Autoharp by Oscar Schmidt 21 Chord Maple Body Autoharp

I am a musician and retired music teacher. Over the years I have purchased many Oscar Schmidt autoharps for use with my students in music class. I usually just bought the 15 chord autoharps, which worked out very well. I never had any issue with any of them, except having to tune 9 of them at a time, that's a job.The autoharp came quickly and was well packed. The autoharp was beautiful and in perfect condition as expected. I wasn't expecting the autoharp to be in tune when I got it, that is just crazy and unrealistic. So, no stars knocked off because it was out if tune. I have played guitar for over 50 years. I never begin playing guitar without first tuning it up. I expect to have to retune this autoharp from time to time, that's just the nature of playing a stringed instrument.This autoharp was bought by my wife. She has wanted one for a while. We decided on the 21 chord version, because of the added minor chords. Now that it is tuned up it sounds great! It will give my wife years of enjoyment and it's a lot easier than learning how to play guitar. All you have to do is push a button and strum. My wife is extremely happy with her purchase. She'll probably buy a padded case later so she can take it up to our cottage without worrying about it getting damaged. If you are thinking about an autoharp, and you're not afraid of tuning it, you will be extremely happy with this 21 chord autoharp.

I have had my Oscar Schmidt 21-Chord Autoharp for at least 6 months and I love it. I have never had an autoharp, but I have played one. They are very easy to learn to play...IF and that is a big IF it is a good quality autoharp and Oscar Schmidt's quality is of the highest standards.It is a beautiful instrument. The pitch is almost perfect and the sound board makes up for any slight lack in pitch. I find it easy to play, but that might not be the case for everyone. I play the piano, violin, cello, guitar - well I play several instruments well. I wanted something for fun, and the autoharp is just the ticket.I bought a book for the autoharp and have learned all the strums, chord combinations and picking from that book. I'm ready to order the second level book, which I will do through Amazon.com.The autoharp is a great instrument to accompany a singer, being much easier to learn to play than the piano or guitar. I would always recommend a 21-chord autoharp because of the many chords lacking in a 15-chord one...obviously. But, still, I have had students who bought a 15-chord autoharp and were disappointed after a few weeks of playing. Those 6 missing chords are vital to the sound and the playing.For anyone who wants to play the autoharp for fun or professionally, The Oscar Schmidt 21-chord is the best all-around instrument. I highly recommend it.

Bought this about six years ago and I still play it today. When I first had it, it had the tendency to go out of tune more often, but now it seems to stick better. The tuner has never really worked that well, but I pretty much just haven't touched it this entire time and prefer to use a piano or automated piano to just tune by ear. I also once spilled a candle near my autoharp and some wax got on the strings and inside. I managed to scrape off most of it but I wish there was an easy way to clean it! It can get pretty dusty too. I also wish that it could be connected to an amp! It has been solid for what it is though, not the prettiest thing but a great beginner harp!

It is a beautiful piece...the wood is stunning. It was way out of tune when it arrived, which I expected, but it came with the tuning wrench so I started to tune it. It helps that I'm a musician and can tune to my piano...it's a lot harder to do than I anticipated, but that's okay. The sad part is that one of the strings popped (broke) during the process, and so I thought I'd just buy a string. No can do. A whole set of strings is $136, on top of the $460 I just spent...so if I ever get it tuned properly (by the way, it stings when a string breaks and hits you), it will be missing a string. I have also ordered an electronic tuning device...have I made a costly mistake in purchasing this? I had thought carefully and long before buying the autoharp instead of a portable keyboard. Time will tell.

I have played the auto harp for years. Mine needed some repair. I didnt want yo stop playing while it was being reparied. When i saw this one was refurbished i fidnt know what to expect. This autoharpis beautiful. And its a little shorter than mine with me being older now i can hold tjis ine better. You cane to my rescue. I just love it.

I purchased this autoharp as a gift for my granddaughter. Imagine my chagrin when I opened the box and realized that IT IS NOT TUNED!!!! I play guitar and banjo and tune them all the time, but the autoharp wasn't even close to being in tune, and the tuning is so delicate that it is very difficult to do. I went on YouTube for help with tuning and I learned that in the beginning you have to tune it all the time. There is no way my granddaughter could manage that. So I sent it back. If you are going to buy an autoharp, my suggestion is go to a retail music store where they will tune it. Then it will at least be in the ballpark!

After the initial tuning, the autoharp sounded wonderful. I didn't know the tuning crank came along with the harp as I ordered a separate one so that I could tune the harp. Now I have two. The auto harp looks very well made and shipped well packed and protected. I was happy it arrived perfectly and quicker then expected. I was hoping it had included a small sheet explaining how it worked or something to try and play. I have no experience with this instrument and had to order a book/dvd for learning. A sample music sheet would of helped since I can read music. Overall I am very pleased with my autoharp.