I've played them for nearly 50 years. The cheap ones will not hold up over time. There's literally tons of stress on them, with 36 VERY tight strings. If you don't have RH calluses, they will take the skin off your fingertips very quickly, so I use picks on this that i don't use on guitar.
I think Orthy's are one of the best out there, many degrees above the best Oscar Schmitt. There are other luthiers bedsides Orthy who will make a great instrument. Compared to guitars, they are not all that expensive if you venture into the handmade realm. One of the better Schmitt's will also hold up well; I am not so sure about other brands.
Be sure to know the keys you wish to play in because one autoharp will not play in all keys. The diatonic ones are designed for just one key and are louder as a result.
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The Bard Rocks
Fay OM Sinker Redwood/Tiger Myrtle
Sexauer L00 Adk/Magnolia For Sale
Hatcher Jumbo Bearclaw/"Bacon" Padauk
Goodall Jumbo POC/flamed Mahogany
Appollonio 12 POC/Myrtle
MJ Franks Resonator, all Australian Blackwood
Blackbird "Lucky 13" - carbon fiber
'31 National Duolian
+ many other stringed instruments.
Last edited by The Bard Rocks; 07-07-2019 at 06:03 PM.
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