After seeing videos of Hedges and McKee playing harp guitars I was inspired to try making a custom version that would closely emulate the versatility and range (not so much the look) of a "real" harp guitar. Buying a new classical guitar gave me the opportunity to indulge in my curiosity. I took my old classical guitar, and after messing around with some pieces of wood, tools, and different types of glues, this is the result:



I haven't put the standard strings on it yet, and probably won't until I'm done working on the harp part. But, I know what some of you may be thinking... "what were you smoking?" Like I said, I wanted the versatility and range, and this was the best option. Anyway, this expanded my range to a low A, but the problem is in my strings. Since I am using nylon strings, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd (or 7th, 8th, 9th... whichever) hold their pitch very well when plucked. However, the lower two - which are tuned to low B and A, sound like poo.

Any suggestions? I would like to not use steel strings, but I don't know what to consider for a thicker gauge string. Cello strings, maybe?Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!

dang dude!! you did that? i'm very much in awe of you at the moment. lol.

i'm not much of a know it all when it comes to this stuff but it seems that a logical choice would be the cello strings on the bottom as they are made a little differently and might hold a lower tuning like A and B better than most. just a though

ask TX








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Current Setup: Stratocaster -> Tuner -> Wah -> Delay -> Vox AC30CC2 -> Your Ears

benitosuave wrote:

ask TX

lol

it may have to do with the tuning pegs. I'm not sure if most harp guitars have tuning pegs that you can tune by hand, without some kind of wrench. but idk








_________________
Current Setup: Stratocaster -> Tuner -> Wah -> Delay -> Vox AC30CC2 -> Your Ears

cool...
any keys will do fine...
But you really need more string length, or it will not have sustain or volume..
you really should use bronze bass strings..or you can order online Harp guitar strings, they have a small ball end. Or get single acoustic guitar strings.
you will have alot more volume with bronze.
because of the size of your harp you maybe need somewhere around 42,48,52,60,60 gauges.
I have never seen one like this .....pretty cool though.
I have done some custom work on several full size Harps guitars.
I guess this will give you those bass notes your looking for.
did you add any braces? be careful if the tension is high.
the lower tuned string generally will have a longer string length than the higher tuned one's to maintain tension.
K&K pickups are a good easy and cheaper way to amplify this thing.
witch might do well for bringing the B and A up in the mix.

If you made the "harp headstock" come up and longer on the bass side, giving you a longer string length there, you will have greater success.








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www.myspace.com/studiomojo
www.myspace.com/laststrikekaty
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None of these "opinions" are representative of Great Southern Music.
They are my personal opinions.

Thanks for the advice. I guess I should've talked with some one who knew what they were doing before I started this thing, lol. I'll try the bronze strings. Thanks, again. I'll post the finish product.

Cheers.








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If it's got strings, then it's probably cool.