Quartzophone FAQ
are Quartzophone® instruments the best crystal harps?
Yes: Quartzophone instruments are superior to any imitation. They feature patented mechanisms that promote divine, crystal-clear, warm and powerful tones, with a sustained sound. Tap gently with our striker: pure sound waves envelop you in an absolutely incredible way! Quartzophone crystal harps consistently create long-lasting, celestial tones with a rich vibrato and a huge range of volume. They are so beautiful, our customers tell us that they should be exhibited in museums! Covered by a one year warranty. Unlimited longevity, since they can be repaired if necessary, by the customer (see below).
What happens if a tube on my Quartzophone instrument breaks?
No need to ship your Quartzophone instrument back to us for repairs: due to the ingenious mechanics and thoughtful design of our instruments, you can repair it yourself! Contact us to order a repair kit: we will ship the all necessary items to you (tube, string, instructions). Regarding the strings on Quartzophone instruments: the strings we use are extremely robust and with normal use, last for many years. If at some point you need to replace the strings, you can do this yourself: contact us for instructions.
I saw a “crystal harp” somewhere else: is it the same instrument as yours?
No way! In order to avoid infringing our patents, other manufacturers must use a mechanism that is different from ours. On imitations, the sound is strangled by multiple strings or rubber bands wrapped tightly around the tubes: the result is a weak, flat sound that fades quickly away. On these instruments, if a tube breaks, the entire instrument must be returned to the manufacturer for repair (China, Russia, Poland) — at the customer's expense. Or worse yet, the manufacturer does not offer any after-sales service whatsoever! Their rigid packaging system often results in broken tubes during shipment. Inferior striker design means that, no matter how carefully one strikes the tubes, the striker makes unpleasant, banging attack sounds. It’s no wonder that these manufacturers do not offer any warranty on their products.
Is a hard case necessary to best protect my instrument?
Not at all: quite the opposite, actually! When it comes to the harsh handling goods very often receive during shipping, a hard case is problematic, because vibrations and shockwaves are transferred directly to the instrument. As a result, more often than not the instrument gets damaged - tubes break, etc. We know of what we speak, having purchased all the knockoffs. In the beginning (2011), we even experimented with a rigid case for instruments. However, after testing it, we quickly abandoned that idea and came up with a superior packing system: a padded case, flexible packaging materials, a sturdy cardboard box. We recommend that customers keep all the packing materials that come with their instrument: that way, the instrument can be securely packed for shipping. And of course, one should always insure valuable items against loss or damage. To sum in up: our packing system has proven to be the absolute best protection for Quartzophone crystal harps!
What is the best striker to play this kind of instrument?
The striker is to the crystal harp what the bow is to the violin, an essential component that colors the sound; a striker should enhance the sound, rather than make it unpleasant. Our striker is patented, the result of several years of R & D. It features a rounded tip, covered in felt. It makes such a sweet sound! When you activate a tube or slide the striker over several tubes, all you hear are pure, celestial tones soaring out.
Is it possible to play a Quartzophone instrument with your hands? Some people do it on YouTube: is this a gimmick or not?
It may be possible to play your instrument with your hands, but there would not be much of an advantage. The sound quality produced, while somewhat interesting, is extremely weak - both in volume and duration. Also, one has to use water, and it has been reported that with time, this leaves mineral deposits on the tubes and corrodes the pins. As these unfortunate side-effects are irreversible, we do not advise it.