Suggestions for Harp Strings???

[Vic Rothman]

Better test how well real strings solder first

[Tina]

Thanks for all the additional hints and replies. 

The panel itself will be 41" tall by 31" across, built to be hung inside an inside window separating a former classroom and the main hallway.  The bottom of the window is about 6' off the ground, so the bottom of the panel will be above eye level (at least for shorties like me, 5'4").  As you will view it "from below" and not straight on or eye level, I was looking for a way to make the harp strings a bit more pronounced.

I did make a trip to the local piano store the other day, and looked at the strings for the lower notes.  They looked promising, but they have another thinner wire wrapped around them, and I wasn't certain how that would work trying to solder.  Of course, they didn't have any spares there, but the owner gave me the name of the piano tuner they use.  I called and left a message, but have not heard back.

Out with my Dad yesterday, we stopped in an old-time hardware store, and when I told the woman there I needed wire about the diameter of the piece of solder I showed her, she led us directly to the right place.  They had a length of galvanized wire 50' long for less than $6, which I promptly bought as this would be plenty for the strings and to practice with.  She even called her son to make sure I'd be able to easily solder this wire, and he guaranteed no problems there.  We walked out two happy campers :)

Now, can someone please tell me the best way to straighten out this wire?  It's marked 9 gauge galvanized, anchor wire, and is in a loop about 10" in diameter.  I can straight it out somewhat, but it is a lot stronger than solder and harder to bend.

I appreciate your suggestion, Vic, about working a bridge or support of some sort into this design to help stabilize the wires -- I think that's a real good idea.

Thanks again for all your responses -- you all are the best glass friends!