“The Oscar Schmidt OS73C, OS73CE, and OS73B line of autoharps are a throwback to the 1930s. These autoharps have the appearance of older autoharps but feature the contraction of newer models.
The Oscar Schmidt OS73 line of autoharps have been featured in various movies such as A Mighty Wind and Walk The Line. This is a great looking instrument that calls back to the heyday of autoharps.
The OS73 is made from a combination of solid spruce and mahogany. The face of the OS73 autoharp is made from solid spruce and this will provide some great sounds. The backside of this autoharp is made from mahogany. This will help compliment the sounds produced by the autoharp. Mahogany is also a very durable wood. The OS73 line of autoharps also features a satin finish. The satin finish will help create a louder sound as the finish isn’t as think as a glossy finish.
A couple of unique design features of the OS73 line of autoharps is instead of pin type bridge found on modern type autoharps, the OS73 features a traditional string bridge that the strings rest on. Also to keep with the heritage feel of the OS73 line of autoharps, Oscar Schmidt used“type A” strings. These type of strings were used on the original autoharps. They attach to the instrument using a peg and loop system. On modern-day autoharp, they use“type B” strings. These strings have a ball at the end that fits into a slot on the bottom of the instrument.
The OS73B is the 15 chord autoharp from the OS73 line of autoharps. It features the same construction as the 21 chord version. The chord bars on the OS73B are left uncovered and this is a throwback to the original design to the autoharp. The OS73C is the acoustic 21 chord autoharp in the heritage line of autoharps from Oscar Schmidt. The OS73CE is the acoustic and electric version of the OS73C. The OS73CE features a passive pickup in the body of the instrument. In prior electric autoharps from Oscar Schmidt, they used an active pickup to amplify the sound coming out the autoharp before it reached your amplifier. With passive pickups, you do not need a built-in battery tray. Passive pickups also produce a more organic sound from your instrument. Also, Oscar Schmidt removed the built-in equalizer so you can choose one of your to compliment your level of playing.
When you purchase an Oscar Schmidt OS73 you will receive an instant $30 rebate on a hardshell case. We are also including a free digital tuner with every purchase of an autoharp. You can also upgrade to the 3 in 1 chromatic tuner with built-in metronome and tone generator.
AutoharpStore.com has everything you need to play your autoharp. We carry a wide range of books that can help you learn to play your instrument. We also stock all the strings and picks that you will need to play your autoharp.
AutoharpStore.com is the premier online retailer of autoharps and autoharp accessories. We have technical support Monday through Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, eastern time. You can reach us by phone, live chat, or by email. We look forward to hearing from you.”
Accessories Included
Tuning Wrench
Assortment of Picks
(Over a $10 value, yours FREE!)
History
“An American instrument of American invention.”
The Autoharp is one of the few musical instruments that can claim to be truly American in origin.
Invented in 1881 and patented in 1882, the Autoharp has had a remarkable hundred-year history. After being proclaimed “the nation’s favorite musical instrument” and then nearly fading into obscurity, the Autoharp has taken its manufactures on an endless roller coaster of ups and downs. As a nineteenth-century parlor room favorite, it was finally replaced in popularity by the phonograph. The Autoharp did not die. It retreated to the mountains where it underwent a metamorphosis from a parlor instrument to a folk instrument. From there it came out into our schools to become a classroom feature and finally has emerged as a popular instrument for the serious musician.
