Home (2022) version 2 Forums Harp Care & Maintenance Putting on a new string

  • Putting on a new string

    Posted by Felicity Cunliffe on 21 June, 2021 at 9:57 pm

    Hi, I have just replaced my first string since playing for 6 months. But I would like to know why it keeps slipping off the groove in the bridge pin, what am I doing wrong? I have watched several you tube videos but none seem to mention this problem Thank you for any advice.

    Felicity

    Claire Lécuyer replied 2 years, 7 months ago 5 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • Claire Lécuyer

    Member
    22 June, 2021 at 5:35 pm

    Hi Felicity, maybe you could post a photo of your problem?

    I changed my first string 3 months ago, all was fine (it just took a lot of time to keep a stable tone), and today it broke as I was not even playing… It seems that I did something wrong with the knot, because the string broke exactly on the knot 😓 Now I have to wait for receiving a new one…

    • Felicity Cunliffe

      Member
      3 July, 2021 at 10:10 pm

      Thanks for your comment. Fortunately the problem seems to have sorted itself out, it is not happening anymore. I found tying the knot very fiddly and difficult, it took me a while. Hopefully by now you will have got yours sorted.

  • Katharina Kleidosty

    Member
    23 June, 2021 at 10:27 am

    Is it something like this? https://youtu.be/C-9KLiNEc64

    I had that problem after changing that string back in December. You may notice that in my case, the changed string had a lot more coils around the tuning peg than the other strings, and that messed with the angle or distance from the groove, which made the string pop out when I tried to lift the lever. Luckily, this was only a temporary replacement string that I only had for a month before I got the proper bio-carbon string that I needed, and I had my husband help me change the string and pull it quite taut so I had fewer coils around the peg. I also had a look at Josh Layne’s instructional video on “how to regulate your harp” and fiddled around a bit with the lever and peg until it worked again and also had the correct semitone pitch.

    • Felicity Cunliffe

      Member
      3 July, 2021 at 10:12 pm

      Hi Katharina, thank you for taking the time to reply. No this wasn’t my problem, mine was that the string kept slipping off the guide in the bridge pin but fortunately it seems to have sorted itself out now and its not happening and the string is fine.

  • Anna Ritchie

    Member
    20 July, 2021 at 8:24 pm

    I just replaced another string on my harp. To be fair, the harp was stored in an attic for years before i bought it and i probably should have replaced all of them (i did order a full set). Replacing a few all at once was intimidating enough though, so i’ve been replacing them as they snap (and they have most definitely been snapping). I always find it intimidating and i think i look at the video and guide every time i do it. THIS time it seems to have gone on without a hitch. The humidity and temperature have been oscillating like crazing this summer though, so it may be time for another string order.

    I’m tempted to try and build an instrument frame for use with the old strings. maybe just a box with nails that you pluck?

  • Miriam Bennett

    Member
    2 August, 2021 at 5:00 pm

    My mom just had to replace my G string, right above middle C. It plays well, however, when I lift my lever the tone remains on G, it doesn’t change to G#. Any tips?

    • Claire Lécuyer

      Member
      2 August, 2021 at 7:00 pm

      Hi Felicity, I would say that the string isn’t on the right side of the lever; you/she should look carefully if the string follow the same way than others around the lever. If not, you would have to make it loose enough to put it on the other side. I hope that it’s clear ^^

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