Copyright T.M.Smith 2003

History and Achievements
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1971 First attempt at moulding a birch ply sound box. My collegue Roger Bradley playing our first 24 string knee harp.
Richard Dennie my helping hand and myself taking a breather after planeing the graduation of a triple harp sound board.


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1971-72 Prototype moulding of Glass Fibre moulded sound box
Moulded at Cambrian Plastics Pontycymer.

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Photographs taken in my workshop at Stafford during the period that Roger and myself were developing the 24 string harp with a glass fibre moulded sound box.
Frame laminated construction English walnut and quarter sawn sycamore. Soundboard graduated 4mm to 1.5mm birch plywood. Side strips English walnut, base Brazilian mahogany.
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Following the success of our 24 string Telyn Myrddin, Roger and myself decided to design a 36 string student harp similar in construction to that of its 24 string brother.

During the design process the following features were taken into consideration.
1. 36 String harp complete with semitone blades, range 4 octaves plus. Top A to 5th A
2. Stylish in appearance enhanced by laminated construction, improves tone stability.
3. Extended soundboard produces richer base notes.
4. Glass fibre moulded sound box, which assists to withstand the stresses set up by     central heated rooms.
5. Light enough to be trolleyed to and from classroom or recital.
6. Parameter of overall size to be capable of fitting comfortably in side a Mini Car, see     illustration.
7. Frame laminated quarter sawn sycamore. Soundboard graduated 6mm to 1.5mm birch     plywood. Side strips English walnut, base Brazilian mahogany.

**copy** Copyright T.Merlin Maddock 2003
Copyright T.Merlin Maddock 2003

As Roger and myself were in full time employment else were, it took 8 months to complete the prototype model.The following 12 months were used as a testing period prior to going into production. Whilst living in Stafford it is only one hours drive into North Wales, which at that period was classed as harp country and was easy to drive there at weekends to visit many of the most talented harpists in Wales and get their opinion.


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The harpists ranged from Nansi Richards Telynores Maldwyn, Frances Mon Jones, Eleanor Dwyryd (seen left), Ann Griffiths to the then budding young harpist Meinur Heulyn, at present Principle Harpist Welsh National Opera and harp Student Valerie Aldrich Smith to name but a few.





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