Zimmerman Grand Autoharps

[Mike Wolkomir]

Greetings again from Wisconsin;

 

The restoration of our Zimmerman Concert Grand Autoharp, Number 17, is now underway with Pete D'Aigle of D'Aigle Autoharps in SeaTac, WA.

 

I am trying to find any available information on 19th Century autoharp playing techniques, especially the use of the shifters in actual performance. I intend to demonstrate the use of this instrument when the restoration is done, and I'd like to be as accurate as possible. I have failed to locate any contemporary documents about technique.

 

Do any members of this forum know anything about the way in which these instruments were played beyond the basics of the fact that they were played flat on the table with a plectrum. Has anyone seen the instructions manuals for any of the Zimmerman harps or other contemporary instruments with shifters. I understand that Aldis Gerry who performed on this instrument in the 1890's made shifter changes on the fly while playing, but I don't know this as a fact.

 

I would sure love to find some Gilded Age  documents about these!

 

I am a fairly decent modern diatonic autoharp player, but this is clearly "something completely different".

 

Mike

[Stuart Horsman]

Good Morning, Mike!

 I have seen several of the Zimmerman manuals, but they are all "beginner" oriented. I do remember that this was a device for implementing his system of teaching music theory (before it became an "instrument" Thank you Mr. Sears, and Mr. Roebuck).

 Like yourself, I am a fair diatonic player. I would love to be "in the loop" on whatever information you might discover. Thanks, Stuart

[Mike Wolkomir]

Greetings all.

We are happy to announce the completion by my friends Pete D'aigle, luthier, and Tom Fladmark, string maker, of my Zimmerman Concert Grand Autoharp. This instrument is production number 17, likely built in 1894. It's in shipment to our home now, so I am still to hear the first chord. The harp was "discovered" by Mary Epworth in England in a Victorian estate in the north. Pete believes that it was played very heavily. Unfortunately it had remained tightly strung for about 110 years, and a major challenge was getting out the dishing of the top. I plan to show the instrument at the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering in Newport, PA in June.

Mike

[Mike Wolkomir]

Zimmerman Concert Grand number 17, second view.
Mike

[Mike Wolkomir]

Zimmerman Concert Grand #17, third image.

Mike

[Paul Verticchio]

Hi Mike.

My knowlege of autoharps could fill a thimble.  I do consider them to be one of the most pleasant sounding instruments on the planet.

So, I'm just dropping by to say:

1.) What a beautifully designed and executed instrument!!!. Love the birds-eye appointments. Your 'team' did a very proper restoration.

2.) What a great rescue & win/win/win story!!

3.) What would it cost to make a duplicate of the instrument? (rhetorical question).

Thanks for the pic's and if it sounds 1/10th as good as it looks, you're going to be making some beautiful music on it :)

Best of luck, man :-)

[Mike Wolkomir]

We are sure looking forward to hearing the first sounds! Someone apparently did try to do a playable facsimile probably in the 1920's. Adam Miller has seen it.

[Mike Wolkomir]

At one time Frank had a video animation of how the chord bar shifters operate. I think it was a simple gif animation.
Does anyone known where I might find that file?

Thanks,
Mike

[Frank Ford]

MIke -  here it is, in the FRETS.COM museum:

Concert Grand

Unlike most of the instruments in my virtual museum, this autoharp is owned by and in residence at Gryphon although not currently on display.  We've had it for some 25 years - before that it was at Lundberg's shop in Berkeley.

[Mike Wolkomir]

Thanks, Frank. Would you mind if I post a link to this along with our pictures, with proper attribution to you?

Thanks. Hope all is well in Palo Alto.

Mike