So let's say I buy this harp an become very attached to it...would it be possible for me to eventually replace the cardboard soundbox with a wooden one?
Hello! While that is possible to do there are a few factors to be aware of first. If you want to "upgrade" to a wooden soundbox off a pre-built Fireside you'd have to take all the strings off to be able to sand all the glue and cardboard off the back of the string rib before you glue it to another soundbox. Another factor that we've discovered by attaching a wooden soundbox is the change in tone. The current string tension was developed to sound best with the cardboard resonator (it is not as tight as most other harps). If you are to put the frame on a wooden soundbox you'll be wanting to tune your lowest string (Currently G below middle C) to middle C. This is because a wooden soundbox will be requiring more tension for best tone. Given all that...yes! It's possible, but it might just be easier to get another wooden frame and assemble from the start on a wooden soundbox...and then, of course, you'd have two around! And you could have them tuned to different keys! Hope that helped answer your question Stay in touch with us Dave M
@@BackyardMusicSounds thank you! It did, and knowing this has made the decision to buy so much easier! I look forward to doing business with you very soon!
After glueing the Double Strung rib to the soundbox, you'll need to use something like a drill bit that fits the string rib holes...or an unfolded paper clip to poke the holes through the cardboard
Do you have any advice as to how to fix the problem of getting glue in the string holes? At first I thought I could just tap a nail through it to clear the glue but the holes are very small and i'd have to go through the eyelets to avoid being at an angle. Thoughts?
I have used a unwound paper clip....uncoil half of it and it still leaves you much to hold when you push through. Usually you have enough to be able to push in from the top of the string rib
So let's say I buy this harp an become very attached to it...would it be possible for me to eventually replace the cardboard soundbox with a wooden one?
Hello! While that is possible to do there are a few factors to be aware of first. If you want to "upgrade" to a wooden soundbox off a pre-built Fireside you'd have to take all the strings off to be able to sand all the glue and cardboard off the back of the string rib before you glue it to another soundbox. Another factor that we've discovered by attaching a wooden soundbox is the change in tone. The current string tension was developed to sound best with the cardboard resonator (it is not as tight as most other harps). If you are to put the frame on a wooden soundbox you'll be wanting to tune your lowest string (Currently G below middle C) to middle C. This is because a wooden soundbox will be requiring more tension for best tone.
Given all that...yes! It's possible, but it might just be easier to get another wooden frame and assemble from the start on a wooden soundbox...and then, of course, you'd have two around! And you could have them tuned to different keys!
Hope that helped answer your question
Stay in touch with us
Dave M
@@BackyardMusicSounds thank you! It did, and knowing this has made the decision to buy so much easier! I look forward to doing business with you very soon!
@@Earthwise. Glad I could explain!!! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Dave M
Thanks for asking this, as I wondered the same thing!
How do you install the Double String if the two rows of string holes don't match the center gap in the cardboard?
After glueing the Double Strung rib to the soundbox, you'll need to use something like a drill bit that fits the string rib holes...or an unfolded paper clip to poke the holes through the cardboard
what glue do you use?
I use (believe it or not!) Elmers White glue. Elmer wood glue would work also
Do you have any advice as to how to fix the problem of getting glue in the string holes? At first I thought I could just tap a nail through it to clear the glue but the holes are very small and i'd have to go through the eyelets to avoid being at an angle. Thoughts?
I have used a unwound paper clip....uncoil half of it and it still leaves you much to hold when you push through. Usually you have enough to be able to push in from the top of the string rib
@@BackyardMusicSounds Makes sense, thank you. It seems to have worked, will see how the rest of the strings go.