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____30.
____31.
____32.
Proceed to install the remaining two strings
according to the diagram. (fi g. 29) Notice that you
can direct the wraps of wire toward one side of the
NECK or the other, depending on how you’d like
the string to align with its position in the NUT.
BE CAREFUL not to over-tighten the strings! They
may break if you tune them higher than the pitches
shown.
Although you can play lots of songs on this instru-
ment without even tuning it (by just playing one
string), you’ll learn more musical things (like
chords) if you tune all the strings properly, as
shown in the chart at right. You can tune to a pia-
no or an electronic tuner, or you can visit our web-
site and use the free online tuner on our website at
www.harpkit.com/freetuner.
String # 3
Note: D3
.025”
String # 2
Note: G3
.016”
String # 1
Note: D4
.012”
The THICK FRET (near the NUT) should hold the strings at the proper height at that end of
the NECK, but you need to check the gap over the 8th space. You will adjust the height of the
BRIDGE to achieve the 1/8” (3 mm) gap shown in the illustration. (fi g. 30) An easy way to check
the string height is to see how a 1/8” drill bit fi ts between the string and the wood at the eighth
fret (near the body). Setting the string height like this will make a big difference in the play-
ability of your instrument.
If your strings are just a little higher than the proper height at fi rst, you may only need to fi le
the notches in the BRIDGE a little deeper. If you have 1/4” gap at the 8th fret, however, we rec-
ommend removing the BRIDGE and sanding the underside to lower the string height. That
will be much easier than trying to cut deep notches in the wood. It’s OK to reduce the height
of the BRIDGE considerably, if needed, to achieve the proper string height. Conversely, it is
also fi ne to glue a shim under the BRIDGE, if necessary, to raise the strings to the proper level.
Play a string open (without pressing it to any fret) and then play the string fretted at the eighth
fret. Check these two notes on your electronic tuner. These two notes should be exactly one
octave apart. If the fretted note is sharp - slide the BRIDGE toward the bottom of the instru-
ment a little bit. If the fretted note is fl at - slide the BRIDGE toward the neck a little bit. Keep
making adjustments until the 2 notes are exactly an octave apart.
FINE TUNING THE BRIDGE PLACEMENT.
FIG. 30
FIG. 29
