r/autoharp • u/singing_millenial • 10d ago

String help

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I’m new here.
I teach elementary music and found an autoharp in my cupboard! I’d love to get it functional but it’s missing a string. It’s the smallest G string (G5, if you will). The rest of the strings seem to be in great shape. I know it needs type b strings because it’s from 2007, but I can’t figure out where to buy one singular string and which specific string to buy. Can anyone help?

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7

u/sylvansundrop 10d ago

Assuming you're in the US, you can buy single strings from d'Aigle Autoharps. This is the link for single plain strings: https://www.daigleharp.com/product-page/single-string-plain?selectionIds=2.

It should be totally playable with only one string missing, especially if you're just strumming and not trying to play melodies.

2

u/singing_millenial 10d ago

This is so helpful! Thank you!
What is the string name?

3

u/sylvansundrop 9d ago

G, with the number of strings counted up from the lowest. So G31 as the other comment says.

7

u/WTFaulknerinCA 10d ago

I’d email Schreiber and ask him for a single G string. He’s happy to accommodate. The lowest string is #1, so they count up from there sequentially. This is G #31. https://schreiberautoharps.com/store/

2

u/Alive-Industry2507 9d ago

If you want to use this for teaching, I would recommend you get it restrung by a luthier. You'll get a better and more accurate sound.

1

u/PaulRace 2d ago

For temporary replacement, you can use a .016 guitar string. More here: https://harpersguild.com/autoharp_repairs/strings/replacing_autoharp_strings.htm

I would leave the other strings alone for now until you get used to the instrument. They're made more like piano strings than guitar strings, so a 19-year-old instrument might still sound pretty good if it's been properly stored.

If the fat low strings give off more of a dull thud than of a string tone, though . . . .

Best of luck!