The Aquaharp

If that video was not enough for you, watch this one. It is slightly less dramatic, but it does convey a bit more information about the actual function of the Aquaharp and the sound it produces.

The Aquaharp is based on the Waterphone, invented by Richard Waters.

Step 1 Materials / Tools

Materials:

• A Round Cake Pan - Just a metal cake pan
• Some Thin Metal Rods - Old metal clothes hangers work perfectly
• Sheet Metal It just has to be big enough to fit the cake pan on
• A Metal Pipe - At least 1.5 inches in diameter
• Rope - The more comfortable for your hands the better
• Heavy Solder or Welding Supplies - Just something to melt metal
• Waterproof Epoxy - Used to make the Aquaharp water-tight
• Water - H2O
• A Horse Hair Bow - Normally used to play violins, cellos and other similar instruments
• Rosin - To put on the bow

Tools:

• A Drill and Drill Bits - Used to put holes in things
• Sheet Metal Sheers - For cutting the sheet metal
• Bolt Cutters - Used to cut the metal rods
• A Metal File - Just for smoothing some of the metal pieces
• Optional: Rotary Tool - It just makes some steps faster and easier
• A Vice - Useful for holding stuff
• A Tape Measure - For measuring the lengths of things
• Leather Gloves - For safety while you cut the sheet metal
• A Hot Glue Gun - It melts glue then shoots it out
• A Soldering Iron or Gun - If you are using solder and not welding
• Optional: Metal Polish - To make your Aquaharp look pretty

Comments

[generalshaky]

How long r the rods supposed to be for this thing?

[Notharir]

Thing looks like you'd die if you tripped holding it... o.o but it's AWESOME. :D

[richiendn]

It can be heard at the beginning of Aerosmith, "janie got a gun". Used a lot on "Alien Nation" Sci-fi Series.

[Demon_Darkchild]

awesome! when played with a bow it sounds like music from a scary movie.

[Goodhart]

I am curious as to why it is called an aquaharp ? _{was it supposed to originally be played underwater?}

[Kiteman]

It has water in the base when played.

[Goodhart]

Oy, I was up TOO early this morning.... I had better take a nap before it is time to go to work _{no need falling asleep on the job >.<}

[Goodhart]

BTW: thank you.

[Kiteman]

You're welcome.

[thingy]

Carl Orff = instant internet gold!!!

[JuxtaposedIToldYouSo]

I've thought about trying to make something like this before I just didn't know where to start exactly. The noises that this thing makes are so ethereal. Richard Waters charges an arm and a leg for his waterphone. Its good to see that someone isn't afraid to let him know that you can't just "own" natural physics. I want to make this.

[Renagade]

hmmm very intresting, the sound with the bow was kewl! btw what music did you use for the (epic) video?

[AndyGadget]

The music is Carmina Burana - Composed by Carl Orff.

[mikeasaurus]

spooky! great build!

[dethshil]

Has a cool sound...I like it..makes me think of the Planet of the Apes.