amping a harp

[DCDamio]

I've got a pickle for you all... I have a small, 3-octave harp that i would like to put a pickup in. problem 1. i refuse to alter the instrument. 2. the soundhole is ovalish shaped. 3. has to be somewhat removable.

I've looked into the regular across-the-soundhole inserts, but they don't fit quite right and keep falling out, so i scratched that idea. I was thinking of something along the lines of a piezo or the feather pickups on stewmac, but i'd need 2 to get the best sound, and again, i can't permanently mount anything...

any ideas?

[EADG]

I've got a pickle for you all... I have a small, 3-octave harp that i would like to put a pickup in. problem 1. i refuse to alter the instrument.



Umm...

[British Kid]

Umm...
123

there's really nothing you can do if you don't/can't alter it.

you don't need to smash the harp to put a pickup in it. otherwise, your only other option would be to mic the harp.

[DCDamio]

Let me define what i mean by alter: cut more holes into it, carve something away, put something on that can't be taken off...

it's a bit of a pain in the arse to mic this harp correctly, not to mention that i wouldn't have anything in the way of tone control, etc...

i was thinking along the lines of an insert of some sort that would clip on (preferably). i can draw up a diagram of something that would be ideal

[purple_hazer]

ok are you talking like an auto harp or a full on harp?

[FunkMetalBass]

Your only option other than mic'ing the harp is to find a clip-on pickup. Maybe a bit of double-stick tape would be in order if it doesn't stay clipped on. That can be removed with little-to-no hassle.

[DCDamio]

it's a full harp, folk sized. it has three octaves of strings instead of five octaves, and is sat on the lap instead of the floor. the reason why micing wouldn't work out so well is because the soundhole sits about 3 inches away from me at teh most when i'm playing.

[DCDamio]

http://www.boothsmusic.co.uk/acatalog/Folk_Harp.jpg
similar in shape to this harp, no carving, and lighter wood

Here's a link to what i would ideally like to achieve, but is out of my price range by $500
http://www.markwoodstrings.com/Mountain_Glen_Harps/electric.htm