- Oscar Schmidt was founded in 1879 and produced a line of autoharps (among other stringed instruments) into the 1920s through five European factories and one factory in New Jersey. The Oscar Schmidt brand of autoharp lives on today through Illinois-based US Music Corp.
- Oscar Schmidt autoharps boast up to 47 strings that are tuned diatonically or chromatically. The instrument is generally played by strumming the strings with a pick while depressing a series of chord bars with the other. The chord bars--which come in 15- and 21-button configurations--sit atop the strings and, when pushed down, create the desired chords.
- Oscar Schmidt autoharps are constructed of laminated wood, solid spruce tops, mahogany and maple. Each string is accompanied by a pin block of tuners as well as a tuning block opposite the pin block that can be turned to fine-tune the instrument.
- The Oscar Schmidt line of autoharps includes 13 models that feature distinctive finishes and configurations. Popular models include the Classic, Berkshire, Appalachian and 1930s Reissue.
- Retail prices for a new Oscar Schmidt autoharp generally range from $330 to nearly $600. Players can choose between vinyl gig bags or hard cases when purchasing an autoharp. Some models feature electronic pickup systems for amplifying the autoharp.
