Welcome to the Mikel Harps Factory page where you can see how Mikel Harps are produced, although lot of manufacturing processes are confidential and can not share its picture or explanation, however we are sharing some manufacturing snapshots for your interest.
Our facility incorporates a fusion of historical craftsmanship coupled with modern manufacturing Process that combine to produce high quality components (this includes Harp Wooden Body, Sharping Levers, Tuning Pins, Bridge pin etc) all are proudly designed and manufactured here in the Mikel Harps factory. Continual improvements in parts design, manufacturing process and management overtime as well as collaboration with other harp makers and interaction with professional harpists have made it possible to produce a wonderful sounding instrument at an affordable price
Harp Design and Drawings
Harp Design is one of the most important non-price factors which determines the success of a Harp. If you find any harp is well made and performing well. It means it has been designed very well. It is sophisticated and complex job as well. A small fault in drawing may lead to complete failure. Years of Harps making experience, Harpist need assessment, drawing expertise and understanding of modern manufacturing technologies are core expertise to design a perfect harp. It involves hand drawings to modern 3D Computer aided drawings.
At 1st stage we made all basic drawings on paper by hand with collaboration of Harp’s engineer, wood engineer and string’s master. This maybe important step where harp is weighted and rated at every aspect and decent balance made between them.
2nd stage all handmade drawings are transformed to 2D Computer Aided Drawings. This makes precision and remove geometric errors that usually appears in hand made drawings.
3rd stage is use of modern 3D Computer Aided Drawing Program (CAD), where all parts are individually designed and its respective manufacturing facilities are designed and arranged to manipulate drawings into real Harp. Lot of hit and trails are made with one to one communication with technical staff before assuming a drawing to be final.
Wood Selection and Processing
At 1st step when purchasing wood, every stack of wood is carefully inspected and selected (color, grains and dimensions etc) based on our own defined selection criteria.
Use of wood in Harps is part of engineering, wood is a natural material, it is hygroscopic, it takes moisture from surrounding environment. Moisture exchange between wood and air depends on the relative humidity and temperature of air and current amount of water in wood.
To achieve optimal humidity level in wood is part of fun. It is first dried in air and then in electric dying kiln.
Harp Wooden Parts Machining
Here are some snapshots from harp wooden department, each part is designed preciously at CAD (Computer-aided design) program. This not only requires high tech machines, capable of exacting tolerances but also requires precision cutting tools, and skilled workers, proper SOP’s for each part as well as quality control system to ensure every part is perfect! Each time!
Strings & Hardware Installation
Some Pictures from string and hardware installation department, At every step we have SOP’s, work instruction and quality control system to ensure quality. We regulate sharping levers precise up-to 1 cent
Mikel Harps Carry Bag
Deluxe Carry bags are designed to satisfy carrying and protection needs. The harp’s bags are soft and 10mm foam padded at interior whereas protective and smooth at exterior. Here are few pictures while making bag.
Our deluxe harp carrying bag was designed by the Mikel Celtic team to provide maximum protection when moving or storing your instrument, the bag incorporates the use of 10mm thick foam padding and a tough, durable outer layer coupled with an external polymer beading protests your harp from the trials of everyday transport to and from venues, schools etc…a large pocket provides storage for spare strings, tuning key, electronic tuner, music and has ample space for any other accessories you may wish to have. It comes in an attractive colour and is supplied with a shoulder strap for ease if transportation.
