Every Wood Sounds harp is built by hand in the United States and shipped from our distribution centre in New York.
Are Wood Sounds harps handmade?
Yes. Each harp is assembled and finished by hand rather than produced on an automated line. A person shapes the body, fits the neck and column, sets the string spacing, and checks the instrument before it is packed.
This matters because a harp is a structure under load. Several hundred pounds of string tension pull the neck toward the soundboard for the entire life of the instrument. Joints fitted and inspected individually carry that load better than parts bolted together to a tolerance and never looked at again.
Where are your harps made?
Our harps are manufactured in the United States. All orders are distributed from New York, which keeps domestic delivery quick and international customs paperwork straightforward.
How long does it take to build a harp?
A harp takes roughly 8 to 12 days to build.
You will not normally wait that long, because we hold finished harps in stock. Most orders ship from existing inventory and arrive within 5 to 8 business days. The build window applies only when a particular model sells out.
What wood do you use?
We build with four hardwoods, each chosen for what it does inside a stringed instrument rather than for appearance alone.
| Wood | Character | Why we use it |
|---|---|---|
| Maple | Bright, clear, articulate | Dense and stiff, so it holds its shape under tension and keeps notes separated |
| Beech | Even, dependable | Unusually stable with humidity, so structural parts stay put |
| Mahogany | Warm, rounded sustain | Strength through the middle range where most music sits |
| Ash | Lively, resonant | Light for its strength, adding response without adding weight |
There is more detail on all four in our guide to the wood we use.
Why does handmade matter for a harp?
Wood is not a uniform material. Two boards cut from the same tree respond differently to tension, humidity, and vibration. A machine applies the same process to both. A person can feel the difference and adjust.
That is the argument for building this way, and it is why a handmade instrument tends to age better than a mass-produced one.
Every harp is covered
1 year warranty against build faults, 30 day returns, and free replacement if your harp arrives damaged. See our warranty and return policy.
Browse the harp collection or contact us with any question about a specific instrument.