Lap Harps

TK O'Brien's lap harps are an acoustic, handcrafted folk instrument which can be enjoyed by young students and senior citizens as well as everyone in between. Also known as a plucked psaltery or zither, this trapezoidal shaped musical instrument provides its player with immediate rewards by producing a heavenly sound. Music cards that slip under the strings are what make playing the lap harp so easy. Simply follow the upward and downward lines and pluck the strings which lay directly over the notes below.  All models have a range of 2 full octaves in the key of G.

For additional information about playing the lap harp, visit our Lap Harp FAQ page.

  Sound clip of Karin Lyle playing Amazing Grace on the lap harp.

Standard Lap Harp
Offered in Oak (light to medium golden wood), Walnut (dark brown wood) with or without Celtic Knot soundhole, and Birch (light blond to honey colored wood).

Standard Lap Harp Specs
15 string, 2 octave range
Length: 15" bottom rail
Height: 7 3/4"
Weight: 1 3/4 pounds approx.
Top and back: Birch, Oak or Walnut ply. The ply is a high quality instrument grade.
Pin blocks: Hard Maple
Environmentally friendly water based lacquer finish.
Built in U.S.

What's Included
Set of starter music and instructions, basic flat tuning wrench, pick and spare wire. 

The starter set of music includes Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, Oh Susanna, When the Saints Go Marching In, In the Good Old Summertime, She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain, This Train, On Top of Old Smoky, Suwannee River, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, You Are My Sunshine and Sounds of Silence.

Deluxe Lap Harp
A distinctive recessed figure sets the deluxe apart from the standard. Each figure is molded and hand painted in the Appalachians from original carvings by Pat Schwarz (Gracie) of Hendersonville, NC. The figures include a Mountain Man (Item# LHOM),
Wood Spirit (Item# LHWS),
Eagle Spirit (Item# LHES) and
Wolf Spirit (Item# LHWF).

Deluxe Lap Harp Specs
15 strings, 2 octave range
Length: 15" bottom rail
Height: 10 3/4"
Weight: 2 1/4 lbs approx.
Top and back: Birch ply
Pin blocks: Hard Maple
Environmentally friendly water based lacquer finish.
Built in U.S.

What's Included
Set of starter music and instructions, basic flat tuning wrench, pick and spare wire. 

The starter set of music includes Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, Oh Susanna, When the Saints Go Marching In, In the Good Old Summertime, She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain, This Train, On Top of Old Smoky, Suwannee River, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, You Are My Sunshine and Sounds of Silence.

Mountain Man, Wood Spirit, Eagle Spirit, Wolf Spirit

Custom Lap Harp
This model has an additional note on the bottom of this lap harp that extends the playing range. And the music expands your playing capabilities. The starter set of music is written in the same 'connect the dots' style for the ultimate in easy playing for everyone regardless of music background. But, in addition, an easy to follow system of adding harmony notes is incorporated into the music. The melody notes are written in black; the harmony notes are in red to differentiate them. You can choose to pluck only the melody notes with a pick or use your thumb and index finger or middle to pluck melody and harmony simultaneously.

Adding to the looks, the sides flare out and the soundhole has a solid wood laser cut Celtic Knot rosette insert. It plays 2 octaves in the key of G.

Custom Lap Harp Specs
16 strings, 2 octave range
Length: 17" bottom rail
Height: 8 1/2"
Weight: 2 1/2 lbs approx.
Top and back: Birch ply with a clear or black lacquer finish
Pin blocks: Hard Maple
Environmentally friendly water based lacquer finish.
Built in U.S.

What's Included
Set of starter music and instructions, gooseneck tuning wrench, pick, replacement string set and carrying case. 

The starter set of music includes Amazing Grace, Scarborough Fair, Oh Susanna, When the Saints Go Marching In, In the Good Old Summertime, She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain, This Train, On Top of Old Smoky, Suwannee River, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, You Are My Sunshine and Sounds of Silence.