Smartwood Harp Kit Pre-cut Wood Parts: A - Soundboard B - Back C - Feet (2) D - Cap E - Neck Block F - Top G - Scrap for notch H - Neck I - Base J - Base Block...
ASSEMBLING THE FRAME _____2. Begin by assembling the four frame pieces: TOP, BASE, and two SIDES. Th ese parts all have to be ori- ented correctly to fi t well. We have marked the front of some parts with the letter “F” to help you. Th e longer edge of the SIDE piece is the front edge.
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_____6. Find the BASE BLOCK and mark the smallest surface with an “X” and the angled surface with the letter “F”, as shown here. Hold the block with the “X” against the BASE, next to (under) the scrap of wood you taped down as a guide, and center it on your cen- terline.
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_____10. Now is a good time to sign and date the inside of the SOUNDBOARD. Some people add a dedication or message to commemorate a gift occasion. People will ap- preciate knowing the origin of the harp in years to come. _____11.
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_____14. Th e BACK panel is next. Choose which side you want facing out, and draw lines down each side to guide your nailing, just as you did for the SOUND- BOARD. When ready, spread glue around the back of the harp box and position the BACK in place.
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_____18. Look carefully at the long SIDE TRIM pieces. One end of each piece has been cut at a slight angle. Th is allows you to butt the angled end up against the BOTTOM TRIM and have it fi t nicely. Glue each trim piece to the SOUNDBOARD, fl ush to the edge of the box, and use masking tape to hold it in place until the glue dries.
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_____22. When satisfi ed with the fi t, tape the TOP CAP in place, carefully noting the front and back orientation shown here. Th is CAP is slightly oversize, so just leave about equal overhang all the way around. Use an awl or a long nail to punch-mark the location of the two mounting screw holes. then use the 1/8” drill bit provided in the kit to drill these two pilot holes in the top of the harp, as shown.
FINAL FITTING _____26. Once the body of the harp is nicely rounded, you can try fi tting the PILLAR to the bottom of the box to see how it fi ts in the notch at the bottom of the harp. You may need to bevel the front of the pillar a little to get it to fi t fully down into the “pocket”.
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FINAL SANDING & FINISHING _____29. When you are satisfi ed with the fi t of all these parts, unscrew the bolts and screw so you can remove the NECK and PILLAR for fi nal sanding and fi nishing. Sand the entire harp with 180 grit sandpaper to smooth out all machine marks and remove any glue spots or smudges on the outside surface.
_____32. Using the punch marks as a guide - drill pilot holes into the BASE using the 1/8” drill bit. 1/8” Repeat this for the second foot, and then screw the feet in place with the 2 1/2” screws provided. USE NO GLUE on drill bit the feet.
_____37. Assemble the harp back together, using the bolts and screws provided. Th is time you’ll want to tighten the bolts fi rmly to withstand the string tension. NOTE: Th e NECK must be placed on the proper side of the NECK BLOCK, as shown.
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When you come to the fi rst plain nylon string (.050” diameter), push it through from the front of the harp and pull the end partway out the back of the harp, so you can thread a plastic bead onto the string and tie a simple overhand knot, as shown.
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When all the strings are installed, you can tune them up to pitch and allow the instrument to adjust itself to the tension (over 600 pounds). Th e strings should all be tuned to the C major scale (white keys on the piano). All the red strings are C notes and the blue strings are F notes.
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SMART HARP (G2 to G6) SMARTSTRG FULL SET OF 29 STRINGS STRING NOTE GAUGE CODE COLOR LOVELAND VIBRATING SHARPING LENGTH LEVER .025 NYL025 clear 4-1/2” .025 NYL025 blue 5-3/8” .025 NYL025 clear 6-1/8” .025 NYL025 clear 7” .032 NYL032 7-7/8” .032 NYL032 clear...
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Musicmaker’s Kits, Inc. PO Box 2117 Stillwater, MN 55082 651-439-9120 www.harpkit.com...
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