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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

Ray,

> Does it sound as good as it  looks? 

I meant to answer this.  What can I say?

Very little have I found more fascinating than the physics of musical 
strings.  You'd think it was a simple matter, thicker strings are lower pitch 
- 
thinner strings are higher pitch, tense strings are higher pitch - lax 
strings are 
lower pitch.  You'd think it was simple .. but  ..noooooo.   In order for 
each 
string to feel about the same when playing the instrument, they have to be 
within a certain range of percent of their total tension.  Also in order to 
deflect each string the same distance (so that you don't pluck the high 
string 1/8 
and inch but have to pluck the base string 2" to get the same sound), the 
tension/length ratio has to be within a fairly narrow range of 1 to 1 up to 
2.5 
to one.  Notice that the harp has a curved soundboard.  Most harps have a 
straight soundboard because it is easier to build.  But with a straight 
soundboard 
the curve of the neck (that holds the tuning pins) becomes too sharp a curve 
at the proper string lenghts.  Most makers compensate by using two or three 
or 
even four different materials for stings which results in a sound I don't 
care 
for.  After doodling with it for years, and noticing that soundboard of the 
harp on the bottle of guiness wasn't flat, I suspected the solution.  Since 
it 
was the last beer in the box, I thought I'd better research a little farther 
and found a photo and scale drawing of the Trinity College harp upon which 
the 
guiness drawing is based.  It has a curved, carved actually, soundboard.  
Those 14th century harp makers knew a thing or two.  So I drew what I 
determined 
to be the ideal band of strings and then drew the harp around it (rather than 
the other way around, which is the more usual).  My woodwork is really just 
support hanging around the strings.

I don't have a sound file, no digital equipment on which to record it.  
You're invited any time to stop by for a Ceilidh and have a Guiness and 
listen to 
the harp.  Or play it.

James