Welsh Harp making.

[pren]

Evenin' all. Me again :roll: :lol:

I was having a trawl around a local antiques shop today when I happened upon a Welsh harp. I think it was made from Cherry and was covered in some really intricate carvings on the neck. I was really drawn to the thing but the price tag of £2000 swiftly pushed me back in my box.

I had a bit of a poke around the Internet and it would seem that Harp making is one of those traditional skills that is still largely performed by hairy armed Celts in their small workshops on the side of a mountain somewhere, whilst a beautiful rhian cooks leek and potato stew over an open fire ......

.... well, sort of .

Sorry, where was I....

.... yeah, so, with my Celtic whatsits all aquivver I've decided I really want to have a go at making a Welsh Harp. My wife played one for a few years at school and our wedding march was performed on one, so it's really got hold of me.

I'm positive that my first few hundred attempts will be pure cack but I do love a challenge! :lol:

Has anyone tried making one? What with all the lutheur .... loothyur ... lofyurs ..... guitar makers on here, I'd guess that there should be some transferable skills that might lend themselves to Harp making.

I guess I'm going to have to look further afield than B&Q MDF for this one ... :-k

Cheers,
Bryn

 

[mark_h]

My daughter plays the harp and I thought about making one when we were looking to get a small practice harp for home. I had decided on a kit (available from Morley harps and the Early Music Shop) when we got a nice second hand one of ebay. I did think about making my own, but couldn't find a supplier for all the fittings.

Mark H

 

[Escudo]

Hello Bryn,

Just got back from the valleys myself, few days at Lake V. Excellent as usual. On the subject of Welsh Harp making there was a piece on the telly not long ago about a fella who had made harps all this career and now had a young apprentice.

I think it was country file BBC. Wonder if you could find that clip?

Good luck, very worth while project. To my mind it is very important that these traditional crafts are maintained, what could be better than a homemade welsh harp.

Cheers, Tony.