Anchors Away: Oscar Schmidt design flaw, fix it or lose it.

We are seeing a 50% failure rate on both the old and the new Model B autoharps, because of the design flaws in the anchor. It's not an easy fix, but it can be done.
www.halweeks.com
/ halweeks
Here's the dremel bit you need: Core box router bit 617

[@catherineballew4548]

Thank you so much for sharing this, Hal! I have read about doing this before, but as a visual learner, I didn't feel prepared to do it without seeing it done. This is invaluable!

[@claudiagregory5663]

Thank you so much for this info. I'm going to have a luthier friend of mine help me. I have a 1979 Oscar Schmidt B model that I bought for $65 off ebay!! The sound is amazing!! You are so right, they sound so much better than the newer harps. In fact, when I was a beginner and taking lessons, my teacher offered to trade me her new harp for my old harp and I turned her down and I'm so glad I did! Thanks again for the information.

[@dochoward00001]

Thanks Hal! I'm really glad to see that you have this whole process on video. It does look scary! I'll muster up my courage but only after watching multiple times. There's a lot of note-taking to do to get this right, and I'd rather watch a video while taking notes than getting it wrong.

[@phoozchic]

Thank you! Your video was helpful! We were able to reinforce an OS15B model using your video and drill bits rather than routing with a Dremel and it came out great. It had very little warping but since it was a thrift shop find, it was a good trial piece and now it plays very nice. I have another OS15B that is not warped at all and we’ll keep and eye on it and reinforce when we get a new set of strings for it. These two harps seem to be about the same age (1970s?) but one has wooden feet and the other has black plastic. Back around 1971, I bought a brand new OS15B and the finish was much darker than these. Does the lighter finish date these as newer? Again, thank you for a great tutorial.

[@Iknowonlywhatimtaught]

Thank you Hal Weeks. Very informative. Since I just bought a used autoharp I will be looking for this problem once I get the delivery tomorrow or Thursday. Hopefully it shows no signs of this damage. I just need it to get me through a year so I can upgrade. Cheers.

[@waynedavies3185]

Thanks for this important info. I just picked a "Model B" harp couple of weeks ago, that was dropped by it's past owner, and had damage on both it's face and back sections. I easily corrected the face issues, with no problem, but there is a long crack in the back section, where it hit an object. To repair this, I'll need to remove, or loosen up the strings to get inside, and apply a few cleats. I checked the bridge and no signs of problems with the issue to showed, and stated, has occurred yet. It is an Oscar Schmidt harp, and while I have the harp's strings loosened off to repair it's back crack, I will take no chances and make the modification shown in this video, so this isue doesn't occur on my harp in the future. I have 3 other harps, but they all are designed differently at the bridge area, so I see no issues regarding what you have shown here with them, but I will still keep a careful watch just the same, for issues that might occur. I picked this damaged Model B harp up for $50 at a second hand store, and it sounds great when strummed, after it's face repair. I'll both repair the long crack, from the bump it got, and repair the issue you stated in your video at the same time. This harp, and all my other harps, will outlast my lifetime, as with all my stringed instruments, that get a lot of TLC.. Thanks for the video.

[@kimadams2995]

Thanks, Hal. I have a B model in what seems to be pretty good shape; in fact, I now have TWO B models, having bought a second one from a thrift store this morning: it's top is dished a 1/4 inch at the lowest spot, so I'm guessing it's toast....but it has a lot of good parts on it (even strings in better shape than mine) so I now have a practise shot at this repair before I do it to the precious... Appreciate your how-to, as there is no way I could afford to get it down to D'Aigle, and a good autoharp is a terrible thing to waste.

[@MilanorTSW200]

I have a Model B harp and I should definitely get that checked out! Does installing fine tuners fix this issue?

[@wildautoharp]

Yeah that'd do it as long as there wasnt damage already

[@AlesMav]

Hi Hal, thank you for the great fixing tutorial. In the description it says that this issue is most common with B model autoharps, however in the video you show an example of issue on a C model. So C model has the same failure rate as the B model then? Asking as I just ordered my first autoharp which is a OS21C so not sure if I can expect this issue to come up as well.. I wonder if Oscar Schmidt has acknowledged this issue and did a fix on the newer batch of these instruments.

[@wildautoharp]

Both the C model and the B model have the B style body. It's the chord bars that make a C a C or a B a B. So it's a B style body and anchor. I was JUST trying to explain this to our intern here at the Autoharp shop! Timely question.

[@AlesMav]

@@wildautoharp Thank you, that makes much more sense now. I guess it's best I check if the anchor has been upgraded by OS in any way since you posted the video, if not then do the modification as soon as possible...

[@wildautoharp]

@@AlesMav Hi there. Oscar Schmidt hasn't done anything to improve the situation. It's a shame...but I don't think they care. It would take too much money out of their wallet, and their prices would rise to where they were losing their price point in the market. They basically don't acknowledge the problem.

[@AlesMav]

@@wildautoharp Ah, that's too bad :( I just received the brand new OS21C. Quite expensive here in EU - cca $750 with shipping. I removed the metal cover and the anchor only has one screw going into the wood at the bottom (in the middle)..Doesn't seem to have the anchor tilting issue yet, but maybe I should still put some extra screws in there soon like your video suggests..

[@Speedro07]

From a mechanical physics perspective, the string anchor appears to act as a lever. Therefore, the force could be decided by the distance from the fulcrum's location and the ratio from each side. My first impression is that the part of the string anchor that lies on the top should have been longer, depending on the type of wood chosen. I expect those are chosen by resonance and not by strength.

[@wildautoharp]

Problem is it's hollow underneath any further out under the top. 60 years of 1200 lbs of pull either causes the load bearing edge to crush; creating both an angle for the anchor to ride up and out...that is, wiggle room, or it makes the opposite edge push our against the butt joint and the tongue and groove joint starts sliding out like a drawer pushed out from the rear...wiggle room again. It was a good design while it lasted....but now it's not.

[@omkirtan5684]

I’ve been very attracted to learning how to play Autoheart. I am a musician already. What brand or type of autoharp Do you suggest?

[@DougKing4416]

Did you consider going through the rear and using plugs to cover the screws?

[@DougKing4416]

Now I'm thinking lonnnnng screws and wrong angle to provide proper support.

[@lindaberg1695]

Very helpful & vital information! Thanks Hal!

[@tamarascherette4946]

Ugh! Seeing the Dremel sink into the wood gave me some serious anxiety. Theoretically, I understand what is what. It just looks scary.

[@quinn4626]

Thanks for sharing this video, Hal! Do you know if Chromaharps are vulnerable to this same issue?

[@wildautoharp]

No they aren't.

[@quinn4626]

@wildautoharp Appreciate the quick response! Thanks again, Hal!

[@miorieser3210]

Perfekt! Welchen Tonabnehmer verwenden Sie? BG MR

[@Name-ot3xw]

Conveniently, I was trying to figure out what the heck to call that thing.

[@LanceEdwardLeichtle]

Where did you get your autoharp at? I want one like that

[@kellmerWF52]

Wow! if you can fix an OS you are truely a genuis

[@sonargastp.5798]

What about pouring half an inch of epoxy into the groove instead?

[@wildautoharp]

Maybe. You'd have to keep it clear of the string grooves. If it didn't work it'd be too late.

[@sonargastp.5798]

@@wildautoharp Guess you are right - with an instrument that is worth repairing one should take care that any surgeries outcome is as reversable as possible...

[@kellmerWF52]

@@sonargastp.5798 it is simple. buy a better autoharp

[@waynedavies3185]

I might add Hall, my oldest harp was made back in the early 1930's, and is in super playing condition.

[@kishascape]

Yeah long as you actually take care of it, not an issue.

[@miahoover9225]

Does it matter which Dremmel you buy? I don't own one.

[@wildautoharp]

Well probably not. I once bought a Black and Decker that was better than the dreml brand. Especially if you only use it occasionally. Rotary tools are extremely useful for many things...sorta like the food processor of the tool world. But if only for this one job it doesn't have to last forever. I on the other hand have done this to at least 100 harps now. Had to replace the brushes in the dreml motor eventually.

[@susanstevenson6079]

Thanks for this Hal. By any chance do you know of anyone in Winnipeg, MB, Canada who does this kind of repair/fix? Just inherited a OS Model 15BH which appears to be suffering from this issue. Not sure I'm cut out for this kind of repair. Thanks in advance.

[@waynedavies3185]

If you use a Dremel tool, cut into the wood very lightly, moving in the opposite direction of the Dremel tools spin. The slower, and lighter you dig into the wood, there's less chance of making any mistakes. In other words, don't try and dig out the wood quickly. It may take you a bit longer doing the cutting, but less chance of making a serious mistake. I suggest trying doing the same thing on a piece of scrap wood, before you begin with your harp. With lots of practice on scrap wood before hand, you do the job well in the end. Good luck.

[@Popcorn_Kernel]

I have a 1975 Os Appalachian Autoharp and the only problem Ive seen if felt falling off and my stupidity on restringing

[@DougKing4416]

I used a Forrester bit instead of a Dremel. Otherwise following your lead.

[@omkirtan5684]

Consider making an autoharp out of one piece of carbon fiber where the bridge is part of the body. Problem solved. Like the ENYA Nova go carbon fiber guitar.

[@barbaradace7952]

Am I correct that the screws are *not* actually biting into the anchor bar, but the underside of each screw head is pushing down on the edge of the anchor bar to prevent its pulling away from the body of the autoharp beneath it? Also, I saw you’re using 1/8” drill bit and drilling 1/2” deep, at what looks to be a 45 degree angle...but what size are the screws, exactly? Are they sheet metal screws (like the box appears to say)? Also, would a small chisel do to make the screwdriver access opening, or would that be a no-no? Thanks!