Question 1

What is a regulation?

Accepted Answer

A regulation, or a harp service, is the term used to describe maintenance work which harp technicians carry out to help keep harps sounding and working as best as possible.

Each harp is comprised of thousands of pounds of string pressure on the wooden frame. The wood can shift with time due to this immense pressure. Additionally, lever harps can have hundreds of movable metal components, and pedal harps have over a thousand moving metal parts. These components can wear, loosen or break with time and must be checked regularly.

A regulation service is done to maintain the overall health of your instrument. Although a large component involves pitch/intonation improvement, equally so it includes a thorough check of the wood of the harp and adjusting, lubricating, or replacing metal parts as necessary. See "Services" --> "Regulation Services" for more information.

Question 2

Why does my harp need a service/regulation?

Accepted Answer

Getting your harp serviced regularly has numerous benefits. It helps to:
- Maintain the overall heath of your harp.
- Prolong the life and value of your instrument.
- Give you a reliable and professionally cared for instrument.
- Give you peace of mind and confidence when playing.
- Regular services may help to delay any major factory repairs needed in the future.
- Enjoy playing: to make your harp sound and feel really nice to play!

Question 3

I just bought a brand new harp, when should I first get it serviced?

Accepted Answer

Brand new harps should be serviced within one year of purchase. Like a brand new car, a harp settles a lot when it is brand new and it's important to check that everything is functioning properly and in tip-top shape.

Question 4

How often should I get my harp serviced/regulated?

Accepted Answer

My recommendation for pedal and lever harps is below:

Once per year if the harp is:
- Played professionally, to generate the majority of your income.
- Used in an orchestra.
- Used in recordings.
- Played two (or more) hours per day, or more than twelve hours per week.
- Used for advanced repertoire, such as for the HSC, University, AMusA, LMusA, etc.
- Transported often, especially when used for gigs.
- Required by the harpist to maintain a good standard of regulation.

Once per 2 years if the harp does not meet any of the above criteria and is:
- Used for beginner or intermediate repertoire.
- Played less than twelve hours per week.
- Used professionally, to generate supplemental income.
- Not transported very often.

Once per 3 years if the harp does not meet any of the above criteria and is:
- Played less than five hours per week.
- Stays at home (never gets transported).

Brand new harps should be serviced within one year of purchase. Like a brand new car, a harp settles a lot when it is brand new and it's important to check that everything is functioning properly and is in tip-top shape.

Question 5

How can I prepare for my service/regulation?

Accepted Answer

Please select "Resources" --> "Regulation Preparation".

This is a guide on what you can do to prepare for your harp service/regulation. Please note that all suggestions are optional. However, in following these suggestions, you will be able to make the most out of your harp service/regulation! Please only do what you feel comfortable with. Contact me if you have any questions or need help.

Question 6

What is the difference between 'necessary' and 'optimal' string changing?

Accepted Answer

Necessary string changing applies to individual strings which need to be replaced out of necessity. Usually it's because they're worn, pitted or frayed. As harpists, we should replace these strings as soon as we notice them.

Optimal string changing applies to partial or full restrings and is not as urgent but should be completed periodically in order to maintain your harp in optimal sound and condition. Strings can sound 'dead' or 'dull' with time and tarnishing, especially the lower, thicker strings. If doing so yourself, partial/full restrings should be done with care to ensure no damage to the soundboard of your instrument. ​

Question 7

How can I tell if a string needs replacing?

Accepted Answer

Often we can tell visually if a string needs to be replaced.

All string types look for:
 • Fraying near or on the pin windings and at the soundboard.
 • Pitting or dents where the disc or lever makes contact with the string (especially the thinner strings).
 • Discolouration or fraying where the string is normally plucked.

Wire strings look for:
 • Tarnishing, rusting, little black, brown or grey stripes or sections.
 • Dull colour, almost powdery look to the metal.

Question 8

How often should I restring my harp?

Accepted Answer

All harps should be completely restrung periodically. The period between restrings depends on the level you play and what type of strings your harp uses. It also depends on how optimal the sound quality you want your harp to produce.

My recommendation for a standard pedal harp is below. This accounts for both typical ageing and wear of strings.

Lever harps should also be changed regularly but is more a case-by-case basis. If you have a lever harp, please contact me directly. This is because there is much more variety in types of lever harp strings and I want to make sure I am giving you the appropriate information for you and your harp. Thank you!

STANDARD PEDAL HARP
Advanced to Professionals : For Best Possible Sound
 • 1st and 2nd octaves - once or twice yearly
 • 3rd octaves - once yearly
 • 4th and 5th octave - once every 1-2 years
 • Wires - once or twice yearly, depending on what type of wires used

Intermediate to Advanced : For Good Sound 
 • 1st and 2nd octaves - once yearly
 • 3rd octaves - every 2 years
 • 4th and 5th octave - every 2-3 years
 • Wires - every 1-2 years

Beginner to Intermediate : For Average Sound
 • 1st and 2nd octaves - every 2-3 years
 • 3rd octaves - every 3-4 years
 • 4th and 5th octave - every 3-4 years
 • Wires - every 2-3 years

Question 9

How does a full restring work?

Accepted Answer

1. Book your harp in for a full restring. 
2. Pre-order your new string set prior to your scheduled service date. 
3. If you need help pre-ordering your strings, please contact me at least 1 month prior to your service. I can help for a 10% ordering fee. 
4. Bring the new string set along to your appointment.

Note: If you have booked a restring AND a regulation the new strings will need a few days to settle prior to regulating. This means that you will need to leave the harp with me for a few days. If you are having house visits, I will need to visit your house twice; 2 house visit fees may apply.

Question 10

Does a full restring include the cost of strings?

Accepted Answer

The price of a full restring does NOT include the cost of strings. You need to PRE-ORDER any strings you want changed and bring them with you on the day of your service.

If you need help with pre-ordering the strings, please contact me at least 1 month in advance of your service. I can help you for a 10% ordering fee.

Question 11

Should I try restringing my harp, or part of it, by myself?

Accepted Answer

If you have never done a complete or partial restring before, please read all the following information carefully. Please ask for experienced guidance & advice from your harp teacher or harp technician before doing complete restringing for the first time.

I would only recommend doing full or partial restring by yourself if you are positive about the following dot points. If you:

• Have had guidance from either your harp teacher or a harp technician, or have restrung that particular harp before in the past.
 • Have the appropriate equipment ready before you start.
 • Have double checked your string chart and have the correct replacement strings ready: including type of strings, octaves, string letters, gauges.
 • Are aware of the exact method of replacing the particular type of strings you are planning to replace. For example, wire strings must be strung with a completely different method to gut strings. Also, certain octaves are better to be strung with more slack than others, and other brands of strings such as BioCarbon, require a pre-stretching method.
 • Have a reasonable skill and confidence at tying string knots and windings.
 • Have suitable hand strength, or have someone who can help you with cutting wire strings (if you plan to replace wires).

Some other factors to note:
 • Every harp is different, and if you do not restring in the correct way for your particular harp, you may risk damaging or breaking the soundboard, especially for older harps.
 • Some harps have threaded tuning pins which require an additional step when re-stringing.
 • Wire strings can be extremely difficult to change without the correct equipment.
 • Some brands and types of strings require pre-stretching.
 • Spare gut strings which are too old may be brittle, sound dull, and break when stringing.

If you are uncertain about anything listed above, please don't worry! I would recommend reaching out to your harp teacher or a harp technician first. We would be very happy to help you!

On that note (no pun intended), I am currently accepting expressions of interest for harp stringing workshops, to help harpists learn more about all of the above dot points, as well as hands-on stringing experience. For harpists of any age, any level. Please reach out if this is something that would interest you!

Question 12

Is there a way for me to improve my stringing skills?

Accepted Answer

Yes, practice with old or unwanted strings, watch youtube videos of different methods, ask your teacher or harp friend to spend some stringing time together.

I am currently accepting expressions of interest for harp stringing workshops, to help harpists learn more about all about strings, stringing, and hands-on stringing experience. For harpists of any age, any level. Please reach out if this is something that would interest you!

Question 13

What kind or type of strings should my harp use?

Accepted Answer

The resources page related to this question is still under construction. In the meantime, please either reach out to your harp manufacturer or seller, or contact me directly.

If your harp is a Lyon & Healy or Salvi harp, you can try looking up your string chart here, by selecting your model of harp: https://www.harp.com/harp-strings/ (https://www.harp.com/harp-strings/)

Question 14

Can my harp be restrung on the same day as my service?

Accepted Answer

Wire strings can be changed on the same day as the service. However, if you plan on restringing your own harp, all other types of strings should be changed about a week before your service and tuned up to pitch at least once per day, at least 10 times total, or until the strings are holding pitch. Please see "Resources" --> "Regulation Preparation" for more info.

I am happy to restring for you provided we can work out appropriate timing. Please see "Services" --> "Stringing Services" for more info.

Question 15

Should I buy a spare set of strings for my harp?

Accepted Answer

I always recommend to have a full spare set of strings of non-wire strings on hand, eg. gut or nylon, at the very least a "skeleton set".

Proactively keeping a spare set of these strings for your harp is a worthy investment. String breakage is natural and inevitable. Having spare strings on hand takes a great deal of stress and effort out of what may already feel like a tricky string-changing experience. When a string breaks, you can easily select the correct replacement, and focus on replacing the string instantly, and get back to playing straight away!

Ordering strings individually as they break means that you have to wait for the order to be processed and posted, as well as paying for postage costs each time. Then, in the meantime your harp has a missing string. This could hinder the harpist's playing until the new string arrives and is installed. Especially for children, a missing string can be very disruptive for learning and if it happens often, may affect their motivation and love for the instrument.

Generally, unless you're a professional harpist, you won't need a spare set of wires - they break so rarely and usually the only time they get replaced is when it's time for a wire string change.

Professional harpists won't take their harp anywhere without a complete set of spare strings (I personally carry 1-2 full spare sets with me to gigs, including one set of 6th octave C to 5th octave G for the wires).

A few places to buy strings in Australia here (most post nationally):
NSW - Verna at  Harp Bazaar(https://www.harp-bazaar.com.au/)
QLD - Brandden at Harps & Harps(https://harps.com.au/)
SA - Suneetha at Carter Harps (https://carterharpsaustralia.com.au/)

Question 16

What is a "skeleton set" of spare strings?

Accepted Answer

A full set of spare strings includes all 7 strings within the octave, F, G, A, B, C, D, E.

A skeleton set of spare strings includes only 4 out of the 7 strings within an octave, usually F, A, C, D, or F, A, C, E.

It includes both coloured strings, C & F, and only one of the two clear notes D or E (usually the D), and only one of the 3 clear notes, G, A or B (usually the A). The D and A are then meant to be used as spares for their clear string neighbours.

Please note: having a skeleton set is not ideal. This is because for most harps, every string has a slightly different thickness. For example, for most harps, the thickness of one D string is not actually exactly the same thickness as its neighbouring E string. This means the D is not a perfect substitute for the E and may result in poorer regulation once replaced.

However, having a spare skeleton set is definitely better than having no spare set of strings! It may be a good method for budget harpists or beginners. For professional harpists in a pinch, this method can be used as a stop-gap whilst the correct string is on order, which can then be replaced once arrived.

Question 17

What humidity level is good for my harp?

Accepted Answer

Most harp manufacturers recommend the optimum room relative humidity to be around 45%, plus or minus 5-10%. It's always best to check with your harp manufacturer/warranty card for their recommendations.

Remember, harps like stability.

For example, if your harp room is constantly monitored at being around 40 - 42% humidity, that's much healthier than the humidity fluctuating from 30 - 50% in one day. Monitoring temperature and humidity can result in less string breakage, as well as slower wood ageing & shifting.

I would recommend to buy two temperature and humidity sensors like this (https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/mega-deal-warehouse-thermometer-and-humidity-monitor-with-32-lcd-display-battery-operated-7238102843564-41437701243052/)and place one on your music stand, and the other one somewhere else in your harp room.

Using a humidifier or dehumidifier, or a dual-action one, may help to stabilise the humidity in your room. For more expense, you can even get some 'smart' dehumidifiers (https://www.breville.com/au/en/products/air-dehumidifier/bad208.html)or humidifiers which connect to WiFi!

Question 18

What temperature is best for my harp?

Accepted Answer

Most harp manufacturers recommend the optimum room temperature to be around 20°C, plus or minus about 5°C. It's always best to check with your harp manufacturer/warranty card for their recommendations.

Remember, harps like stability.

For example, if your harp room is constantly monitored at being around 22 - 23°C, that's much healthier than the temperature fluctuating from 15° - 25°C every day. Monitoring temperature and humidity can result in less string breakage, as well as slower wood ageing & shifting.

I would recommend to buy two temperature and humidity sensors like this (https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/mega-deal-warehouse-thermometer-and-humidity-monitor-with-32-lcd-display-battery-operated-7238102843564-41437701243052/)and place one on your music stand, and the other one somewhere else in your harp room.

Using aircon or heaters can help with stabilising the air temperature, however it's important to make sure the aircon or heater is not too close or directly blowing on the harp. Also, aircon can sometimes dry out the air, so it's important to monitor the humidity level also.

Question 19

I sent a booking form on your website but I haven't received a response from you yet. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Please allow up to a month for me to respond to your booking form. I will always respond via email. Sometimes my email response can go to your Junk folder. If you can't find a response in your inbox or junk, please send an email directly to baeeharpservice@gmail.com (mailto:baeeharpservice@gmail.com)to book in or call me on 0416 404 151. Thanks!

Question 20

I have booked via your website and have received a response from you, but I don't know my final service date yet. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

I normally will do the final scheduling for a trip around 1-2 months prior to the trip, once I have finalised flights, travel, accommodation etc. When I am ready to do the final scheduling for a trip, you will receive an email or call from me to book an exact date.