John Richardson sands a template used in making an Irish folk harp. John started crafting musical instruments about five years ago after seeing his daughter Susan's Irish harp and deciding he could make one. John said: "My favorite instrument to make is a harp; I've made four so far." He's made almost one hundred instruments after reading books on the technique.

At left: Using a key, John tunes a recently built psaltery. According to John, psalteries have been around for over 2000 years. Photos by Walter Horylev.

Hilton man makes sweet music

He may not be able to carry a tune, but John Richardson can build instruments that make music that is certainly sweet to the ear.

Richardson, of Bennett Road in Hilton, has a passion for making rare instruments. The 54-year-old, self-employed father of two crafts harps, dulcimers, psalteries and thumb pianos to name a few. His instrument-making hobby began about five years ago when his oldest daughter, Laura, announced that she want to play the harp.

Harps are a precious commodity and tough to come by. When Richardson was finally able to get one, he decided that he might be able to replicate the instrument himself.

Richardson considered his first attempt to be a semi-success.

"It was okay, not the greatest harp in the world," he said. "I decided that I would need to get my wood working skills up to snuff."

That began his journey into the world of weird instruments. The dulcimers Richardson built were hourglass shaped with strings. Psalteries are triangular and played with a bow.

Richardson soon found out that his career of calibrating precision measurement machines would be a great foray into his new hobby of instrument making.

"In the industry I'm working in, we're using a tenth of a thousandth of an inch," said Richardson. That type of precision is a real benefit when putting together instruments. Even more importantly, he had two super qualified inspectors.

"My daughters are really my inspiration. They are so talented musically," Richardson said. "One thing I really enjoy is putting one of these (instruments) together and having my daughters play it." His youngest, Sara, is a senior at Hilton High School and quite active in the community musically. Laura is at Mansfield University on a music scholarship.

Richardson is hoping to begin to move away from his career and begin to spend more time building instruments. He has started to travel to local festivals to display his craft. He even has a group that comes by the house every other week to play their instruments … Richardson said he is even willing to join in as long as he is part of a crowd.

"My daughters say I can't count, which I guess is their way of saying I can't keep a beat," said Richardson. "I don't care. I'm having fun"

Those interested in purchasing handmade instruments should contact Richardson at 392-7701. Prices range from $30 for a thumb piano to hundreds for a handcrafted harp. Richardson also invites those who are interested to call to find out when the next get together is to play music.