So.... I'm starting to make some progress on this front!
Normally I'd stick with our habit of keeping the really cool projects under wraps, but since we've several harpers here I'd like to get some feedback while I'm still in the design stage. I made an initial contact with a luthier last year, but life interfered and it had to go on the back burner. Now I'm back on the project - and once I can say "pretty much like this" I'll send off the design thoughts and wait.
I'm looking for a fairly easily carryable lap harp fitting to a Dunedain of the late Third Age. I'm thinking strung with "gut" (probably faux gut, maybe real, maybe nylon) rather than wire, and gothic-style silhouette. Here's some initial thoughts and piece for a pine mockup I roughed out to get the idea of how it might feel in the arms:
- merf-dunedain-harp-00-initialplans.jpg (26.69 KiB) Viewed 13056 times
Assuming a 1/2" string spacing I'm estimating I can get 17 strings - and comparatively deep notes at that, given the sharp soundbox angle of the gothic design. (I've not worked out a proper string chart, but since I'm copying an existing model's proportions I'm assuming it'll mostly work out).
It's got a fairly shallow soundbox, but that's another gothic trait and doesn't seem to impact them poorly. I've not gotten the mockup together yet, but it's feeling like it'll be really sturdy and surprisingly packable. I'm not certain how it'll feel to play though, as shallow as it seems to be: it might feel rather cramped. I'm planning on "stringing" it with fishline once I've the body together to get a feel. If I really don't like it, I'll experiment with opening up the soundbox/pillar angle to an earlier medieval form.
Thoughts before I go any further? Has anyone played "baby gothics" before? Do you think it fits the culture?
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.