Harp Regulation at Somerset 2011

[Kathy DeAngelo]

Hi Everyone: Bill Grant, a certified harp technician for Lyon & Healy and Salvi, will be doing harp regulation at Somerset from July 14-17, 2011--that's next summer. Please contact Bill through this discussion forum to schedule your appointment.

[Kathy DeAngelo]

Never underestimate the impact of a set of new strings on the sound of your harp. For the cost of the strings and the time to change them, or better yet get someone else to change them, it's like getting a new instrument. You sort of get used to the sound of your harp and as it degrades over time with old strings you get used to that--because the change is slow. But wow! Get those new babies on there and your playing will sound so much more exciting! I might be exaggerating a little bit, but not much.

I was shamed into getting the strings on my Azliz changed after Corinna Hewatt (see her video on this website of her performance at Somerset 2008--that's my harp she's playing) told the audience from the stage that I never changed my strings. She was borrowing my harp for her workshops and then the concert and at the sound check decided she couldn't stand some of the upper register strings any more and went through the harp case, found my spares, and changed a few of them. So during her concert set she was, of course, tuning them up constantly. She good naturedly made fun of my never changing my strings, and the audience, in fun, gasped in horror. Well, when I got home after the festival I really did change all the strings (actually, I got a former student to do it) and wow, what a change.

[Bill Grant]

When you raise a lever on your harp, it is expected that the string will be raised by one half step. The best way to know that your harp needs regulating is to first make sure that the instrument is in tune with all levers down. Using your electronic tuner, raise the lever on each string one at a time and check the tuning. If the half step is too sharp or too flat, your harp needs regulating. Over time, the levers become loose and cause buzzing in the strings.The process of regulating also involves geting rid of those unwanted buzzes.

Bill Grant

Debbie Stackrow said:

I bought a used Rick Rubarth Merlin 34 string harp last year, estimated to be about 4 years old now. How can I tell if it needs regulated? I will be at the festival from Thursday late afternoon to Sunday.

[Susan Saphire]

Hi Bill,

 

   I have an older DS FH32 and would like to have it regulated and strings replaced as needed. I have a set available. Might you be able to fit me into your schedule?  I'll be at the festival from Thursday afternoon. 

 

Susan Saphire

 

 

[Bill Grant]

Hi Susan,

Can you email me at: [e-mail] so that I can put you on my email list to receive scheduling for the festival.

 

Thank you

Bill

[Pamela Stohrer]

Does Bill charge by the hour, or by the task?

[Bill Grant]

Hi Pamela,

I charge by the task, regulation: $150.00; Re-string:$175.00. contact me at [e-mail] to schedule an appointment during the Festival.

Pamela Stohrer said:

Does Bill charge by the hour, or by the task?

[Pamela Stohrer]

Hmmm, thanks for the info. Let me see how the $$$ situation is as we get closer to July........