Harp maker & harp restorer, Phone ++41 (0)52 625 00 29
In Gruben 24, CH-8200 Schaffhausen harp@beatwolf.ch

 
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Replica / reproduction / reconstruction
As a harp maker I recreate historical harps as facsimile or copy after well chosen originals. Extended researches are followed by careful handcrafts. More than 30 years of experience in musical instrument making guarantee each harp as a masterpiece.

 
(» Catalogue / Gallery).
 

+ SWISS MADE +

  



• Single action harp / Louis XVI harp: Handmade facsimile after 18th century masters as Naderman, Renault & Chatelain, Cousineau and others. This type of the early pedal harp reached its highest reputation in Paris (Marie-Antoinette) and is suited for a wide repertoire reaching from Krumpholtz and Cardon up to Rameau and Spohr. Mozart has written his fl/hp-concerto for this type.
The original single action crotchet system (“à crochets”) gives the authentic prerequisite to 18th century playing techniques. The tone is full and warm with clear, brilliant voicing, excellent timbre.
39 strings F1 - bb3 (415 / 430 / 440 Hz). Hight 167 cm; 15 kg.
On request: painted sound board; “sourdine” after Krumpholtz.

 CECILIA BARTOLI accompanied on a WOLF-Harp played by Margret Koell.
(» CECILIA BARTOLI YouTube 14 MB )
(» mp3: M. Nagasawa [293kB])

(» DVD: making a Louis XVI)

 

  
 

  • Gothic Harp: These harps are found in numerous iconographic sources around 1500. My model is built closely after the “Nuremberg” type. The slim body is hollowed out of one piece of maple or cherry wood.
The short lute-like tone is typical of the period. By adjusting the bray-pins the Gothic harp obtains a characteristic timbre, so that it marks clearly in a Renaissance consort. On the diatonic instrument the semitones can be reached by appropriate tuning or by "squeezing" the string with the thumb nail.
26 gut strings. Hight 110 cm; weight 2,5 kg.
Various tunings and pitches, 415, 440, 466, 494 Hz. (common example: G – d3 at 440 Hz).

(» mp3: N.Llopis „no brays“ [114kB])
(» mp3: A.Vollenweider „brays“ [63kB])
 

• Hook Harp: The so-called "German Harp" was well known in Bohemia, Germany and Tyrol in early 18th century. The hookharp is equipped with five retuning hooks per octave. The narrow body with vertical grained soundboard is made completely of hardwood.
Very light string tension, very bright timbre and a well carrying tone. Neck with a carved human head, if desired.
36 gut strings G1- g3 (415 / 440 Hz). Hight 152 cm; 4,5 kg.

(» mp3: E.Witsenburg: Minuet [222kB])

 

• Small Harp: Made after hook harps from around 1800 in late Baroque style with a body-shell made of seven ribs, spruce soundboard. Bright, powerful tone and very warm timbre. As a lever harp it is equipped with modern semitone levers, thus it is equally suitable for professionals and pretentious amateurs for multifarious purposes. Equipped with historical hooks on request. I make this successful model in three different styles: French with a scroll, in Italian elegancy or in German style.
34 gut strings C - a3 (415/440 Hz). Height 146 cm. Weight 7,5 kg.

All harps with a five years guarantee.

Kindly check the full catalogue slide show:

(» Catalogue / Gallery)
 

  
         
    Harp Restoration (early harp repair)
The palette of restoration features ranges from purely conservation / maintenance work, to playability adjustments or to a total renovation, whereby the available substance of the instrument and its state of preservation will determine the approach required.
As a harp restorer I can offer competent advice.

(» More about)
 		  
         
    Purchase of Early Harps
I am interested in purchasing historical single action harps of the 18th and 19th centuries. The condition of the instrument is not of great consequence, as I am able to restore in my own studio.
Kindly present your offer of your antique harp with photographs and a brief description. I pay fair prices for interesting pieces.

Sale: early pedal harps
Continually I have an original single action harp or other early harps for sale. These are restored and in well playable state, excellent for professional use. Very interesting prices. Kindly visit the news-page time by time:

(» News)

  
         
    Services Offered to Museums / Expert Service
As a harp expert I offer my specific experience on historical harps and my wide-ranging archives on harp-related material to museums and collectors, thereby assisting
  • as a consultant during conservation and restoration work
  • in the design of finely-balanced stringing (especially important for playability adjustments)
  • in cataloguing and difficult attributions
  • I too, of course, offer a restoration service in my own studio and I make expertise.

( » PROFILE & MUSEUM SUPPORT [PDF 35 kB] )

( » 'Harfen-Katalog' of Musikinstrumenten-Museum Berlin ).

  
     

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