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Whether you need a single replacement string, or have a harp that needs a completely new stringing regime, I can help.
If you know exactly what you need, I can just send you the wire. If you are not sure, I can try to match a sample of the old wire.
If your harp is unstrung or badly strung, I can work out a new regime for it (see string charts). I can also restring your harp for you. You can even send your harp to me to be restrung and brought up to pitch. Give me a call to discuss what you need.
If you want to read up on stringing principles, try my stringing advice page.
Complete string sets are available for popular models:
Student Trinity stringset, deigned for the HHSI Student Trinity harp, will fit any accurate measured replica of the Trinity College or Queen Mary harps. 21 brass and 9 sterling silver, plus one spare of each gauge. £140. Add £41 to have a wooden toggle wound onto each string.
Malcolm Rose Yellow Brass £1.50 per meter
Suitable for the trebles of low-headed harps, and the entire range on high-headed harps. I have most sizes in stock: 0.40mm, 0.44mm, 0.48mm, 0.52mm, 0.56mm, 0.60mm, 0.65mm, 0.70mm, 0.75mm, 0.80mm, 0.85mm, 0.9mm, 0.95mm, 1.0mm, 1.1mm, 1.2mm. I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Malcolm Rose Red Brass £1.50 per meter
Some people prefer this at the lower end of yellow brass's range. Sizes in stock include from 0.52mm up to 1.2mm. I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Daniel Tokar Latten £15 per meter
Tokar makes this harp wire to a medieval bronze-brass formulation with copper, zinc and tin, casting ingots and drawing it into wire by hand. It is harder and more brittle than harpsichord yellow brass, and gives a brighter, clearer sound to the treble of medieval Gaelic harps. Some sizes may be temporarily unavailable as it is made for me in small batches. I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Malcolm Rose Soft Iron £1.50 per meter
This historical music wire is much softer and kinder on the hands than modern steel music wire. it is useful on high-headed harps when the treble strings are too long for brass to come up to pitch without snapping, or to give a thinner, brighter tone to the treble. Sizes in stock are 0.48mm, 0.52mm. I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Blundells Sterling Silver £12 per meter
(1.1mm & 1.2mm at £15 per meter)
Ideal for the basses of large low-headed harps; can also be used instead of gold for the basses of student or lower-quality small low-headed harps. Sizes in stock usually range from 0.75mm, 0.80mm, 0.9mm, 1.0mm, 1.1mm, 1.2mm. I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Daniel Tokar Sterling Silver £20 per meter
Tokar hand-draws sterling silver to make it extra-hard, suitable for the mid-range of small low-headed harps up to g above middle c. Sizes in stock usually include 0.60mm, 0.65mm, 0.70mm, 0.75mm (nominal sizes, can vary a little as the wire is handmade). I can provide wires complete with a wooden toggle fastened to the end for an extra £1 per string.
Gold £POA
Suitable for the basses of small low-headed harps. I am happy to discuss and advise on gold strings. Due to the bullion value of gold they are generally very expensive (anything up to £200 or more per string, perhaps £600-£900 for the whole bass octave) and there are endless possibilities of carat, composition and hardness most of which are still highly experimental. I don't carry stocks of gold, but will obtain exactly what you need for you. If your budget is big enough we can do the whole bass of your harp in gold wire. Contact me for more information.
Many people are using metal fastenings inside the harp but I prefer the traditional Wooden toggles. I make mine about one inch long from hardwood dowel and do not have problems with the wood crushing or snapping. 30p each on their own, or £1 each wound onto the ends of your strings using the knot shown here. It's always worthwhile having a few extra in your accessories bag!
If your harp has no back access holes you need a thin and a thick wire to fish the strings through the soundholes. Mine are made from brass wire and have soldered end loops on the thin wire. £3 each for thin ones, £1 for thick ones. Supplied with a free sheet of diagrams showing how to use them!
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© Simon Chadwick
First published July 2006.