bit knocked about but mechanically seems to work fine. Unfortunately half the strings are missing and those that remain are very rusty. Can anyone tell me anything about this beast and also where I could buy replacement strings for it?

Thanks in advance samphire

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,DJ
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 02:47 PM

I have a 10 chord autoharp with no name or numbers on it anywhere to be found. I would like to know if anyone knows who the maker might be and roughly its age.It has four sided square tunning pegs and has 31 strings. If you could e-mail me at [e-mail] I would be able to send a photo of it. I have been to numerous sites, but can not find this model anywhere. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards & thank you
DJ

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,jay kaplan
Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:43 AM

I found an autoharp- oscar schmidt 21 chord model at a thrift store for 40.00 and need to know if there is a serial # or a way to date it. Also I would like to sell or trade it for a guitar for my son as he is more interested in a guitar than an autoharp at 12 yrs old.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bill D
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 09:59 PM

The only reference I can find is that one was auctioned in the UK in 1995. No picture.... It was evidently an uncommon model... no mention of it at http://www.fretlesszithers.com/

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,irma
Date: 02 Jan 10 - 09:36 PM

Does anyone know anything about a 6 bar Sohengrin auto harp ?? Would be interesting to know the history

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Susan of DT
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 02:13 PM

Don - As I mentioned above, I put Oscar Smidt bars on my Chromaharp without any problems, so they must be the same size.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Ron Smith
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 01:36 AM

very lttle infoo On Gordon BAkers Glad Morning harps Any pictures of him why he used 2 strings etc?

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 05:22 PM

Don...Could have been banjo, even though I've got all my teeth, but no stinkin' accordions here.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 10:44 AM

Jeepers Mooh, at least it wasn't a banjo or accordion.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 09:26 AM

Was playing autoharp when a student showed for her guitar lesson last week, now she's shopping for one. I apologized to her parents.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 09:00 AM

Get a five dollar wrench and tune it. Play it and see if you like it.
Sekova was the maker of Chromaharps for quite awhile. They can sound pretty good or be a total dud. As I recall they had slightly different sizes in the bars and felts from what Oscar's had.

Check EBay for values. I'd guess at $100.00 tops but you gotta add lots of value on top of the because it came from Grandma's house. And that value is hard to price out.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,sitandance
Date: 01 Mar 09 - 03:48 AM

I just found a Sekova 15 chord chromaharp in my grandmothers garage. She says it was a gift in the 70's and has never been used. It still has all the original paperwork and says it comes with a tuning wrench, but there doesn't apear to be one. Is it hidden in the harp somewhere like a judy harp tuning wrench? Any ideas of the value of this thing? I don't want to sell it but I don't want to drag it out on the road, chip it at a show and deprive my children, either.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 16 May 07 - 09:39 AM

Don...That's cool.

Bump.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Don Meixner
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:10 PM

Sorry Mooh,

You wrote .."Didn't have as many..." and I read    Didn't have any regards to chords.

Dopey me.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 15 May 07 - 07:18 PM

Don...No, it was an autoharp (or "chorded zither"), played exactly as the Appalachian Autoharp is/was, chord bars and all. Got a picture here somewhere.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Susan of DT
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:52 PM

Bill - pictures would be nice. I have not seen shifters on an autoharp. I'll take a look at your when I am next in your area.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: DonMeixner
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:47 PM

The Appalachain Autoharp was first built on the "A" Model frame around 1964-1966. Sharp corners. Basically an unchanged frame for more than 60 years at that point. The more curvacious "B" mdel folloed a few years later. I have one I bought in 1969. Powerful box for an Autoharp.

The dates are all in Becky Blackleys fine book.

Mooh the one your Mom had sound more like a Zither than an Auto Harp.
Probably had 3 or 4 courses of 4 strings that were tuned as achord. Then an Octave and a half of chromatically tuned strings.

Don

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:30 PM

Jim...Thanks for the detail. My autoharp has wood bars too. I remember that my mother had an autoharp too, except hers was painted black and didn't have as many chord bars (I think)...don't know what happened to that one.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:04 PM

Mooh again,
There used to be a magazine called the Autoharpoholic, that was an excellent source of Autoharp info, kinda like the Banjo Newsletter is for banjos. The editor and driving force behind it, Becky Blackley, decided to persue other interests and in folded. I submitted a few Autoharp tabs of Celtic tunes that were published. One was Blind Mary, a great tune on the Autoharp.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 15 May 07 - 03:00 PM

Mooh,
   Your dad probably got that harp the same year, or the year after they started making them. They were designed by Mike Seeger, Maybelle Carter and another player I'd never heard of. They were first advertised in Sing Out! magazine and you could only get them directly from the factory. A few months later, the demand became greater and they started wholesaling them to stores. I have two of these, one from '66 that has wood chord bars and one from '67 with aluminum chord bars. I have converted them both to semi-diatonic 'harps, and they're my favourites.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,OLD TIMER- GROUCHO
Date: 15 May 07 - 11:44 AM

THE HARPDOCTOR AT   www.harpdoctor.com/   IS WORTH A LOOK FOR ANY ONE WITH ANY KIND OF HARP COMPLAINT, HARP ACHE OR IMPENDING HARP SURGERY, HARP TRANSPLANT OR REPLACEMENT A SPECIALITY .VERY REASONABLY PRICED WORK AND CAREFUL SHIPPING------AND A VERY HELPFUL GUY WITH QUERIES

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Mooh
Date: 15 May 07 - 08:57 AM

It strikes me that there is a lot of potential for the autoharp in "cetic" music (thinking of a very broad definition), but that it's not used so much there. Not sure most folks could endure a full evening of it, but a set or few tunes here and there would be cool. I should try it with my fiddle/guitar duo sometime.

I have a nice Appalachian Autoharp which had been my Dad's. 15 chord bars, all solid wood construction (no laminates) which he purchased for $70.88 in 1966. That would have been a lot of money for a clergyman with 4 kids. It has a hardboard case, the original tuning wrench, and the string pitch template which fits over the tuning pegs to aid in tuning. Sounds and plays pretty good though it could use some felts replaced. It's more complete keys are F and C major but lacks an Em chord which would help it in G or Em. If I ever get around to it, I'll make an Em chord bar for it.

Maybe if rock and roll hadn't happened there'd be lots more zither in the world.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Bill D
Date: 14 May 07 - 12:40 PM

I have 6-7 models of 'autoharp', from the old Zimmerman with shifters to old black ones to strange shaped clones to a standard 21 bar.

Is there enough interest for me to take pics showing various features?

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: Susan of DT
Date: 14 May 07 - 11:04 AM

I bought a 12 chord Oscar Schmidt autoharp in 1967. Its best (most complete) keys were Bb and F. There was another model that had a lot of diminished chords - I never figured out who that was aimed at. There was an Appalachian model with chords that sounded more like what a folkie would want, but it was too expensive for me at the time. There were 15 chord models, but not 21, as far as I know, at the time. In the early 1970s I sold my 12 chord model and got a used 15 chord Sekova ChromAharp. I ordered some extra chord bars from Oscar Schmidt to customize it to keys I wanted to play. At the time I think chord bars they carried cost $2 and ones that were not on any of their models (Em?) cost around $5. I still have that one, but don't play it. I have seen some lovely handmade ones recently.

Subject: RE: Help: Autoharp Models: History
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 13 May 07 - 02:30 PM

harpgirl,
    If you can get a copy of The Autoharp Book by Becky Blackley there are pictures of the shifters and a description of how they were developed. This book is the definative authority on Autoharps.

I seem to prefer the A styles and have two appalachian "A"s and two old black box "A"s. I also have an old Chromaharp. One of the black boxes is chromatic, all the rest are diatonic.