{"product_id":"goose-acres-model-gh-15-bar-autoharp-zither-1980s-13383","title":"Goose Acres Model GH 15-Bar Autoharp Zither (1980s)","description":"Goose Acres Model GH 15-Bar Model Autoharp Zither (1980s), made in Cleveland, Ohio, serial # 525, natural wood finish, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, original black soft shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis finely hand-made Autoharp is a product of Goose Acres, the family business of Bob Smakula and his father Peter two names often spoken with a distinct reverence within the world of banjo lovers. After humble beginnings building dulcimers in the 1970's, a teenage Bob enlisted the aid of his father Peter, a German immigrant and all-around steward of American folk music. The pair grew a small repair operation and their \"Thumb Piano Factory \u0026amp; Dulcimer Works\" into the Goose Acres Folk Music Center. More than just a store to share the fruits of their own lutherie, it was a repair shop and a vital meeting ground that served all manner of local pickers and folkies all the way up to the likes of Norman Blake and Doc Watson. While Bob continues to this day to build and preserve fine folk instruments under the Smakula banner, Goose Acres ceased operations in 2006 and Peter passed shortly after in 2008.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis product of their workshop is something you don't see everyday: a truly luthier-made Autoharp! The autoharp as an instrument is not one traditionally associated with quality buildsmanship; it was designed in the 1880s for mass production most of what is out there are still factory made and relatively inexpensive. This very classy spruce and mahogany autoharp from the Smakula family is completely handmade with a clean, natural finished look and comfortable hand-carved rosewood buttons. It is a standard pattern 15-bar autoharp with a clear, sweet sound, not fully chromatic but versatile enough optimized in particular for playing diatonically in the keys of C, G, F and D.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall length is 21 3\/4 in. (55.2 cm.), 11 3\/4 in. (29.8 cm.) width, and 3 in. (7.6 cm.) deep. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis fine handmade autoharp is one of the highest-quality examples of the instrument we've encountered and remains in wonderfully clean condition. The wood is largely undisturbed with minimal scratches and dings; the autoharp is completely original with no cracks or repairs to the soundboard. All tuners work as they should with the included wrench, save one of the very highest strings which is a bit stripped but tunable with a little effort. One of the small chord name stickers has fallen off the third-from-bottom bar. The felts are in good shape; somewhat worn in parts but retains its tune as well as any autoharp we've played of this vintage. It comes with the wrench and its original black softshell case. Overall Excellent Condition.","brand":"Goose Acres","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49951395053708,"sku":"13383","price":500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_12e1e29b-8125-4beb-a6da-0e9c547d3ed6.jpg?v=1779137841","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/goose-acres-model-gh-15-bar-autoharp-zither-1980s-13383","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}