Contents

Introduction & methodology

History of wire

Materials

Experiments

Copper
Bronze
Brass
Latten
Sterling silver
Billon
Queen Mary silver
Viking silver
Findruine
Gold
Composite wire
Non-drawn wire
Wrought iron

Conclusions

Introduction

TO THE READER, You have for a long time been asking about the many and varied experiments with the ancient harp wire, which was made by Daniel Tokar, the metaismith, and which Ann Heymann, the pioneer of the Gaelic harp revival, has been testing and using on her harps.

These experiments are unfinished; indeed, they continue to this day with yet more unusual and unique alloys and processes. But, as they say, "The half is more than the whole", and thus I have been prevailed upon to draw together some small account of the original experiments which were conducted soon after the smith and the harper first met, from 2005 to 2007. The nature of the collaboration carried out at a distance with parcels of metal and reports being exchanged,
encouraged me to present the experimenters' work near enough in their own words. And the eager enthusiasm of friends who have heard the hand-made wires in use, or who have some of these wires installed on their own harps, has led to the appearance now of this unusual little book.

I know that some of you seek to immerse yourselves in the lore and traditions of the old Gaelic music, while others amongst you love nothing more than to pore over charts and tables which lay before you the measurements and results of practical experiments. It ismy sincere hope that this dialogue will satisfy you all, and that you accept it with your customary goodwill.