B-Compact Harp
The new B-Compact Harp guitars have a one-unit neck instead of the two separate removable ones I used to offer. At first I started using the Steinberger tuners for the sub bass strings which worked great, Unfortunately they stopped offering those some years ago and I had to come up with a new design again where I use regular tuners as well for the subs. Since they now restarted producing the Steinberger tuners I now offer both designs… 🙃
Both solutions are designed to keep the neck unit as short as possible for compact traveling yet with a scale length long enough to still provide a decent bass response on the lowest sub bass string. The Harp guitar backpacks are not any longer than the ones for the regular full-size models which are small enough to fit as carry-on luggage!
All B-C Harps are offered with and without 8 super trebles.
The B-C Harps have a very comfortable size and despite the medium body size they still project an amazing rich tone and great volume due to the unique sound board construction. Thanks to the sound port on the side also the low basses come across very nicely, especially for you as a player. Read what the well known harp guitar player John Doan has to say about his B-C harp guitar… Review
Specifications
(some can be customized)
Body length: 19 1/8″ (48,6cm)
Body width: 14 1/2″ (36,8cm)
Body depth: 4″ (10,2cm)
Scale length for guitar: 25 1/2″ (65cm)
Scale length for sub basses: 30 1/2″ (77,4cm)
Nut width: 1 3/4″ (45mm)
Bridge string spacing on guitar E-E: 2 1/8″ (54mm)
Bridge string spacing on sub basses: 1-6: 2 3/16″ (56mm)
String Spacing for the optional Super trebles: 3″ (76mm)
Fret on body: 12th
Case: B-C Backpack
Gallery
Here some samples of B-Compact Harp Models.
Click on the pictures to view the gallery.
B-C Harp Custom for Muriel Anderson with Super Trebles
Western Red Cedar top
Indian Rosewood body
Black Pear bindings and bevels
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Brunner Half Step Turning Levers
B-C Harp Custom
Sitka Spruce top
Indian Walnut body
Flamed Koa bindings and bevels
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Brunner Half Step Turning Levers
B-C Harp Custom
Western Red Cedar top
Indian Walnut body
Flamed Maple bindings and bevels
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Brunner Half Step Turning Levers
B-C Harp Custom
Western Red Cedar top
Honduran Rosewood body
Indian Rosewood bindings
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Brunner Half Step Turning Levers
B-C Harp Custom with Super Trebles
Western Red Cedar top
Indian Rosewood body
Flamed Maple bindings
Ebony fretboard and bridge
B-C Harp Custom
Swiss Spruce top
European Walnut body
Ebony bindings and bevel
Ebony fretboard and bridge
John Doan
B-C Harp with Super Trebles
Black Western Red Cedar top
Indian Rosewood body
Flamed Maple bindings and bevel
Indian Rosewood fretboard and bridge
Stars and moon inlays
Philippe Fouquet
B-C Harp with Super Trebles
Western Red Cedar top
Indian Rosewood body
Flamed Maple bindings and bevel
Ebony fretboard and bridge
Claude Laflamme
B-C Harp with Super Trebles
Redwood top
Swiss Walnut body
Black colored Pear bindings
Indian Rosewood fretboard and bridge
B-C Harp without Super Trebles
Western Red Cedar top
African Mahogany body
Rosewood bindings
Indian Rosewood fretboard and bridge
The unique Brunner Turning Half Step Levers
I have come up with my own design for hald step levers, both, for the Super Trebles and Sub Bass strings as I could not find any other ones that were suiting for the B-C Compact Harp design. All “flipping” levers have handles that stick out too far and that the guitar won’t fit in the backpack…
The principal is the same as on big pedal harps, where the strings get pinched between the two pins. Each turning lever is placed perfectly so that the front pin ends up sitting at the position where the first fret would be on each string. So by turning the knob, the pitch will raise a haf step.
It turns out very handy too, that the levers for the Sub Bass strings are accessable from the back which makes changing notes even during playing very easy!
The Brunner Tunring Levers are also for sale for other luthiers. Please just contact for further info.
Reinforced SNAP System
Due to the high tension of the 12 strings the spring in the SNAP system is reinforced and the assembling is slightly trickier than with the regular 6 string neck. After some practice it works just fine as well!
The wide flat section on the neck is is reinforced cross wise with a couple of carbon fibre rods in front and behind the SNAP system. So it always stays perfectly flat for a firm connection in the body pocket.