PETER BROUGH

Brilliant bronze semitone levers

Consistently clear sound from every note—regardless of whether a lever is or is not applied to the string—is high on the list of what every harp player seeks to achieve. This requirement has implications both for the construction of an instrument itself, and that of its semitone levers. When Peter Brough set out to create his ground-breaking new harps in the 1980s, it soon became apparent to him that his new design of harp could be further enhanced by improved semitone levers.

What players want from levers besides consistent quality of sound is a minimal, easy operation. Other needs are for visual and physical neatness—levers should be as unobtrusive, compact and elegant as possible. Last but not least, they should be robust, reliable, low maintenance, and fitting them should be straightforward.

When Peter Brough's first medium- and high-tension gut strung harps appeared, their innovative levers caused as much of a stir as the instruments themselves. Players were struck immediately by the sound consistency that the levers made achievable. After a short ‘acclimatization’ phase—these levers felt different—players also loved the light fast action, which enabled them to treat the levers essentially as flickable switches, and gave them the ability to disengage several in one small sweeping movement.

Players were intrigued and impressed by the differences that result from a completely different design and use of materials. Other harpmakers were too—and one thing led to another!

In response to requests, Peter Brough decided to make his semitone levers available for other harps as well as his own. Brough semitone levers are now used by a number of leading United Kingdom and European harpmakers on their best instruments. The levers have proved their robustness and reliability as well as acoustic superiority and ease of action with gut, nylon and metal strung instruments, and over a range of string tensions.

Features of the levers

The levers are cast in bronze. They are then polished. The process of casting rather than fabricating provides great rigidity; this reflects the acoustic energy back down the string to the soundboard (as opposed to absorbing it and dulling the note).

The inclined pivot makes the design noticeably compact—one of the more obvious differences between these and other levers.

The reason why these levers feel so different in use is that they do not depend on friction; keeping them against their end stops is done by the tension of the string. (And herein lies the crux of the innovative approach—a ‘test drive’ will prove to you what a big improvement this is.)

The slot for the mounting screws is placed between the strings for easy fitting and fine adjustment.

These levers are available in two sizes. The small lever has a base designed to pass between the bridge pins at the top of the harp. The large version provides greater string displacement and is intended for the longest strings.

Levers are supplied with clear instructions for fitting them, and for the minimal maintenance needed.

Important: these semitone levers are designed to operate on strings set 1/4" (6 - 7 mm) from the neck of the harp.

These levers are available to professional and amateur harpmakers, and players can specify them on their next instruments.

Provided the strings can be reset to 1/4 inch from the neck of the harp, these levers can be fitted to existing harps - a wonderful upgrade.

e-mail the maker.

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