This is the classic, must-have John Kovac DIY harp-making book set, newly revised for 2025.
This DIY harp-making book now comes in two parts:
The free, downloadable PDF eBook of the first half of John's original book, which includes harp history, the harp-making instructions, and images & some diagrams.
Once downloaded, you can view the digital PDF eBook on any device or computer that can display common PDFs. This PDF eBook is formatted in 8.5-inch by 14-inch legal size in landscape mode. If you would like to print the eBook, you can use your printer's legal-size paper option set to landscape mode, centered, and at 100%.
(A very high print quality, like 2400 DPI black & white, is best, but might take much longer to print. The text will print in high quality, even with a low 300 DPI setting. But the picture images would suffer. So, keep the digital copy for better picture image quality.)
Click this link to download your free PDF eBook: ebook
The templates section is the paid-for hard copy of all of the essential full-sized, re-useable, cut-out templates from which you will create your harp(s), and once purchased, will be shipped to you directly.
By using the templates, you can make your own high-quality, personalized, but potentially far more economical 22, 29, & 36-string Kovac Paraguayan-style Folk Harps!
NOTE: This HMS eBook & template set is included in all of our Kovac Paraguayan-Style Folk Harp Kits. So, there's no need to purchase it separately, unless you desire more than one book set, such as a gift to someone else.
We also provide complete kits of strings & hardware for your harp creation.
Go to: Harp Kits
To read a thorough PDF Overview of this HMS Book, please use the following link: Overview
___________________________________________________________________________________
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/
___________________________________________________________________________________
In this historic, "HMS" book:
- If you know how to use a drill press, circular saw, jigsaw, router, and optional power sander, you can make your harp from scratch in about a week or so for the largest harp. Smaller harps may take a bit less time.
- Templates are included for three Paraguayan styles of the folk harps, which are known for their ease of play with a bit narrower string spacing with light to moderate tension, and lighter weight & overall smaller sizes compared with similar stringed, Celtic folk harps. And, most importantly, these harps' musical tones offer clear treble with firm bass.
- The book set includes detailed, step-by-step instructions, lists of materials and size specifications, harp history, and some harp-making techniques & discussion, etc.
- Includes full-size pages of templates for each size of harp (22, 29, & 36 Strings). Pages will need to be cut out, and some taped together. (Some easy adjustments to the linear lineup of the component templates will be necessary for better accuracy.)
- In the book set, John Kovac lists the necessary wood lumber required to build your harps. He leaves you with no guessing as to what you will need. And, his layouts of the harps use minimal lumber components & are set up in a very efficient manner, leaving almost no leftover scrap wood.
- Go to my Harp Resources page to find the three Lists that show you the wood materials, strings, hardware, & tools required for each harp.
- Relative measurements are included so you don't have to rely on just the templates.
- The 8 x 14-inch templates are printed in black & white.
- The downloadable eBook includes picture images of the harp-making process and shared photo examples of harps made by others who have followed this book.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Sample pages from the book:
-
See our Harp Resources pages for more resources
___________________________________________________________________________________
If you make a mistake on your harp, even if it was not caused by us, please notify us right away, and we will see how we can help you complete your harp anyway. You never know how we might be able to help you, which is our goal; for you to be successful in your harp building & playing! We won't abandon you in your harp-building process after the purchase, either. Let's work together!
Davy J. Clark, Georgetown, Kentucky
Copyright 2025, 4th Edition
ISBN: 979-8-218-76205-6
- Please Note: Only purchases within the U.S.A. are accepted at this time. No exceptions.
- 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.)
- 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 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 damages 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 in a timely manner 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