Buying and maintaining an autoharp in the UK is very different from the situation in the USA.
This page tells you about the practical options, and where to find spare parts or
have your autoharp repaired.
"I have an old autoharp with roses on the front. If it looks something like this, the short answer is: "Sorry, not a lot." These 'Rosen' autoharps are not serious musical instruments, and they are definitely not recommended for beginners. As a musical instrument it isn't worth more than about £25... but you may get more for it as a pretty wall-hanging! For more information about 'Rosen' autoharps, download our two-page information sheet from Autoharp Notes. |
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What's best? Where from? How much? Oscar Schmidt? Sonata? Hobgoblin? Second-hand? Ebay?
Download a three-page article reprinted from Autoharp Notes.
We'll also post small ads here from time to time...
You can't buy autoharp spares in UK music shops. For many years the only UK source was Mike Fenton. Since Mike is now spending more time in the USA, Chris Younger has come on board, and also offers a maintenance and repair service.
Supply the full range of new Oscar Schmidt autoharps (to order)
Supply second-hand autoharps (as available)
Supply autoharp spares - strings, felts, springs etc - to install yourself
Supply a wide range of autoharp recordings - including of course his own!
Mike doesn't normally do routine repairs, but we now have someone who does -
Do general autoharp repairs, re-stringing, re-felting etc
Supply spares (including some spares for US luthier instruments)
Supply electronic pickups and fine tuners, and install them if you wish
Build custom-designed autoharps to your own specification: right- or left-handed, chromatic or diatonic (or even ultrachromatic or ultratonic). Be the proud owner of a UK-made autoharp!
Chris also gives a substantial discount on labour costs to UK Autoharps members.
Alec Anness:
has been making custom built Dulcimers for the last 10 years and is now putting his unique skills, craftsmanship and quality into the manufacture of Autoharps.
Alec Anness Autoharps Designer and Maker of British Chromatic & Diatonic Autoharps
72 Wisbech Raod, Littleport, Ely Cambs CB6 1JJ
Telephone - 01353 863442
E Mail - Alec.anness@homecall.co.uk or at www.alecanness.co.uk
All my harps are made from the finest quarter sawn tone woods including a one piece laminated beech pin block. Soundboards can be made from quarter sawn spruce, mahogany and cedar wood (when available) Harp backs are also made of quarter sawn timbers.
My harps are much lighter in weight than most being built today, this is due to my specially designed frame and bracing. The harp body is jig built with a backwards bend to compensate for string tension. Fine tuners (an essential these days) are specially made by a local engineer. Custom inlay bandings and Boxwood stringing to your specification
Prices start at around £650.00 for the basic model (The Griffin)
A special Polish finish is available (Price on application)
In addition to manufacturing autoharps I now carry a stock of spare parts and provide a restringing and repair service.
Budget Harp. The Griffin Price £650
