Advice on harp sizing

I’d like to make a small harp for my sisters birthday. I’ve shown a picture below. I don’t have any basis for how to size it though… could someone give me some basic guidelines on how big to make something like this?

For anyone who might be concerned, I acknowledge this is a product on Etsy. I have no intention of copying the design for selling in any way. It will be a one-off build as a gift.

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There are a few luthiers at MakeICT, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone make a lyre Harp before.

Sounds like lyres are usually around 14in by 8in by 3in thick.

Best of luck!

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Thanks! That is a good starting point for what I need. I’ll make a rough test piece and see about getting the strings in tune. Thanks for the help!

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if you want to get fancy with the wood, you might check out Richard’s Wood Shop out in Kechi.

I’ve ordered parts for my guitar from Damm Music Center in town, but I know there was a violin shop as well as a percussion instrument shop down the street from the old Douglas MakeICT location.

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From a strictly physical standpoint

It depends on what notes you want to play. I would think there would be an optimal length for each note.

But someone who knows more could make a… Lyre… out of me…

I’m actually very interested in what the answer is.

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Yes, I’m thinking I will make a very rough prototype based on Rusty’s dimensions, then adjust as necessary to get the string length optimized. I really just didn’t have any idea where to start Haha

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Start here: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Harp

When you get done: https://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Harp

Oh wonderful! I’ll be sure to print out those pages and give them to her with the harp when it’s done :joy: