Organology

Harp Guitar Form 4
by Gregg Miner

Body harp string attachment. 
The harp strings are attached at both ends to the body of the guitar. Most often occurs in conjunction with other forms.

NOTE: The body strings, while appearing and acting "sympathetic" are believed to be strummed or plucked on the instruments in this Gallery. Instruments with strings believed to be resonant only are on the Sympathetic Guitars page.

NOTE TO RESEARCHERS:  Please understand that many of the instruments on this page were not originally referred to as "harp guitars."
To understand why they are classified as such today, it is imperative that you first thoroughly read and comprehend the site author's thesis.

See bottom of page for image copyright information

Schaeffer, 1890,
Pat #421,033		 Lyon & Healy Washburn, c.1889 Bohmann, c.1890s Jacob-Damien 
Rosenberger-Margot,
Lausanne, Switzerland, 
Aug 8, 1894
Patent # 9,054		 Same, from German patent # 88,772
Mickey Fisher, c.1970. Combo of regular guitar and a zither creates a marginal Form 4 Michael Sanden, ca.1993 William Eaton 26-string Elesian Harmonium Oakwood Instruments, U.K., copy of Eaton design
Mitsuhiro Uchida

(6 + 12 diatonic)

 Mitsuhiro Uchida

(12 [chord] +6 
+12 [diatonic])

"Player" Oct. 1995, photographer: Tomuji Ohtani

 Pierre Lamour (France, 2005) Unknown
(for the band Outside the Door)
Wechter, c.1975
custom instrument for John McLaughlin

Originally designed as sympathetic strings only, resonance problems dictated that the extra bank be strummed (which John does)

 Jol Dantzig of Hamer Guitars (built for Andy Summers)
Guitarp, 1983, commissioned by Phil deGruy, built by Jimmy Foster Guitarp, 1997, designed and built by Ralph Novak Steve Klein Steve Klein. 2006
(for Jeff Doctorow)
Tomek Martyniak. 2006
Martin Schneider, 2006
See also Featured Player of the Month, 9-04

These Klein instruments - especially the one on the right - are heading toward Form 5, with mini "harp frames" extending out of the body.

 

To

What is a Harp Guitar?

To

Harp Guitar Family Tree

Back To

Photo Reference Library of Examples.

 

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