Early Autoharps with Paul Race

A brief history of American autoharps, with examples, demonstrations, and recommendation. A "Miniature," a "Favorite" (model 2 3/4), a Model 7 7/8ths, and a Model 73 are briefly discussed.

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

G'day! I started playing Autoharp about a year ago. Finally found time to replace the two broken strings on my 21 chord OS. I travelled and wandered around jamming in gold mining towns and mountain pioneer towns in saloons, playing songs people could sing along to. I look forward to hearing more from your channel. All the best! Jerrel

[@cefarther3945]

This was so interesting, enjoyed the video. I was trying to find out the difference between A and B, it is still a mystery to me.

[@paulracemusic]

The last one I"m holding is the most common Type A Autoharp. Notice the sharp corners, and the wire bridge near the tuning pegs. Type B Autoharps have more rounded corners and no bridge near the tuning pegs. I don't profile ANY type B autoharps in this video. There's more information here: creekdontrise.com/acoustic/autoharp/value/autoharp_type_a_or_b.htm

[@wookieecantina]

Wonderfully presented, thank you very much for sharing.

[@paulracemusic]

Errata: I credit Paramount (a sometime zither manufacturer) with manufacturing autoharps after Dolge, but it was "Phonoharp." In fact, the black 5-chord "Favorite" I demonstrate turned out to be a Phonoharp on closer inspection. ALL FOUR companies that owned Autoharp manufacturing in the early 1900s made five-chorders that were virtually identical, though Oscar Schmidt replaced the 1/4/5 chord numbering system with chord names. Sorry for the confusion, but I hope this gives you a general idea of the evolution of thee things. . . .

[@fordjubilee]

Any ideas on where to get strings for an Old Victor Salesman Demonstrator harp?

[@paulracemusic]

First of all, these strings were made by a piano string company, so unless they're missing or seriously rusted, you probably won't need to replace them. When I get an old instrument like that, I clean it up and tune it up before I decide whether it needs new strings. Most of them don't. To give you any specific tips, I'd need to see closeup photos of your harp, including a good photo of where the strings fasten on the end. If you send them to (withheld), I'll take a look. Also, can you measure the distance between the tuning peg and the bottom bridge for both the lowest and highest string. Most instruments in this class used strings similar to those on an OS73 type autoharp; the main difference would be the scale length and maybe bass strings that the OS73 didn't have. So a new set of "Type A" Autoharp strings MIGHT do the job. But I would want to see photographs and measurements before I made a recommendation. Hope that makes sense! - Paul

[@fordjubilee]

@@paulracemusic yes it does... make sense...The Strings were toast... I put a caliper on the ones they were still there.. Ill try and send pics...But I think I'm gonna have to get creative to come anywhere close to them actually working. Salvage out of a old home so we will see Thanks

[@paulracemusic]

@@fordjubilee I'm sure you've seen my e-mail reply by now. Best of luck!

[@DexNeptune]

I have an old autoharp from I think ~1920s that has 10 keys, the lettering and labeling is pretty much worn off. Key G, D, F and what's worn off I'm assuming is Key C? Is there anyway I could email you pictures and maybe you would be able to tell me more about it. Thank you for your video.

[@paulracemusic]

Dex, Thanks for the photos. I have sent you the information you needed directly.