When should you change autoharp strings?

When it gets bad enough, it will be very difficult to achieve satisfactory tuning. Even when the tuner says your strings are in tune, the chords won’t sound right. That is when I change my strings. Change strings one at a time to minimize the change in total string tension on the autoharp body.

How long do autoharp strings last?

After 24 hours the autoharp can be tuned up to pitch again and if you performed all the steps correctly and your autoharp is in good working order, you should be good to go for about 3 years or so.

Can you use guitar strings on an autoharp?

The autoharp needs a special string set. Guitar strings are very poor substitutes. The wound strings of the bass end are the same type as on a piano, on which only the core wire of a wound string contacts the bridges. A guitar string would hang up and break.

What kind of strings does an autoharp use?

Type B model strings are the most common. They have a ball ending with a small hole in the ball. These are used on Autoharps with the bridge that is set in the body and Autoharps with Fine Tuning Systems.

How are autoharp strings numbered?

String positions are numbered by considering the largest, lowest pitched string to be #1. NOTE: String color – Strings #1F-5E are brass in color. Numbers 6F#-14D are steel wound, silver in color. They may be a different color than original strings.

What are Daddario strings made of?

All strings start with the core, the hexagon-shaped wire that is usually high carbon steel, or sometimes nickel. In this area of the plant these coils of wire are stored, labeled and dated. D’Addario doesn’t produce their own raw core wire, but instead imports it from different foundries from around the world.

Is it hard to play an autoharp?

Essentially, the player presses the chord button, strums the strings and gets the intended chord. The relative simplicity of it is what makes it such an easy instrument to learn to play.

How many strings does an autoharp have?

36 strings
Modern autoharps most often have 36 strings, with some examples having as many as 47 strings, and rare 48-string models (such as Orthey Autoharps No. 136, tuned to G and D major).

How do you clean autoharp strings?

The finish on your autoharp can be cleaned by gently wiping it with a microfiber cloth. You can dust the wood underneath the strings using a soft bristle brush. If you use a cleaner or polish, spray or dab the polish directly onto the cloth, then use the cloth to clean your instrument.

Is autoharp easy to learn?

Do you offer single strings for autoharps?

We offer their full line of single autoharp strings for your convenience. Their model A strings are for autoharps built before 1967. The looped ends are made to fit over pins (stringposts) at the bottom of the instrument, which are hidden under a removable plastic cover.

What is the difference between model a and Model B autoharp strings?

Their model A strings are for autoharps built before 1967. The looped ends are made to fit over pins (stringposts) at the bottom of the instrument, which are hidden under a removable plastic cover. Their model B autoharp strings are primarily for instruments built after 1967.

What is the range of the chromatic autoharp in standard tuning?

In this article, we will talk about the chromatic autoharp in standard tuning. The mid-octave range of the chromatic autoharp starts at F, which is the lowest bass note, and then ranging to C at its highest treble note.

What octave is the autoharp tuned to?

On a standard chromatic autoharp, and with this being the standard foundational octave, this is the middle F. As aforementioned, an electronic tuner will prove invaluable when tuning the autoharp; increasing the accuracy of tuning, and allowing for consistent tuning as well.