 OS Autoharp String Gauges |
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| OS Autoharp String GaugesWe added this page to our autoharp repair section because so many people who come up with old autoharps are missing only a string or two. Inevitably, certain experts just say, "Order a new set; you'll need them anyway." But that's a pretty big investment if you don't even know if you're going to keep up with it. Or if you're going to like autoharp so much you'll want to save up for a better instrument eventually. Several sources, most especially Greg Schreiber, sell individual strings. By all accounts, Greg's are the best. Can I Substitute a Guitar String? If you only need a string or two, and you're not set on replacing the whole set just now, you might find it convenient to go to your neighborhood music store and buy a guitar string of the same gauge. If the strings on your autoharp are very old, the new string will sound brighter for a time, but eventually sound just as dull as they do - guitar strings aren't made to last for decades like autoharp strings are, after all. That said, guitar strings have helped me through a few situations where I was missing one string and didn't have time to wait for new ones to come in the mail. Also, several of the autoharps I take to clinics for people to borrow have one or two guitar strings, because they suffer worse abuse just being dragged and passed around. The same principle of using guitar strings temporarily applies to all other autoharps as well, of course, but I don't have a chart listing the string gauges of those. So take your autoharp in and ask the salesperson to find a guitar string that is between the two remaining strings in width. Why Autoharp Strings are Better in the Long Run - If your autoharp is newer, or if it's been stored properly and the strings still sound bright, you should probably order a legitimate autoharp string to replace the missing string. In that case you also need to know whether your autoharp is a "Type A" or a "Type B" because the way the strings fasten is different. Click here if you're not sure of the difference. The differences between autoharp and guitar strings include the fact that autoharp strings are made better, period. Also, the winding on the "wound" autoharp strings doesn't cross the bridges like it does on guitar strings. On an autoharp, which has a shorter distance between the bridges or bridge pins, this allows the strings to vibrate more freely. Winding issues don't affect the "non-wound" strings, of course. A gauge 22 (unwound) guitar string will substitute better on your autoharp than a gauge 46 (wound) string. But a true autoharp string will still sound good longer in most situations. String Gauge Chart - The following chart shows the string gauges used on most full-sized Oscar Schmidt instruments, including Type A (such as the Model 73) and Type B (most O.S. autoharps made since 1970. (Click here to see the difference.) If you are ordering autoharp strings, you have to know which kind of autoharp you have. The string gauges are the same, but the way they attach to your autoharp is different.
In addition, our articles on tweaking and reconfiguring autoharps also offer some tips that may help you get through repairs regarding chord bars, springs, etc. As I have time, I'll write more specifically about these problems and others you may encounter. In the meantime, I hope our available articles help answer your questions about these under-rated instruments.
And please stay in touch! - Paul Race
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