Harp Guitars

Overview

The HgN is my take on a nylon strung harp guitar. The shape is based on a Torres classical guitar with a graceful harp arm and head. The bracing follows a modified 7 braces fan pattern with some extra support on the upper bout. The six basses are tuned (high to low) D C B A G F. On this model I did not use individual pins for the bass strings for a cleaner look on the harp headstock and a slightly mellower tone on the bass.

Overview

The Hg2 is an evolution of my first hg design, with a slightly different bracing pattern, the bevelled armrest and a few extra refinements. I also introduced a new pinless bridge design based on the work of the great Jeffrey Elliott. This pinless bridge anchors the strings with tiny metal rods (I use titanium) and allows for a very light and user friendly system. For the bass tuners I opted for mini guitar tuners for a more precise tuning over the more traditional banjo machine heads. It is possible to have more bass strings and to outfit it with sharping levers for extra convenience on the stage and less retuning!

Overview

This is the harp guitar that started it all for me. After seeing the awesome Stephen Benett in concert in Los Angeles with my luthier friend Kathy Wingert I fell in love with the instrument. It so happaned that a few months later Stephen would play in Padova at an event organized by an old friend of mine, upcoming guitarist Francesco Faldani, and so I went to see Stephen again, and, brought over my first Columbia model to see if he would try it. To make a long story short, after the concert Stephen did try the guitar for half an hour, and when he was done the only comment he made was telling francesco he had found who could build him a harp guitar! There started the journey of research for this wonderful and fascinating instrument.

Features

This harp guitar has an Italian spruce top and a gorgeous black walnut back and sides set. Finding the right woods for such an odd instrument is not easy, and I often have to resort to sourcing raw planks and slicing the plates myself!

Scale lenght 25,5'' for the guitar part

Sub basses tuned low to high G A B C D F#

Slotted headstock and banjo tuners for the bass strings

Doolin Style Adjustable neck system

Wood rosettes

Compound radius fingerboard

Walnut neck

Custom D-Tar pickup system

Testimonials

This is and instrument built from exceptional woods and innovative tone! It is certainly not an easy instrument to find or play. The harp guitar built by Max is a whole different world and the balance between the bass strings and the standard ones is perfect, meaning the basses possess the right volume and complement the harmonic content from the other strings, coloring in the best way possible every chord. A true portable piano!

Overview

The idea of a portable stage/ready harp guitar came after a delivery incident happened to Muriel Anderson. That made me realize how touring musician playing harp guitars usually carry another guitar as well, making the whole transportation a bit cumbersome. So how about a harp guitar that could fit in your suitcase?

The portable HG comes apart and goes back together with no tools in a few minutes, has the ergonomics of a regular harp guitar, and with its D-Tar pickup has a great live sound. Plus it looks cool!