what is a Door harp?

Door harps originated in Scandinavia, mostly in Sweden but also in Norway and Denmark and has evolved over time. It’s estimated the door harp has been around for about 700 years. It was inspired by the Chinese Feng Shui tradition of hanging bells or chimes around doors and windows to “alter the Chi” (good energy in, bad energy out).

The Swedish adopted this idea but instead of bells, they incorporated the strings and beads which you see on the modern day door harp. The original superstition behind them was to repel evil spirits but has since evolved to signify welcome, luck, health and prosperity to all that pass through the door. It is usually hung on the inside of the front door (some hang it on the outside but this will make it easier for the wood to get warped and the strings to go out of tune)

The door harp is a flattened hollow box made from various kinds of hardwood that comes in many different shapes and sizes, with hanging balls that bounce off the strings which are tuned to different notes. The amount of strings can vary from 3 to as many as a dozens (or more!). Traditionally the strings were made of braided silk, however, these days they are usually wire.

Written by Eric Azumi on May 14th, 2017

Our Door Harps

To place an order, please contact Todd at 530.273.1449, or send an email to mmwsales1@gmail.com.

3 string decorative inlay

$129

3 string simple inlay

$107

4 string decorative inlay

$141

4 string simple inlay

$121

5 string decorative inlay

$161

5 string simple inlay

$135

7 string decorative inlay

$275

7 string simple inlay

$215

Hand Crafted in the Pacific Northwest

Moon Mountain Woods was started by a craftsman by the name of Gary Upton about 35 years ago. It was formerly known as Gary Upton Woodworking, which was based out of Grass Valley, California. After some time, the business was sold and became Apple Woods. Bob Murphy, also from Grass Valley, purchased the business around 2005 and changed the name to Moon Mountain Woods. The company flourished under Bob's tutelage in sales, products, and quality.

This is what was so intriguing about the company and piqued my interest enough to purchase Moon Mountain Woods in 2020. Under Bob's mentorship, I was exposed to the intricate necessities required to not only maintain the business, but to hopefully grow the business by adding new products.

I look forward to this challenge and the opportunity to provide customers with handmade products that can last a lifetime.
Todd Preimsberg
Owner

Staff

Charlie

Bella

Gallery

Using a variety of routers, sanders and clamps, door harps have roughly 30 different steps that needed to be completed to build one complete door harp.

 Using only natural and sustainable hardwoods, Moon Mountain Woods makes their door harps to last a lifetime. 

FAQ

What types of woods are used?

We only use natural/sustainable woods to construct our door harps including: cherry, walnut, maple, padauk, and canarywood. 

How do i order?

Please contact Todd via email (mmwsales@gmail.com) or phone (530.273.1449) to purchase or receive more information on door harps.

What is included in a door harp purchase?

You will receive a door harp, tuning wrench, and informational card with your purchase. 

Can i tune the door harp to a certain note?

Maybe – with the different types, densities, & thicknesses of the woods used you may or may not be able to achieve a certain sound due to the variety of variables. This is not a musical instrument, it is a decorative item that produces soothing sounds. 

How do you tune a door harp?

A tuning wrench is included with the purchase. To tune the harp, you adjust the pins with the tuning wrench to the desired sound.

How are door harps attached?

Each door harp has a keyhole drilled into the back. Insert a screw into the door and the harp will fit tightly into screw head. 

Can my door harp be repaired?

Yes, we should be able to repair a broken string or missing striker ball. Repairs usually take 1-3 days

To repair a door harp, please send the harp and a check for $30 made out to Moon Mountain Woods to:

9806 Fox St
Aumsville, OR 97325

Please include the return address, email address, and phone number.

contact Us

Moon Mountain Woods is looking for wholesale dealers. For more information, contact Todd at the phone number or email address below.