OK, 27 new builders to go…need I say that the harp guitar craze has escalated?!

This batch includes 14 that I just added to the Luthier page with individual entries for each.  It’s always hard to decide when to put up (or remove), and in what section.  So for now, I’m adding pretty much everyone that may theoretically be willing and able to build a new instrument similar to what is shown.

This is done for the benefit of the harp guitar shopping and researching public, and as a courtesy to the luthiers.  As always, I greatly appreciate the input and support of the individual luthiers where provided.  I encourage all those who prefer to sit on the sidelines to say hello and send photos of your instrument(s) and yourself for our “public service resource” page.  Several builders have acknowledged getting multiple orders from their inclusion on Harpguitars.net, a nice benefit from a free “promotional spot.”

I placed (somewhat arbitrarily) 3 of the new guys in the first section of “Dedicated Harp Guitar Builders” – meaning these individuals have built multiple instruments and will (or can) continue to do so – even if they, and/or their instruments remain obscure and esoteric.

We start with Alan Carruth, of recent notoriety with his inimitable “literal” harp guitar, and follow-up hollow arm creation.  Al tells me he had earlier built 2 harp guitars, one a custom Gibson-like HG (whereabouts) unknown) and an early “arch-guitar” for Elliott Gibbons

“The Beast”

“The Beastess”

Next is Yuri Landman from Amsterdam, who seems to have more Wikipedia entries than anyone on the planet.  While admitting that his distinctive Moonlander is specifically a sympathetic string electric guitar and his Moodswinger is technically a sort of space-age zither, he officially enters the harp guitar world with his offbeat electric Burner guitar and bass.  They include a harp bank on the body, meant for plucking, and including a sliding capo to adapt to any key.  He’s built and sold several of all of these various instruments.

“Burner Guitar”

“Burner Bass”

Last year, Brad Hoyt stumbled upon Marko Lipovsek, a creative luthier from Slovenia, who’s handcrafted a total of 5 very creative harp-somethings (guitars, mandolin, banjo).  The link to his portion of an artist’s co-op site, which worked last week, seems to be down.

Back into more “traditional” territory, these familiar luthiers start out listed in the second section of “First Time” harp guitar builders, as they’ve only done 1 to my knowledge.  Some of the instruments are still for sale, and/or the builders may presumably take additional orders.

I’ve already mentioned Tony Karol and shown his first harp guitar on last week’s blog.  That’s what triggered this whole lengthy (but necessary) exercise.  Others include:

Last year’s distinctive short-scale harp guitar by our own Dennis Mitchell, shown again at the last Gathering.  Build # 2 is in the works, and it’s time we added Dennis to the list!

Another little known-to-well known luthier is David Taylor of Nashville, thanks to his first harp guitar for Muriel Anderson

Michael Greenfield was already a well-respected premier builder, even before his immediately-famous harp guitar for Andy McKee

The colorful acoustic-electric harp guitar above was built by Dan Dachel of Colorado at the request of local multi-instrumentalist Jerry Palmer

Roger Wang of Malaysia has been keeping up a blog for some time on the building of his attractive harp guitar by Edward Hiew

This one was another of the harp guitar highlights of last year’s Montreal guitar show, built by Canadian Michel Pellerin.  Doolin harp guitar fans will recognize several “borrowed” elements.

Roving reporter Benoit found this stunningly original “harp-stick” – built by Yvon Robert of Quebec for a musician named Naki.  He says it features 11 stick strings (a la The Chapman Stick), 4 tampura drone strings, 22 harp strings, and is made of 15 different kinds of wood.  Very William Eaton-ish, don’t you think?

Another Benoit find, this is a “harp steel guitar” built for Ben Harper by David Dart.  Like his unique 6-strings for Harper, it has a full-length bowl back.  I’d guess that David must have been one of the first builders on the Internet, as his site is www.luthier.com !

Stephen Hill from Spain has promised me photos of this double-neck guitar with 5 additional subs built for musician Antonio Esteban, who calls it the “Ha Shem.”

And finally, Daniel Stark from Germany sent me photos of a beautiful Torres-style 11-string which was available for sale.

Please let me know if I’ve missed anyone, or if any of the above “graduate” to the First Section with more builds.

Are we taking over the world, or what?!