With the limited tools, handwritten instructions and unsuitable workspace, I'm really proud of my achievement. I actually gave up by the time I was done with 10 levers. It was tough job. Not only my hand was sore, I had to ensure that the semitone produced had to be precise - by using a low cost korg tuner/metronome.
L-R: package of levers frm Geoff and my "workshop"
L-R: pliers, tuner markers, screwdriver, hammer, file, glove and handwritten instructions
Then I came to a point where I needed to use a drill and file (where the strings get thicker). Boy, I literally flipped. That's when I decided to prcrastinate until Spring break. I finally plucked enough courage, borrowed a file from my teacher, put on my winter glove to lessen the pain... but still procrastinated. hahah...
The final straw came when I tried to hire a professional Lyon & Healy technician @ Harp Connection. She told me she might not be able to help without the manufacturer's pre-drilled holes (I wonder what are these technicians trained in) and that her rates are $65/hour.
That means I was really left on my own, unless I go back to Geoff's workshop in OZ! God knows when will that happen...
After giving some time for Angel Lisa n Devil Lisa to debate over the matter, I forced myself to do the job. It was really a hard call, especially venturing into the world of unknown. I dread making mistakes, but yet I know I'll - eventually, cos I don't know how much the pitch will change as each string is bent differently. It's all try and error - at least Geoff instructed me to try it on a piece of wood first... haha... where to find the wood except on my harp?! So I made a couple of boo-boos on my harp. Here is the first mistake and also the worst one. I got stuck on this string due to the pitching and buzzing problem for a whole hour. Then I went to sleep without solving the problem.
The next day I woke up, took the screwdriver and decided to make more new holes, despite having already made 3 holes before that - 2 for the lever and one for the support-pin. Success. Then I had 15 more to go...I used up my whole weekend putting on about 15 levers and 'gave birth' to a callous, a blister and a bruise on my right hand.
Then from Monday through Friday, I went to work in the IT office from 9-5 and finished my homework. As He rested, so did I - on the Saturday. Cooked fish-head curry (bought red-snapper from Haymarket with Lionel) for dinner and used the A1 paste Pat brought from home. Played some violent driving game on his Xbox.
Today, Sunday, nothing much to do, I offered to cook some beancurd barley (fu zhok yi mai) with quail eggs and finish up the remain 5 levers.
Voila, mission accomplished!
Made in Jan 2004*really really* Completed in Mar 2006, with levers 
now waiting for my cover to arrive... that'll be really, really, seriously completed then, which means... i can start to gig!
ps: btw, my fu zhok yi mai ended up tasting like quaker oats... muaahhaha..
1 comment:
wah, lisa. congratulationsss to you. big achievement.
and you finally updated your blog! :p
now when you play b9 chords, you don't have to tweak the strings. :D
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