The harp is the name given to the removable section of the Rhodes piano immediately underneath the lid that houses the tines, tone bars, pickups, and other electronics. It’s function is to support all these components and allow the correct position of them so that the hammer tips in the action underneath can strike the times correctly.
It is called the harp because it is the source of tone generation of the Rhodes piano, and in this regard functions like the strings and frame of a harp.
The reed bar on a Wurlitzer is occasionally referred to as the harp. Hohner Clavinets also have a harp section that supports the strings similar to an acoustic piano, albeit under much less tension.
Design:
The harp frame is made of metal, and this supports a two carved wooden blocks. The front block (closest to the keys) houses the tone bar assembly, and the rear block houses the pickups and other electronic components.
Adjustment:
There are several adjustments that are made to the harp to change the touch and feel of a Rhodes. These fall into the categories of general adjustments that affect the entire harp; and those that affect individual components:
General adjustments:
These include the adjustment of escapement (the height of the harp in relation to the hammer tips), strike line (the position of where the hammer tip strikes the tines), and wiring of the electronic circuit through the RCA adapter and pickup wires.
Individual adjustments:
These include adjustment of tone bar screws and pickups to change the tonal characteristics of the piano. This is also known as voicing.
