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Just wanted to mention

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Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 16 total)
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  • #107335
    sherry-lenox
    Participant

    that I took possession of a Wurlitzer C restored by Howard Bryan about half an hour ago.

    How’s that for making a simple statement about something that I’m so excited with that I would like to scream?

    I had to stop tuning it because I was sweating so that I was afraid I’d drip on the gilding.

    It is incredibly beautiful. I’ve only seen the famous Wurlitzer tiger maple in pictures but I think mine but be a really good example. Then of course, maybe everyone feels that way. I hope so.

    My C (gosh it feels good to say that!) has a relatively low serial number, so it’s one of the earlier, more ornate versions.

    Yes, I only wish I’d started 55 or so years ago, but in this case, I’m thinking better late than never. I’m certainly not going to abandon my 85P but wow, am I looking forward to practicing the Wurlitzer this afternoon!

    #107336
    diana-day
    Participant

    Congratulations! Can you post a picture? I corresponded with Howard Bryan about a Wurlitzer before I got my Salvi Arion and still wish I could have bought both. Please tell us more about your harp!

    #107337
    Charles
    Participant

    Congratulations Sherry!

    “I had to stop tuning it because I was sweating so that I was afraid I’d drip on the gilding”- Well good greif LOL!

    But I know what you mean I work up a sweat everytime I tune especially in this heat.

    I can’t wait to see pictures of Your New Harp!

    Charles

    #107338
    kay-lister
    Member

    Sherry – YEA!!!!!!

    #107339
    Jerusha Amado
    Participant

    Wonderful news, Sherry!!

    Is it a straight sound board or extended?

    #107340
    jessica-wolff
    Participant

    Having just recently heard a Wurlitzer for the first time, I can understand your excitement. Congratulations!

    #107341
    sherry-lenox
    Participant

    It’s a straight board with a warm tone. The carving and gilding are very GRAHND but the board decoration is a very simple outline of the board with a little turn back on itself at each of the corners. SO PRETTY!

    I loved the Arion when it came out, but my teacher’s Salvi has a very tiny space between the neck and the highest strings, so I was afraid it wouldn’t work with my hand.

    This harp came with the original case, which weighs about as much as a small family room. My husband could handle the C easily after having lugged the 85P around, but the case is huge! It has what I guess is the original Wurlitzer logo on the side. Definitely part of the fun!

    I was able to practice much on it today because it’s still not stable in pitch, but I’m looking forward to doing at least some of my lesson practicing on it tomorrow.

    I have a couple excellent pictures already, so once I figure out how to post them I will do so. For now, back to tuning……….:)!

    #107342
    deb-l
    Participant

    Sherry, I looked up pictures of a Wurlitzer C and they are drop dead gorgeous.

    #107343
    howard-bryan
    Participant

    A couple of technical observations on Sherry’s harp:

    It has the original soundboard, and has been strung with light gauge strings that match the original specifications for a Wurlitzer harp.

    #107344
    kay-lister
    Member

    So Sherry . . . where are these pictures?

    #107345

    Given my recent experience with three different 1911 Lyon & Healy string gauges, I don’t see how one can declare definitively that there was but one way of stringing harps until 1935.

    #107346
    howard-bryan
    Participant

    A couple of things worth mentioning on the old string gauges, some of which I wrote on another forum:

    1) The original gauges are made of riveted brass.

    #107347
    Leslie Davis
    Participant

    Oh, how wonderful!

    #107348
    Leigh Griffith
    Participant

    Wow, Sherry, that is wonderful! I haven’t been on here for a while and I guess I have been missing a lot because of that! Definitely need to see pictures!

    #107349
    jan-fetty
    Participant

    If the harp you purchased is the one he had in his living room – it is awesome, not only in looks, but sound.

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