John Stropes and the Harp Guitar

John Stropes

Our most recent feature is someone who most of us perhaps rarely think of as a “harp guitarist,” and yet he has had a longer relationship with the instrument than the vast majority of us.

Of course, his biggest contribution to the harp guitar world was creating and publishing transcriptions of the works of Michael Hedges, who, after more than four decades, arguably remains the most famous and popular harp guitar player of all time.

John with his Dyer Style 8

John and Michael

For these reasons, I personally consider John “Harp Guitar Royalty.” And this was before I learned that both of his grandparents played the instrument!

We’ve still never met (a Gathering appearance is long overdue, John!), but once I started Harpguitars.net, we soon found reason enough to become friends and colleagues. It also didn’t hurt that we shared a special friend – Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra’s Paul Ruppa.

Over the years, we’ve shared information, answered questions of each other, and generally supported each other’s efforts. When John recently published a new article this last January 2025 on his special relationship with the instrument, I felt it was the perfect time to finally feature him, suggesting first that we archive his historic article on this site as well (link below).

I then asked my friend and Harpguitars.net right-hand man Frank Doucette to write the formal feature article about John, as he’s known him since 1991. (And when you read Frank’s recollections, you’ll realize that he enjoys his own historical standing!)

Enjoy! - Sir Gregory

John Stropes

by Frank Doucette

“Because It’s There,” harp guitars, The Shape of the Land, 植村直己物語, 冰峰物语, and Lost in the Wilderness
by John Stropes