This article explains how to fit a small contact transducer pick up microphone such as the Scherter Basik Pick Up to a harp.

When fitting a pick up to a harp, you are aiming for a compromise between sound quality, ease of access to the pick up, aethetics and comfort and playability of the harp when the microphone is in situ.

The first decision is whether to mount the pick up on the inside or outside. Here’s where the compromises begin. Not many people want an unslightly pick up (they are called bugs for a reason) attached to the front of their beautiful harp. Attaching it more discreetly to the side or back can be an option, but only if you can find a place where there’s no chance of it being knocked by arms, knees or legs whilst in the full flight of creative expression. For these two reasons, most people end up attaching the pick up to the inside of the harp, where its hidden from view and out of harm’s way.

1. Sound Quality

Now let’s get a good sound. In general, the pick up will sound better towards the top of the harp. This is because the bass end of the harp tends to sound boomy when amplified, so you want to avoid enhancing this effect by placing the pick up over the bass end. The low frequencies of the bass will get picked up in the higher end of the harp too, so, while it may seem that sticking the pick up at the top end of the harp would result in a overly treble sound, the reality is that the sound is relatively balanced. Of course, as with everything to do with mounting a pick up, let you ear be the final judge and if the harp does sound too trebly and tinny, move the pick up down slightly.

Once you have a good sound, its time to attach the pick up. Here you need to decide whether you want the pick up to be attached permanently or semi-permanently. If you think you may need to remove the pick up in the future, then you will need to use putty or double sided foam tape. If the pick up can be mounted permanently, then you have the option to use a glue such as superglue. According to Ray Mooers of Dusty Strings, pick ups should be attached with glue whenever possible, as it is contact with the wood’s surface that allows the microphone to pick up the most natural and resonant sound. If however, you anticipate the need to remove the pick up in the future, putty or double sided foam tape is a good compromise. Be sure to attach the pick up securely.

2. Accessibility, Playability and Aesthetics

However, before you permanently attach the pick up, you need to consider whether that sweet spot it took you so long to find, is going to cause any problems.

The first thing to consider is whether you can easily access the pick up in order to get the lead in or out. Are you stressing the connecter by having to approach it from an angle? Are you at risk of pulling the pick up off when you remove the lead? Can you reach it at all? Even if none of these things are a problem, think about what happens to the amplifer lead further down? If your pick up is mounted inside the harp’s soundbox, where does the lead come out? Is it going to flap about or get trapped by your body as you play the harp? Remember that any knocks on the lead will sound VERY LOUD when amplified.