Dusty Strings P10 User manual

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P10 Dusty Harp Pickup
for 24-30 string lever harps
Installation Kit Contents and Diagram of Pickup
Pickup ElementA.
GrommetB.
Pickup HarnessC.
JackD.
Pickup Locating TemplateE.
Harness ClipsF.
Super GlueG.
12mm WrenchH.
Jack-Tightening PinI.
Pressure Stick/RulerJ.
Lead WireK. Tools Required:
Awl•
Pencil•
Damp Cloth•
Masking Tape•
Optional:
Drill•
½” Brad Point Drill Bit•
(available from Dusty Strings)
Read is Before You Start!
ank you for choosing the Dusty Harp Pickup! While we developed the pickups and instructions specicially for Dusty
Strings harps, they have been successfully installed in numerous other makes and models with great success. Before you
begin, please read the instructions all the way through and pay special attention to the principles outlined below. is
will ensure a smooth installation process and optimal pickup performance, and will be especially helpful if installing the
pickup in a non-Dusty harp, where some of our more specic placement instructions may not apply.
Anything that is not securely attached can create a buzz, and any hard surface that is lightly touching another hard•
surface can cause a rattle.
Make sure the harness clips are not touching any part of the harp except where they are stuck on. Don’t put them•
close enough to buzz against the soundboard or braces. Don’t attach them to the soundboard if at all possible.
Make sure the lead wires are not resting on the soundboard.•
Regardless of how you install the jack, make sure all the internal and external nuts are snug, and make sure the jack is•
either securely attached to the harp or at the very least cushioned so it can’t buzz against the harp body.
Clean the surface of the harp at every adhesive attachment point, even if it doesn’t look dirty. A little bit of dust can•
interfere with the adhesive bond, resulting in loose components later on.
While we recommend testing pickup placement with double-stick tape on non-Dusty harps, it’s not a great long-•
term solution. Tape can come loose, and also weakens the signal, resulting in less-than-optimal tone and volume.
rev. 9/21/23
K

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Installation Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Harp
Lay your harp so the soundboard is parallel to the oor, with the sound-1.
holes facing up (see gure 1). It is important to get the soundboard as level
as you can. Prop your harp up securely, with a carpet or other padded
surface under the pillar and the base.
Use a slightly damp rag to wipe any dust or debris o of the inside of the2.
soundboard and the soundboard lining along the le side of the harp.
is will help to ensure the pickup elements and harness clips adhere well.
For Ravenna models with a drop-down leg installed, fully extend the leg3.
to get it out of the way.
Step 2: Drill Jack Hole (optional)
Find the center of the jack hole for your harp in the table below.1.
Ravenna 26 Le Quarter Stave, 1½"up from base and centered on the
panel le to right 1½"
FH26 & Allegro 26 Center of back, 1⅛"below bottom sound hole 1⅛"
Using an awl, mark the position of the center of the hole. For convenience, there are measurements engraved on the2.
included pressure stick.
Place a paper towel inside the harp under the hole location to collect dust and wood chips from drilling.3.
Caution: When drilling, use gentle pressure to avoid chipping out the back of the hole and
to prevent the drill om plunging through and damaging the soundboard.
Carefully drill a hole with a ½4. "brad-point drill bit (see gure 3). Be sure to keep the
drill bit perpendicular to the surface of the harp.
Aer drilling, make sure the inside edge of the hole is free of splinters.5.
If you don’t want to drill a hole in your harp, the Dusty Pickup Jack Clamp may be used as a secure and removable alter-
native. See more at www.dustystrings.com.
If you have a Ravenna harp, it may have a pre-drilled hole, which would be on the le quarter stave on the back of the
harp, covered by a plastic cap. If you have a pre-drilled hole, you can skip the drilling step.
Brad-point
drill bit
Standard
drill bit
Figure 3 – Drill bits
Note: Using a brad-point drill bit is important. is type of bit centers the hole and
holds the bit in place, helping to prevent damage caused by the drill bit sliding on the
surface of the harp. It can also help to ensure that the hole doesn’t get “wowed out” as
you drill. If needed, ½"brad-point bits are available from Dusty Strings.
Figure 1 – Prop up the harp

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Step 3: Mark Pickup Element Locations
Find the paper pickup locating template. Poke an awl or a nail1.
through any circles that are labeled for your harp model.
Fold the template on the dotted line near its pointed end. Tape2.
the fold at.
Slide the template into the harp through the bottom sound-3.
hole, folded end rst.
Place the template on the soundboard with the edge against the4.
soundboard lining on the le side of the harp. e lining is the
strip of wood that covers the joint between the soundboard and
the side of the harp.Position the template so the folded end
points directly at the highest F (blue) string (see gure 4). Tape
the template in place.
If you have a Dusty Double-Strung, see the sidebar on the right for
specic element location.
If you have a non-Dusty harp, see gray box below for more info.
Mark a pencil dot directly on the soundboard through each of5.
the holes you made in the template, or at the ends of the arrows
if the circles don’t apply to your harp model.
Testing Placement in a Non-Dusty Harp
Before gluing the pickup elements to the soundboard of a non-Dusty Strings harp, we advise using double-stick
tape to temporarily place the elements on the outside of the soundboard, using the template so you can nd the
same locations when you permanently install the pickup inside. en, plug into your amplier and see how it
sounds. You can tweak the sound a bit by adjusting the positions of the elements. Generally, moving the pickups
toward the middle of the soundboard will increase the signal strength (loudness) and moving them toward the
side of the harp will decrease the signal strength. Find the balance that is best for your harp. Be aware that the
overall signal strength will be diminished by using the double-stick tape. ere will be a much stronger signal
once the elements are glued in and the glue has cured.
Figure 4 – Marking Template pointing at high F
Pickup Placement in a Dusty Double-Strung
e upper two elements will be placed in the
center, between the two rows of strings (see g-
ure 5A), and the lowest element will be placed
towards the le side of the soundboard (see g-
ure 5B). For the lowest element, mark a pencil
dot on the soundboard at the end of the arrow
on the template. For the upper two elements,
follow where each arrow points and make your
mark in the center of the soundboard.
Figure 5B
Figure 5A

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Step 4: Mark Harness Clip Locations
If you have a Dusty Strings double-strung harp with circular holes drilled in the body braces, see page 7 and follow steps 4A-
6A instead.
F1. or Dusty Strings FH26, Allegro or Ravenna 26: Mark an ‘X’ on the soundboard lining approximately 1” toward
the base of the harp from each element location (see gure 4, previous page). is location is approximate, and can be
adjusted as needed.
For non-Dusty harps:2. You will need to use your judgement to place the clips in locations that make sense for that
particular harp. Just make sure the main harness can stay relatively straight, the clips are not stuck to the soundboard
or positioned close enough to buzz against the soundboard or other parts of the harp, and you’re not placing the har-
ness so far from the elements that it creates stress on the lead wires.
Carefully remove the template from inside the harp.3.
You should now have 3 clearly visible pencil dots on the soundboard and corresponding ‘X’ marks for the harness4.
clips on the lining.
Step 5: Attach Harness Clips
Note: Please read this section completely before attaching clips.
Place a paperclip or thin coin on the soundboard under the1.
lowest ‘X’ mark on the soundboard lining to act as a spacer.
is is to prevent the harness clip from touching the sound-
board and causing unwanted vibration.
Remove the paper backing from the self-adhesive patch on2.
one of the harness clips.
Use the spacer to position the bottom edge of the clip up o3.
the soundboard (see gure 6).
Firmly press the clip into place over the ‘X’ on the soundboard4.
lining, keeping it as square to the soundboard as possible. e
clip may be wider than the lining, and this is okay.
Remove the spacer.5.
Repeat for the remaining clips.6.
Step 6: Attach Pickup Harness
Slide the pickup harness up through the bottom sound hole, being careful to avoid dragging or bumping the jack1.
against the harp.
Orient the harness so the pickup element lead wires point toward the string rib, away from the side of the harp2. (see
gure 7 on next page).
Slide the rubber grommets on the harness so that they align with the clips while allowing the pickup elements to line3.
up with the marks on the soundboard.
Press the rubber grommets into the clips. e groove in each grommet should snap into place in the arms of the clip.4.
It is not necessary to twist the clips’ “ears” together.
Figure 6 – Example spacers
Soundboard Soundboard
lining
Spacers

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Step 7: Glue Pickup Elements in Place
Caution: Once the elements are glued on, they are very dif-
cult to remoe without damaging the pickup or the sound-
board. Be sure to practice using the tools as described in the
sidebar at right.
Starting with the top pickup element, follow this1.
sequence:
Apply the super glue to the pencil dot.a.
Keeping the pickup element parallel to the sound-b.
board (to ensure an even thickness of glue) press the
pickup down rmly and quickly onto the super glue
and hold in place with the rubber tip of the provided
pressure stick.
Important:c. Hold rmly for two minutes, without
moving the pickup element. To ensure a complete
glue bond, we recommend using a timer to make
sure you hold for a full two minutes.
e lead wire should naturally curve away from thed.
soundboard (see gure 7). If necessary, adjust the
pickup harness in the clips to ensure that the lead
wires won’t touch the soundboard and cause unwant-
ed vibration.
For all Dusty Strings harp models, the pickup ele-e.
ment lead wire will bend upward, toward the top of
the harp (see gure 7).
Proceed with the next pickup, and so on, until all are2.
done. Once the glue has set, any white fog of glue
residue le on the pickup elements can be removed by
wiping gently with a damp cloth.
Practice manipulating and placing the element
Hold a pickup element by its lead wire, and guide it1.
into position in the air over the pencil dot, parallel
to the soundboard surface. It’s best to drop the ele-
ment directly onto the glue dot rather than sliding
it along the soundboard. Sliding can be messy and
may interfere with the strength of the glue bond.
Position the element shiny side down, and practice2.
using the pressure stick to press the pickup element
down onto the soundboard.
A useful trick, especially when it’s dicult to get3.
both hands inside the harp, is to use double-stick
tape or poster putty to attach the element to the
pressure stick. en you can use the stick to position
the element instead of your hands. Once the glue
has cured for two minutes, you’ll be able to remove
the stick without pulling the element back up again.
Work with this until you have a feel for4.
manipulating and positioning the elements.
Practice controlling glue
Find the super glue practice dots located on the1.
Pickup Locating Template.
Touch the tip of the tube to the paper and squeeze2.
out just enough glue to ll the circle. is should be
less than a drop. is is enough glue to bond the en-
tire surface of the pickup to the soundboard without
excess that will run and soak into the soundboard.
Try to be as neat as possible.
When you have a feel for the right amount of glue,3.
begin gluing the pickups in place.
Pickup element lead wire
Top of harp
Figure 7 – Pickup Element Installation
String rib

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Dusty Strings • 3450 16th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 • 206-634-1656 • www.dustystrings.com
Step 8: Install the Jack
Note: If you have purchased the Dusty Harp Jack Clamp, follow the included Jack Clamp instructions instead for installing
the jack and tting the clamp on your harp.
Remove the tip nut, the retaining nut, and the outer washer from the jack1. (see gure 9a). Leave the lock washer, in-
ner washer, and inner nut in place.
Reach inside the harp and carefully push the end of the jack up through the hole you drilled in the back of the harp.2.
Adjust the inner nut so the step to the wider threads sits about ¹⁄₁₆" (1.5mm) below the outer surface of the harp
body (see gure 9b).
Put the outer washer on the jack followed by the retaining nut3. (see gure 9c). Snug down the retaining nut nger-
tight. e jack should be rmly held in place. If the jack is loose in the hole, loosen the retaining nut and adjust the
inner nut so that the outer washer and retaining nut can fully seat against the surface of the harp.
Place the 12mm wrench on the retaining nut. Insert the jack-tightening pin through the cross-drilled hole in the4.
threads of the jack. Hold the jack in position with the pin and use the 12mm wrench to rmly tighten the retaining
nut (see gure 9d).
Screw on the tip nut as tightly as you can, as there is the potential for an annoying buzz if it is not tightened prop-5.
erly. You can use pliers, but try not to mar the edges. If correctly installed, the end of the threaded portion of the jack
should be slightly visible in the chamfer at the end of the tip nut (see gure 9e). Your cable plug needs to be able to
make a rm connection with the jack; it should snap distinctly into place when inserted. If the threaded portion of
the jack is too far inside the tip nut, the cable plug can be stopped by the tip nut before it makes a good connection
with the jack. If this is the case, you will need to remove the tip nut, loosen the retaining nut, adjust the position of
the inner nut so that the end of the jack barrel is very slightly farther out, retighten the retaining nut and re-install
the tip nut.
Step 9: Test
Plug the pickup system into an amplier and use the pressure stick to lightly tap the backside of the soundboard near
each pickup element to make sure each is giving a signal. You can play your harp and use the pickup safely, but avoid
moving or jostling your harp for 24 hours. e tone and signal strength will improve over the next day as the super glue
cures to full hardness.
Congratulations! Now the installation process is complete. Please call us with any questions.
Figure 9b – Jack installation (cut-away
shown for clarity)
Wider
threads
Step
Surface
of harp
Figure 9c – Jack installation
Outer washer
Inner washer
Retaining nut
Inner nut
Lock washer
Figure 9a – Jack components
Tip nut
Retaining nut Outer washer
Inner nut
Inner washer Lock washer
Figure 9d – Tighten the jack Figure 9e – Optimal alignment
Tip nut
End of jack Chamfer

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Dusty Strings • 3450 16th Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119 • 206-634-1656 • www.dustystrings.com
Appendix: Alternate Steps for Some Dusty Strings
Double-Strung Harps
More recent Dusty Strings double-strung harps may have round holes drilled in the span braces (see gure 10) to enable a
quick and easy harness installation. If your harp has this feature, we suggest following steps 4A through 6A. If your harp does
not have these holes, go back to page 4 and follow the standard harness installation steps (step 4 to the end).
Step 4A: Remove Grommets
1. e pickup harness has three rubber grommets attached to it, and you’ll need to remove them in order to re-install
them in the next step. Using wire snips or a sharp blade, very carefully cut a single slice through each grommet with-
out slicing into the harness cable. You can then remove the grommets and they will keep their shape.
Step 5A: Feed Harness rough Holes in Braces
Starting from the bottom of the harp, feed the harness through the hole in each of the1.
three span braces. Carefully feed the pickup elements and their lead wires through as
well, being careful not to damage them. When you’re done, the top element and lead
wire should be above the top brace, the middle element should be above the middle
brace, and the lowest element should be above the lowest brace.
Slide the harness up or down until the pickup elements can easily reach the pencil2.
marks you made in step 3 without stretching the lead wires.
Step 6A: Secure Harness
To secure the harness in each brace, you will use the rubber grommets you removed in1.
step 4A. Open a rubber grommet and t it back onto the harness above the brace. Push
the grommet down into the hole in the brace until it feels snug. (See gure 10) Do this
for each brace.
If necessary, twist the harness so that the lead wires point towards the center of the2.
harp.
e upper end of the harness should oat free without touching the sides or sound-3.
board. (See gure 11)
Now you are ready to glue down the pickup elements. Return to page 5, step 7 in the main
instructions.
Figure 10
Figure 11