Autoharp OS11021AE Summary
The Oscar Schmidt OS11021AE “American Autoharp” plays in eleven different key. This autoharp was specially designed for playing Blue Grass music. The OS11021AE features 3 new chords specific to Blue Grass music: E major, F# minor, and B minor. These new cords replace A flat, C minor, and B7th.
The essence of Blue Grass music was infused into this truly unique autoharp.
Bluegrass is usually played in the key of E. This new Autoharp is specially designed for playing bluegrass music. It allows the musician to play approximately 4000 additional songs without modification.
Unique Design
The OS11021AE Autoharp features buttons to attach a strap while adding a truly unique look. The 1930s Oscar Schmidt logo stands out against the beautiful wood tones of the Ovangkol and solid Spruce back.
Satin Finish
The wood grains are accented with a satin finish on the OS11021AE. The satin finish will allow the woods to vibrate better, producing a brighter sound.
Fine Tuning System
As with most higher end autoharps, the OS11021AE features built-in fine tuning. The fine tuning system will allow you to have greater precision when tuning the autoharp. The fine tuning system will also help extend the life of the main tuning pegs.
Dual Tone Design
The back of the body is made with select maple wood, designed for strength and optimal support. The backside also features a beautiful sunburst design.
Incredible Strength
The pin blocks in many of the finest autoharps consist of hard rock maple for extra strength. The pin blocks are laminated 10 ply rock maple pin blocks meaning they are specially coated for extra strength. The purpose of the pin block is to firmly hold the tuning pins in place where the strings are attached. The added strength of the laminated rock maple ensures that everything will stay in the right place.
Multiple layers of maple laminations are cross-banded using a special high frequency, waterproof gluing process. Reversing the grain direction on each layer of lamination yields incredible strength and the high-frequency waterproof glue seals the laminations protecting the pin block from changes in the relative humidity.
Passive Pickup
This autoharp features a built in passive pickup, that lends itself to playing on stage. The passive pickup will produce a more organic sound out of the amplifier.
Oscar Schmidt Original
What's in a name? Quality, history, and tradition. Our Autoharp is the original, with over 100 years of history behind it and a wide variety to choose from. Oscar Schmidt is truly the original and only complete source for the Autoharp. Premium woods, quality hardware, and modest prices create an ideal instrument. Each is inspected and adjusted in the USA by a skilled technician guaranteeing your satisfaction; while also assuring smooth fret ends, precise low action and resonant sound quality. As well as unequaled standards, easy playing comfort and tone response that creates exceptional value.
Accessories Included
Tuning Wrench
Assortment of Picks
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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.
