Harp Body

This finished body awaits it’s harmonic curve and pillar. Will it be a Thormahlen Swan or a Ceili Mor? It could be either, since both of these models use the same body structure.

Harmonic Curve

Several laminated pin blocks are ready to be sandwiched between the outer layers that will match the rest of the harp to which they are applied.

Templates

 These templates hanging on the wall chronicle the models through the years.

Form and Clamp

Next to this form are hanging bicycle tire inner tubes. After the wood is fitted and glued around this form, everything is “clamped” into place with the inner tubes to be positioned securely until dry. This seems to be a preferred method for many harp builders.

The Shop

Next, I got a chance to see the birthplace of these magnificent harps. Quite a shop!

Sharon Thormahlen

One of the wonderful parts of this visit was listening to Sharon Thormahlen play some of her compositions. It gives you the chance to hear the harp from the audience perspective. It is important to hear how a harp sounds from the audience vantage point as well as the “driver’s seat”. 

Listening to Sharon Thormahlen Play

Sharon Thormahlen Playing Gut Strung Koa Swan

Thormahlen Swan

Pictured here is the Thormahlen Swan made of Koa and strung in folk gut. I loved the feel of this harp and the warm tone. I’m also pleased with Thormahlen’s new Ceili model harp strung in carbon fiber. I first played one these when Kathy Chanick brought hers to Harper’s Ferry last fall.

Thormahlen Harps

The next day, we drove 3 hours to Thormahlen Harps. This was a great time to visit, because they have 5 harps available that they are showing Harp Con in St. Louis in August.