The Reverie Harp

by Musicmakers

Stillwater, Minnesota, USA

Sonic-Alchemist telling yet another story...

After attending a course and experiencing the Reverie Harp it seemed it would be a good addition.

The harp is available fully assembled or as a kit.

With a bit of stress on the budget after the course it seemed the kit was the one.

Rated in a scale of hammers - 1 the easiest - 5 the hardest - this kit rates 2.

Rating myself as a woodworker on the same scale - also about a 2.

After downloading and reading the instructions (link can be found bottom left menu) the decision was made to go ahead and order it.

The kit shipped out the same day of the morning it was ordered.

Received the next day (I live only 80 miles from Stillwater) and the fun began.

The standard tree rosette was included instead of the one noted on the order.

After emailing Musicmakers, they apologized that the request had been overlooked, sent the requested rosette that same day, receiving it the next day.

They said I may keep the tree rosette if wished.

The sincerity and expediency of this group was much appreciated.

My minds eye was seeing it with a blue top.

It seemed it was to be.

A little research found Keda Wood Dyes (link can be found bottom left menu) - beautiful bright non-toxic dye powders mixed with water.

But... having spent what was quite a bit in my reality on this kit... what if it were totally screwed up... ruined... dyes bleed... the slightest mishap could be a disaster...

Then the child within spoke up - lighten up - have some fun - there's always black if need be.

Hmmm.

First to glue and tape the frame

Then glue and clamp the bottom

Sand the edge overhangs off

Taping along the edge of the bottom to test and be sure the Truebond Waterproof glue used would block any bleeding when the yellow dye was applied to the frame.
Success.

Then testing the blue on the bottom of the top outside and surprisingly enough it seemed it would work.

Mounting the label to the inside of the bottom which was also dyed yellow..

Being different colors it seemed best to dye the string mounting ends of the frame and also the top where they would meet before gluing.

Then mounting a test label to the back side of the rosette hole with painters tape to keep dust and debris from the inside yet could easily be removed when finished.

It worked well - I recommend.

Then gluing and clamping the top.

Drilling the zither pin holes then sanding the top edge even with the frame.

Taping the top and bottom edges before rounding them to dye the frame.

Allowing the frame to dry twenty four hours before taping it up to do the sanding and rounding of the edges preparing for the dye.

The first application of the blue did not take to the deep grains so well.

Allowing it to dry between coats and stopping at three as it seemed it would get no better.

With the dye being water based some light sanding was needed between coats.

With the type of veneer used on the bottom red seemed the only choice... worked very well, two coats.

Removing the tape after drying twenty four hours I was stunned - it worked.

Some final sanding, touching up, three coats of the Gel Topcoat finish from Musicmakers, a little wax, and wow.

The rosette dyed green, hardware, and strings.

Having very sincere doubts, thinking it may just end up black, yet not so... happy it was pursued.

A realization afterward that Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water are represented through the colors used.

And there ya go (said in Minnesotan ya know)

My thanks to Musicmakers for all they do!