Some Construction Details
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This photo shows a typical Cunningham harp soundbox
with its round back and in-curved edges. The narrow and rounded upper end rests
very comfortably on the harp player’s shoulder and feels good for the hands as there
are no wide or sharp edges. The bass end of the box flares slightly to enhance the
lower range (like a lute body).
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My harp necks are all constructed from two pieces of
solid wood, finger-joined at the greatest curvature. Some years ago I began inlaying
a brass plate beneath the harmonic curve and since then have not seen a single case
of neck breakage even when a harp falls over (almost always a disaster for the harp
neck!). The photo below shows an example of a prepared neck and mortised column
attachment.
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