How Much is My Autoharp/Chromaharp Worth?

A few things you should know:

• Most people looking to purchase used autoharps are players or prospective players. So modern 15- or 21-chord autoharps that look and sound like new will get the most interest.

• There is no real collector's market for used autoharps, even very rare ones. Yes, some folks like me have accumulated unusual autoharps to satisfy their own curiousity, but usually they get them cheap and have trouble even giving them away when they need to "thin the herd."

• Several older autoharp lines, such as the Model 73, were made by the hundreds of thousands, and thousands have survived in restorable condition. So looking old or being old doesn't necessarily increase their value.

• Seasoned autoharp players may pay a little more for a used upgrade instrument, even if it needs minor repairs, but most autoharps that need minor repairs will have trouble attracting buyers.

• In the end, any given autoharp is worth only what a buyer is willing to pay for it at the point of purchase.

Since most people looking for autoharps are looking for something to play, or at least to learn on, that means that they're looking for

• Standard modern setups, which usually mean 15- or 21-chorders. In the case of Oscar Schmidt instruments, that means "Type B" autoharps, made since 1968 (For details on the difference click here.)

• Well-known brands, meaning Oscar Schmidt or Chromaharp. (Ironically Chromaharps are generally more solid than entry-level Oscar Schmidts, but people tend to go for the better-known brand name.)

• "Like-New" appearance.

• "Like New" playability and sound.

So typically a like-new entry-level 21-chord Oscar Schmidt (OS-21C) will go for more than a like-new 21-chord Chromaharp. A like-new 15-chord Oscar Schmidt (OS-15b) will go for more than a like-new 15-chord Chromaharp.

The following table shows the typical comparative resale value for the four entry-level autoharps we're discussing.

OS-21C - Highest Resale	Chromaharp 21-Chorder - Medium Resale
OS-15B - Medium Resale	Chromaharp 15-Chorder - Lowest Resale

Of the four autoharps shown above, only one has "upgrade" models - the Oscar Schmidt 21-chorders. Those will typically have a higher resale value. However, they will mostly appeal to folks who already play autoharp, so it's a smaller market, and you might not find good buyers locally. That's even more true for luthier-built, custom autoharps.

Oscar Schmidt autoharps without the sunburst are generally much older, and less likely to have good strings and felts, but if they're still in "like-new" condition, you should be okay.

Also, If you happen to have an upgrade or custom instrument, you may find buyers who are willing to overlook more scratches, etc. to get a better-sounding or better-playing instrument for a reduced price.

The Acid Test

The price range you might expect to get for an autoharp locally, even a like-new 'harp, depends in part on where you live. People who live where there is a large active acoustic or traditional music community might be more interested in what you have. Where I live (near Springfield, Ohio), only a handful of people are even interested in such things, and there's almost no market.

But you can check things like Craig's List and Facebook Marketplace to see what people are asking locally. If a similar autoharp stays posted for more than a couple weeks, you can assume that's the maximum you could possibly get locally.

The national market is easier to figure, because of auction sites like eBay. Figure out what kind and condition of autoharp you have, then put a "watch" on any similar instruments on eBay. Don't look at what folks are asking - look at what the things actually sell for.

Beware: One scammer advertises "autoharp appraisals." He'll charge you money to do what I just told you how to do for yourself, and generally he'll overvalue your instrument to make you feel better, as most antique appraisers do. But that doesn't actually help you learn what you want to know.

Conclusion

If your autoharp came to you from a beloved family member, it is certainly worth a lot more to you than the dollar value it will probably get if listed for sale.

But when it comes to commercial transactions, other considerations enter the equation. I hope this article will help you to figure out what you need to know about the value of your instrument, even if you're just curious about a family heirloom you'd never dream of selling off.

Best of luck!

Whatever else you get out of our pages, I hope you come away with some great ideas for "sharing the joy."

And please stay in touch!

    - Paul Race

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