Harpmaking Made Simple (HMS) Book + Template Set
This is the classic, must-have John Kovac DIY harp-making book set—newly revised for 2025.
This DIY harp-making set now comes in two parts:
1) Free PDF eBook (First Half of the Original Book)
This free, downloadable PDF includes:
- Harp history
- Harp-making instructions
- Photos, plus some diagrams
Once downloaded, you can view the PDF on any device that displays standard PDFs.
PDF format: 8.5" × 14" (Legal), Landscape
If you want to print it, set your printer to:
- Legal-size paper
- Landscape orientation
- Centered
- 100% scale
Print quality note
High print quality (e.g., 2400 DPI black & white) looks best, but may take much longer to print. Text will still print well at 300 DPI, but the photo images may lose quality. For the best photo clarity, keep and view the digital version.
Click here to download the free PDF eBook: eBook
2) Full-Size Template Set (Paid, Shipped to You)
The template section is a printed, hard-copy set of essential, full-sized, reusable cut-out templates for building your harp(s). Once purchased, the templates are shipped directly to you.
Using these templates, you can build your own high-quality, personalized, and potentially far more economical Kovac Paraguayan Harps:
- 22-string
- 29-string
- 36-string
Note
This HMS eBook + Template Set is included with all of our Kovac Paraguayan-Style Folk Harp Kits, so you do not need to purchase it separately unless you want an additional set (for example, as a gift).
We also provide complete string and hardware kits for your harp build.
Go to: Harp Kits
To read a thorough PDF Overview of the HMS book, use this link: HMS Book
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Shown are the 3 famous John Kovac Harps you can make with his book:
(John Kovac with his Paraguayan Style Folk Harp Creations)
Reviews:
"John Kovac's approach to harp making is direct, cheerful, and simple... Building a harp of his design doesn't require a lot of time or woodworking skills. The brilliant sound of these harps rivals the best that can be found." - John Lozier, Harper, and Harpmaker - https://www.harpingforharmony.org/
"John Kovac's gift is his ability to simplify harp making; making the construction of this most difficult instrument a possibility for many more people." - James Jones, Master Luthier - https://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/
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What’s inside the HMS book (and why it works)
If you know how to use a drill press, circular saw, jigsaw, power sander, and optional router, you can build your harp from scratch in about a couple of weeks, or so for the largest model. Smaller harps can take less time.
This set includes templates for three Paraguayan-style folk harps—known for their easy playability, slightly narrower string spacing, light to moderate tension, and lighter weight / smaller overall size compared with many Celtic folk harps. Most importantly, these harps are known for a tone that offers clear treble with firm bass.
The book set includes:
- Detailed, step-by-step instructions
- Material lists and size specifications
- Harp history
- Harp-making techniques and practical discussion
Templates and printing details
- Includes full-size template pages for each harp size: 22-, 29-, and 36-strings.
- Pages must be cut out, and some taped together.
- A few simple alignment adjustments may be needed when lining up certain template sections for best accuracy.
Template pages are printed on 8.5" × 14" (Legal) paper and printed in black & white.
Materials and build efficiency
John Kovac lists the wood and lumber you’ll need so you’re not left guessing. His layouts are designed to use minimal lumber in an efficient way, with very little scrap left over.
For convenience, go to my Harp Resources page for the three lists showing the required:
- Wood materials
- Strings
- Hardware
- Tools for each harp model.
Extra clarity beyond the templates
Relative measurements are included so you don’t have to rely on templates alone.
Photos in the downloadable eBook
The downloadable eBook includes process photos and examples of harps built by others using this book.
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Sample pages from the book:
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See our Harp Resources pages for more resources
Optional (Highly Recommended) Add-On DVD
As an optional—but strongly encouraged—add-on, we also offer a harp-making DVD featuring the late, famed Paraguayan harp maker and player, **Maestro Geronimo Morinigo**.
It can be purchased as part of a **package deal** with the HMS book set, or purchased separately.
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We’ll Help You Succeed
If you make a mistake on your harp—even if we didn’t cause it—please contact us right away. We’ll do our best to help you work through it and still complete your harp successfully. You might be surprised how many problems can be solved with the right guidance.
Our goal is simple: for you to succeed in building your harp and enjoying it for years to come. We won’t abandon you after your purchase. Let’s work together.
Davy J. Clark, Georgetown, Kentucky
Copyright 2025, 4th Edition
ISBN: 979-8-218-76205-6
- Products are normally shipped up to 48 hours (2 Days if ordered before Noon) after being ordered & are shipped on regular business days, Monday to Friday, excluding holidays & weekends. (Though some orders may ship on Saturday mornings if they come in after noon on Fridays or Thursdays if Friday is a holiday.)
- We currently do NOT ship outside the U.S.A. (Import/export taxes, tariffs, & trade wars make this impossible for the time being.)
- All orders, except Pre-Built Harps, will go out via USPS's best rates for the fastest delivery, including but not limited to U.S.P.S. Priority Mail. (Includes USPS First Class Letter, First Class Package Services, USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Flat Rate, etc.)
- It is less expensive for you if we add shipping separately for each complete order instead of hiding it within increased prices for each & every one of our products while making the bogus claim you are getting "free" shipping & handling. No Carrier ships for free!
- Please be aware that Black Friday, the Christmas Season, weather-related emergencies & various man-made disasters often delay deliveries, often without notice to us or you. JK Harps accepts no liability for such delays that are always beyond our control.
- REMINDER: String Tuning Mechanisms & Wound Bass Strings may have a back-order delay in shipping of approximately two (2) to three (3) weeks due to their custom nature.
- When any delayed orders finally ship, you will be immediately notified by routine email.
- All orders will be tracked, and you can be updated, via carrier email if you choose, as the process goes along.
- All orders are fully insured per standard carrier insurance services.
- All shipping & handling will include standard fees for shipping materials & order handling.
- A viable shipping address is required, and we are not responsible for orders not deliverable at your end. (P.O. Boxes & A.P.O.s are not qualified deliverable addresses; no exceptions.)
- Any orders over $100 will require a delivery signature at the address you provided for shipment receipt before you can receive your order.
PRE-BUILT HARPS
- Pre-built, USED harps are only available for local pickup at our Georgetown, Kentucky, harp-making shop.
- Pre-built NEW harps are available for local pickup (as above), or can be shipped to your Zip Code within the Continental USA only.
- Contact us first to obtain a shipping estimate for shipping to your Zip Code.
- After you purchase your new harp online (if it is to be shipped), you will be given a second link via email or text message so you can pay the Shipping Fee for your new harp. (Your harp will not ship until after the Shipping Fee is paid.)
- A nominal, flat Shipping & Handling Fee of $25 will be added to your order upon payment for your harp.
- See the harp's description & shipping directions for any further details.
DAMAGE to SHIPMENT
- You must check your delivery for any damage or loss immediately upon its arrival in the unlikely event of any shipping issues with the product caused by the 3rd party, the delivery carrier.
- Take pictures, if possible, and notify the Carrier immediately of any damage to or missing order(s). (Within 24 hours or less.) John Kovac Harps by Davy Clark will not be held responsible for damage to or losses of orders done while in transit. Claims will be made to the shipping carrier immediately in such cases. (But, inform us also to keep us in the loop if anything might be done on our end.)
- If you fail to notify the carrier promptly and the claim gets rejected, you may forfeit your right to redress with the shipping carrier.
- For clarification, but not in all cases, once you make a claim with your delivery shipment carrier, and they approve your claim & finally pay you for your loss or damages, then you will forward us that payment. Once cleared with our financial institution, we will immediately ship out to you a replacement order(s).
Photo Credit: Matthew Henry