In this family of instruments are many-stringed harp-like folk instruments consisting of a wooden sound box with a straight bridge, and no neck. Strings run more or less parallel to (across) the soundboard, instead of perpendicular like a harp or lyre, and can be bowed, plucked, fretted, or struck with hammers. In this family are found such instruments as the autoharp, Chromaharp, various types of zither, Marxophone, tremoloa, ukelin, guitar-o-lin, kanun, bowed, hammered and plucked psaltery (including hammered dulcimer and related instruments such as tsimbl, cembalo, cymbalom, santoor, santuri, yang chin, etc.), kantele, lap harp, etc.

Ukelins, tremoloas, guitar-o-lins, and other oddball members of the zither family used to be sold door-to-door in the early 20th century. Ukelins are played with a bow (hence the "lin" part of the name) and you can also pluck individual strings near the sound hole (hence the "uke" part). When played with a bow (a 3/4 size fiddle bow works well), bow up the side with the inverted U-shaped hooks. Deals were always cut by the salesmen, which is why they often stamped the price on the label. These instruments show up from time to time at estate auctions and in antique shops, where they can usually be purchased for under $50.

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Autoharp

Some of the following are special order items. Please read this information on special orders.

Our selection of new Oscar Schmidt autoharps has been limited because of varying quality and availability from the manufacturer. We often have a good number of used Oscar Schmidt autoharps in stock -- please contact us for current selection. OS15B
Berkshire 15-chord, 7 keys, traditional button configuration, laminated rock maple pinblock, tobacco sunburst finish. List price: $324.90

$369.90

OS45B
Appalachian 15-chord, 7 keys, traditional button configuration, laminated select ultra-resonant spruce top, maple pinblock, back and frame, natural finish. List price: $399.90

$319.92

OS45C
Appalachian 21-chord, ultra-resonant spruce top, maple back & frame. List price: $429.90

$343.92

OS21C
Classic 21-chord, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, select maple pin block, tobacco sunburst finish. List price: $399.90

$319.92

OS73B
15-chord, 1930's Re-issue. Black finish. List price: $399.90

$319.92

OS73C
21-chord, 1930's Reissue. Black finish. List price: $419.90

$335.92

OS45CE
21-chord Appalachian with electric pickup. 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, laminated select spruce top, maple back and frame, laminated maple pin block, natural finish. List price: $469.90

$375.92

OS30C
Classic 21-chord built into attache case. 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, select maple pin block, brown finish. Lift the lid and play - perfect for the teacher on the go. List price: $449.90

$359.92

OS10015
Centurion 15-chord, 7 keys, patented chord bar configuration, solid spruce top, select hardwood back and frame, natural finish. List price: $499.90

$399.92

OS10021
Centurion 21-chord, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, solid spruce top, select quality hardwood back and frame, natural finish, ultra-resonant cross bracing. List price: $529.90

$423.92

OS11021
21-chord Ozark, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, hardwood top, solid spruce back, wood binding, brown finish. Fine Tuning Bridge. List price: $599.90

$479.92

OS11021FN
21-chord Flame Maple Ozark, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, hardwood top, solid spruce back, wood binding, natural finish. Fine Tuning Bridge. List price: $669.90

$535.92

OS11021FHS
21-chord Flame Maple Ozark, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, hardwood top, solid spruce back, wood binding, Honey Burst finish. Fine Tuning Bridge. List price: $669.90

$535.92

OS11021FTBU
21-chord Flame Maple Ozark, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, hardwood top, solid spruce back, wood binding, burgundy finish. Fine Tuning Bridge. List price: $669.90

$535.92

OS120CN
21-chord Adirondack with Fine Tuning System, 11 keys, patented chord bar configuration, solid spruce top, bird's-eye maple back, abalone inlay on soundhole and edge binding, natural finish. List price: $629.90

$503.92

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Autoharp Accessories

Chord Bars -- available for 15-chord and 21-chord autoharps 15-chord bars -- $9.50 C major C7 D major D minor D7 Eb major E7 F major F7 G major G minor G7 A minor A7 Bb major

21-chord bars -- $9.50 C major C minor C7 D major D minor D7 Eb major E minor E7 F major F7 G major G minor G7 Ab major A major A minor A7 Bb major Bb7 B7

Create your own custom chord bars
For chord bars that are not standard, you can purchase a blank chord bar, a strip of felt, and a blank chord button. Please contact us to order, and specify whether you need 15 or 21 chord materials. We can also have our autoharp technician create custom chord bars for you--contact us for more information.

15-chord conversion kit, incl. chord bars, springs, holders, etc. $105.90

21-chord conversion kit, incl. chord bars, springs, holders, etc. $115.90

Square tip tuning wrench, gooseneck with wooden handle $7.90

Electronic pickup $115.90

Autoharp Cases

Nylon padded gig bag $39.90

We carry many other autoharp parts and supplies.
Please call, email, or write with your request.

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Chromaharp

• Made by Rhythm Band Instruments
• Less expensive alternative to Oscar Schmidt Autoharps
• Cases available, see Autoharp Cases
  

21-Chord Chromaharp $200.00

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Bowed Psaltery

Triangular-shaped chromatic bowed zither type instrument. The unusual arrangement of strings on the frame allows the end portion of each string to be bowed. A small violin bow or special lightweight psaltery bow can be used. More advanced players can also pluck the non-bowed strings for rhythmic effects, or play with double bows: one bow in each hand.



Unicorn

• 30 notes
• Includes bow, rosin, tuning wrench, instructional tape and book, carrying box
• Handmade in Florida
  Diamond (photo)-- $225.00
  Celtic (photo) -- $260.00

Masterworks

• Mahogany soundboard with maple rails and pinblocks
• Fully chromatic
• Includes bow, rosin and tuning wrench
  $279.00
softshell case $60.00

Folkcraft

• Butternut and walnut
• 24 strings
• Includes bow, wrench and rosin
  List price $285.00, our price $256.50
  
  Cordura nylon gig bag in black or burgundy with pockets for bow, rosin and tuning wrench
  $45.00

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Lap Harp

Lap Harps by TK O'Brien, North Carolina

The lap harp is an acoustic, handcrafted folk instrument which can be enjoyed by young students and senior citizens as well as everyone in between. Also known as a plucked psaltery, this trapezoidal shaped musical instrument provides the player with immediate rewards by producing a heavenly sound. Music cards that slip under the strings make playing the lap harp so easy! Simply follow the upward and downward lines and pluck the strings which lay directly over the notes below.

Birch and maple

15 strings

Handcrafted in the U.S.

2 models, standard and deluxe (see below)

Tuned to the key of G

All harps include 12 music cards (see below), pick, tuning wrench, tuning guide, extra wire and user's guide with helpful tips.



Standard Harp Models (Little Picker)
Plain lap harp, great for kids. Includes tuning wrench, pick, extra wire, and music cards (12 songs, mostly American standards, including Oh Susanna, In the Good Old Summertime, She'll be Coming Round the Mountain, Amazing Grace, Swanee River, On Top of Old Smoky, You Are My Sunshine)
Case not included. Order case below.

Additional music card packs are available for $4.50 each: Celtic, Classical, Christmas, Folk, Gospel, Hymns, Old Favorites, Old West, and Romance collections.

$61.00 Birch Walnut+$10.00 Oak+$10.00

Case: Water repellent, foam lined, reinforced nylon. Pocket, strap. $25.00


Deluxe Harp Models

The deluxe is a little longer to accommodate the carved face in center of harp, molded from an original carving by Pat Schwartz. Four beautiful 3-D designs with the look of handcarved wood to choose from. Includes wrench, songsheets, pick, extra wire, helpful tips.
Case not included. Order case above.

Click here to see the Deluxe model and the designs

1. Deluxe Mountain Man Harp: bearded man with cap.
2. Deluxe Wood Spirit Harp: long-haired wood spirit.
3. Deluxe Eagle Spirit Harp: eagle with out-stretched wings.
4. Deluxe Wolf Spirit Harp: wolf as seen from above.

$92.00 Mountain Man Wood Spirit Eagle Spirit Wolf Spirit

Display stand for any lap harp (pictured at right) $13.00


TK O'Brien Song Cards

Additional music card sets for Lap Harps, 12 songs each. Cards are placed under the strings as a guide. List of songs.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These music cards may not fit other brands of Lap Harps such as First Act. However, they can still be used as a guide to play songs on other lap harps -- they just may not fit under the strings.

$4.50 each (choose title) Celtic Children's Favorites Christmas I Christmas II Christmas III Classical Folk Folk II Gospel I Gospel II Hymns I Hymns II Irish Folk Old Favorites I Old Favorites II Old Favorites III Old West Romance

Blank Music Cards -- write your own music for the Lap Harp! Set of 10 cards $3.75

Complete set of Extra Music for O'Brien Lap Harps: 216 cards, 18 volumes with 12 songs each.
An $81.00 value -- only $70.00

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