Cutting New Chord Bars for an OS73C Autoharp

Autoharp's Model 73C is Oscar Schmidt's modern reproduction of the classic Model 73 autoharp, albeit with 21 chords (more than the original Model 73 ever had). I wanted one to play in historical reenactments but I also wanted it to play Folk and Bluegrass songs - like 99% of Oscar Schmidt's 21-chorders, it's better suited for playing polkas.
I got this one cheap because of cosmetic damage so I figured I'd try replacing chords I'll never use for Folk or Blugrass with chords I would. If you have an OS21C or other "normal" OS 21-chorder, you can sometimes order chord bars that are precut for Bm, F#m, and E major, three chords that most 21-chorders are missing. (You can "sacrifice" chords like Ab and Bb7, two chords you'll never use in Folk or Bluegrass music. The third chord can be F7, Cm, or Eb, depending on your preferences.)
But if you have an OS73C, or if you want to cut chord bars for other chords you will have to order chord bar "blanks" and notch the felts yourself. Fortunately, it's not hard.

[@paulracemusic]

The chord bar chart I made to help you cut these chord bars yourself is here: creekdontrise.com/acoustic/autoharp/os73c/os73c_replacement_chord_bars.pdf
A Web article that describes the same process is here: creekdontrise.com/acoustic/autoharp/os73c/os_73c.htm

[@MountainHomeJerrel]

Thank you for sharing this information!!

[@paulracemusic]

You're welcome. I want to do one for a standard 21-chorder as well, but the first one I worked on had so many other problems, the video got too confusing. 🙂