More of those moraharpas...

Out of hibernation early just in time to upload some pics of my latest moraharpas. 4 playing strings, two rows of keys, Wittner geared cello pegs, 405mm scale length with various tuning configurations...

These are spoken for, but if you are interested in commissioning one just email me direct at joelmerriner@hotmail.co.uk

Keyed fiddle pictures

 

More photos of my keyed fiddle nyckelharpa-moraharpa hybrid, Since these photos were taken I've changed the tangents from simple wooden style to screw -in type to allow easy fine tuning

Keyed fiddle on the go

More pics of the latest keyed fiddle, awaiting the last couple of coats of varnish, with tangents, bridge and tuning pegs to be carved next

 

Single row of keys but multiple tangents on each key as found in some older instruments.

Hole on the treble side of soundboard is for the through-the-heart style of bridge where the treble foot passes through to the back of instrument and acts as a sounpost. Something found in old crwths and similar instruments.

Harpa peg head in progress

2 melody strings, 1 drone string, 10 sympathetics, much hole reaming to be done!

More Harpas

Moraharpa number 1 is long since finished.

I was quite pleased with the way he turned out, small and compact, almost like a travel harpa or lightweight instrument for a younger player. Have been playing him for a few weeks and the sound is good, mellow but with some bite. However he was very much a combination of different aspects, a little bit of moraharpa here,(single row, multiple tangent per key)) a bit of nyckelharpa there (guitar tuners, sympathetics). Harpa number 2 which I have been working on for a while is based more solidly on a single style of instrument, namely the kontrabassharpa. There are 3 playing strings, 10 sympathetic strings on this guy, but no guitar tuners only pegs. Single row almost chromatic. Much more flowing shape. I'm also going for an all gut sound, so the resonance strings are going to be nylgut rather than steel... pictures to come

Moraharpa build pics

Some pictures of my new moraharpa in progress... much planing, scraping and drilling to ensue

Moraharpa build underway

After several months delay I finally have a prototype moraharpa, or scandanavian keyed fiddle growing on my workbench. It's a creature of my own design, inspired by the classic historical harpas but with a little twist of nyckelharpa thrown in for good measure. It's diatonic, 345mm scale length, so in the fiddle voice range, two playing strings (GD), one or two drone strings plus a number of sympathetic ringing strings.. One row of keys but several of the keys have sport two tangents allowing certain melodies to be played on two strings at once, a fifth apart.. Woods used include reclaimed pine, ash, birch, and mahogany.

Build progress photos to follow...