About our Celtic Harps
Spirit Talker Harps are built entirely of wood, some harvested on our property in Northern Ontario and other more “exotic” woods are purchased. Marc has used the following woods in his harps: Black Ash, Black Cherry, Spruce, Black Walnut, Eastern Red Cedar, Spanish Cedar, Diamond Willow. The strings are nylon monofilament of varying gauges and lengths. Pins are tapered steel and zither pins are used on the smaller harps.
A Spirit Talker Harp is structured in the simplest way possible to allow its voice to resonate. Spruce is used for the soundboard ( exception - thin ply - has been used to accommodate the player). The pillar is joined to the arm by a traditional bridle joint. The range of sizes in Spirit Talker harps goes from a small lap-harp with 19 strings to a stand-up floor model with 31 strings.
As to finishes: we do not use synthetic (plastic) finishes on our harps. Marc prefers to use a natural finish which feeds the wood while being water-repellent.
Because they are not heavily laminated in their build, Spirit Talker Harps have a sensitive, expressive sound. They make excellent Therapy Harps and also travel well to gigs and gatherings.
Below, you will find information concerning the care of your harp. We hope this will help you keep your harp in good working order for years to come.
Care of your Spirit Talker Harp
Your Celtic harp is all-wood and much like you; it doesn’t like drafts, extreme cold or heat and shouldn’t be left for hours in the sun. Whenever travelling with your harp, make sure it is comfortable and well-cushioned against bumps and scratches. Do not leave it in the car for hours, it likes to be wherever you are…comfortable. Lessen harsh transitions as much as possible by introducing your harp gradually to a change of temperature; this can be done by leaving it in its case or wraps for a little while until it is acclimatized. At home, try to maintain even temperatures and humidity. If your home is too dry or damp, this will also affect your harp and it’s tuning. Also, avoid leaving your harp on uneven flooring, in high-traffic areas or accessible to any pets and crawling children.
Tuning: You want your harp sounding great every day so that it is ready to weave tunes at a moment’s notice! Using an electronic tuner will make this easy by showing you whether a string needs tuning “up” or “down”. Your harp has the same tuning needs as an all-wood classical (acoustic) guitar. Get into the habit of tuning your harp when you sit down to play. Your harp sounds it’s best when in tune.
Make yourself a little “tuning kit” and keep it handy. TIP: keep your tuner and tuning-wrench in a small zippered pouch and always remove one of its (rechargeable) batteries. Some tuners have a pressure-sensitive ON/OFF switch which can waste your batteries leaving you without a tuner when you most need it!
About hands: yours and others! Avoid using hand creams, balms or moisturizers before playing the harp. The residue is not healthy for the nylon strings (not to mention slippery). Over time, the nylon strings may get “oily” from daily use and can pick up grime. Wipe them occasionally between pieces of soft dry cloth (cotton, flannel) in each hand.
Folks - especially the little ones - love to try out your harp. No problem: make sure their hands are clean and show them how to gently strum or pluck the strings…not yank them out sideways!
Your Spirit Talker Harp has been protected with a natural oil finish that feeds the wood and repels water: do not rub it with harsh chemicals or cleaners.
Whenever necessary (I will do this before a gig), dust your harp gently with a soft dry cloth. A single feather is ideal for dusting between the strings and pins.
“Harp-Time!” Finally, designate a quiet spot in your home especially for yourself and your harp; a place to keep your tuning kit and if you read music, your scores and accessories.
We hope you enjoy your harp journey!.
Marc St. Louis & Anne-Marie Smith
(705) 995-0133