A Brief Bio

How I got started in harp building . . . 

Glen Cuthbertson

A few years back our youngest daughter asked if we could find a small harp for her to play. So we searched a few sites and purchased an affordable harp kit to try. A very enjoyable father-daughter time produced a cute little harp that she still enjoys playing around on.

I had no idea her sweet innocent little request would launch this fascinating journey of designing and building harps. Thoughts of owning a harp crossed my mind, but I never expected to actually design and build them.

Around that time our oldest daughter was getting married, so for her wedding I got some blueprints to build a bigger harp which I played at their reception. Never being one to follow plans exactly if I can make improvements, I modified the design in a pedal harp style.

The substantial tonal improvements over the little kit harp motivated me to design and build even bigger harps with an extended range. My first prototypes noticeably exceeded the blueprint version and gave me the confidence to venture further as each new model upstaged the previous one.

Eventually I built the Grand Imperial, a full sized concert lever harp in the Classical pedal harp style I admire so much. As this harp is too big for most ladies and young students to play and transport, I also designed a smaller version for harpists of smaller stature, the Grand Tiara.

To complete my product lineup with a Celtic style harp I acquired the plans for the Tara harp, originally designed more than 100 years ago by James McFall of Belfast, Ireland. From the plans I redesigned scale to enhance its tone and volume.

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A little bit more about me . . .

 

My 1915 Steinway D

First and foremost I'm an accomplished pianist, piano teacher, and piano technician. I love improvising and arranging Gospel songs, as well as playing for personal enjoyment a variety of music from the great composers, particularly Liszt.

I have rebuilt and refinished over a dozen pianos, including my 1915 Steinway D concert grand. Years of performing on and tuning all kinds of pianos have given me a great appreciation for high quality musical instruments. This background gave me unique skills and insights to design and build premium harps.

Premium instruments enhance the stellar performances of the greatest concert artists. Quality instruments encourage students to pursue their musical studies further. Beloved instruments inspire music making for years to come.

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What I wish to accomplish . . .

I believe the quality of instruments can make or break musical talents and ongoing interests. Frustrated musicians often experience a renewed confidence in their abilities after trying a superior instrument. Suddenly, technical difficulties vanish making intricate passages effortless, phrasings flow more naturally, and the music becomes inspirational again.

I feel strongly that aspiring and professional musicians alike should buy the best instrument they can afford, because often it becomes the only one they ever purchase in a lifetime. Start with one that you never get tired of and it becomes like a trusty old friend that is always there for you.

As time goes by, vehicles, furniture, and household items come and go, but quality acoustical instruments (not electronic) are seldom upgraded because they often outlast even their owners! A measure of value is retained long after other items are replaced or discarded. So spread over a lifetime, high quality musical instruments are very cost effective.

In contrast, people replace expensive new cars within 10 years with substantial depreciation. Combined with the cost of insurance, fuel, and regular maintenance, owning vehicles add up to $500,000 or more in an average lifetime!!!   Incredible!!!   Shocking!!!   I know . . . I drive too.

Putting things into perspective, most brand new musical instruments of any variety rarely exceed the price of an average used car, but last much longer. Buying the best musical instrument you can afford is actually very reasonable.

With these thoughts in mind, I strive to build premium harps with great musical and visual beauty. New ideas are explored and utilized to make my harps sound better, perform better, or simply look better.

Whether it is for advancing a musical career or simply for personal enjoyment, great performances require great instruments, be it on a prestigious concert stage, or in the familiar surroundings of your own living room. Which, of course, is always . . .

Center Stage.