Sisters man creates heavenly harp of natural woods

Jim Cheney and his harp. photo by Judy Vallembois Jim Cheney poured two to three months of labor, four months of research, 12 years musical training and the heart of an artist into his "Live Edge" harp.

"I feel less the artist and more the revealer to show the inherent art of the wood itself," Cheney said.

According to Cheney, the "Live Edge" tradition, which reveals a more natural edge of the wood, was introduced to America in the late 1940s by George Nakishima, a Japanese-American.

Before beginning this work Cheney spent four months researching books, the internet and interviewing different harpists to understand their likes and dislikes. The finished work reveals the time, effort and spirit he has put into the project.

Most harps are plywood with veneer hardwood. This one is composed of many different woods including Oregon black walnut, buckeye, tiger maple and maple burl.

The base is Oregon black walnut. Cheney says this wood is a cross species of Spanish walnut and domestic walnut. When the Spanish colonists in California brought Spanish walnut to the region, it transpollinated within California to produce claro walnut, a slightly different walnut. Oregon black walnut has more color range, depth and intensity.

The bow is made from an enormous maple burl. Burl is an outgrowth from the wood and has no structural integrity of its own. Cheney has hollowed the inside of this burl and installed a high tensile aluminum plate with epoxy resin. The aluminum plate carries about 1,000 pounds of tension once the strings are installed.

The type of string is left to the individual preference of the harpist. The choices are gut, nylon, wire or composite. Once the decision on the strings is made, Cheney will install turning pins and sharpening levers. The turning pins are used to draw tension and tune the strings. The optional sharpening levers change the pitch of individuals to higher notes.

A critical aspect of the sound box is the soundboard. Cheney has used Englehart spruce, a very soft wood. He says this is the very best material in musical instruments.

What inspired Cheney to make a harp like this one? The woodworker has a friend who plays the harp and she loves and appreciates his work. He wanted to see what he could do.

Cheney said, "The harp is almost a mythical instrument in my mind, the sound is so unique."

Cheney designed the rounded sound box using the same acoustic formula that amphitheaters are founded on. He says that should bring a deeper, richer sound than the typical square sound box.

The process of making the sound box is time-intensive. First a mold is made for the physical construction, then nine different layers of material create a composite form. Finally a tiger maple veneer with characteristic striations is added and stained walnut.

The overall effect of this piece is that it would be found in a museum or art gallery. However, at some time in the not too distant future, many will be able to enjoy not only the beauty of this piece but also the ethereal sound that some say emanates from the heavens.

"I've had the statement made 'It must be hard to let it go,' Cheney said. "I really don't feel at a loss at all because wherever it goes or whoever buys it, it's always mine. I'm the author and crafter of the piece. It brings me a great deal of joy to see other people enjoy having my work in their home."

In addition to exotic hardwoods, Cheney also works with copper and iron. He can be reached at Creation Works Art Studio. Call 549-0547.