Is it OK to replace a harp string with an adjacent string?
I'm trying to fix up my girlfriend's Salvi concert harp, but just as I finally got the whole thing stringed and tuned, another string broke, and sadly, we did not have this specific string in stock.
However, I figure that it can't hurt all that much to use a different string. She uses Bow Brand natural gut strings; we need a 3rd octave D, and I'm contemplating to use a 3rd octave E string.
Is this OK with a harp, or is this considered bad practice?
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It's obviously better to replace the string with its actual string, but as I'm sure you're aware the adjacent strings are a similar gauge and should not pose any issues, if you don't make a habit out of it. I'd suggest stringing it up with the 3rd octave E String and ordering a replacement string as soon as possible.
It would be more harmful to leave that string unstrung. I string my harp with gut strings from octaves 6-3 and octaves 2-1 with nylon strings. I also keep a full set of nylon strings as my backup in case a string breaks and I do not have that gut string anymore. The price for nylon strings is a lot cheaper. I would highly suggest keeping a spare set of nylon strings or two for events like this. Then swap out the nylon string when you get your gut strings in. The only downside to this is that the tonality of the harp will change a bit due to the differences of strings in the same octave.
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