Frequently asked questions

Are jaw harp, Jew's harp, khomus and vargan the same thing?

Yes. It is the same instrument: jaw harp or Jew's harp in English, khomus in Yakutia, vargan in Russia, Maultrommel in German. More names in the guide.

Which jaw harp should I buy first?

A mid-pitch one (octave 1, e.g. A1–D2) in stainless steel. The most affordable models are in the Beginner line (from €50, fixed note). How to choose the pitch: low, mid or high.

Steel or titanium?

Stainless steel is enough to start. Titanium is much lighter, has a different timbre and, in the same model, costs 1.9–2.7 times more. Comparison with prices and weights: steel or titanium.

How much does a jaw harp cost?

In our shop, from €50 to €325, VAT included. See all models.

Are the recordings real?

Yes. Each product page with a recording has 20 seconds from one of the workshop's videos in which that same model is played.

Do I pay when I send a request?

No. If the pieces are in stock, we email you a payment link; if they are made to order, we write when they reach our warehouse. Until you pay, you can cancel the request.

How long does delivery take?

In-stock items ship after payment: 2–4 working days to mainland Spain, 3–8 to the rest of the EU. Items not in stock are made to order: usually 8–12 weeks from the request. Details in Shipping.

Do you ship to other EU countries?

Yes, from our warehouse in Spain. Mainland Spain: €4.90, free from €60. Portugal: €7.90, free from €120. Rest of the EU: €9.90–€12.90, free from €150. To the Canary Islands without VAT (IGIC is paid at customs). See Shipping.

Can I return it if I have already played it?

Yes. You have 14 calendar days from delivery, even if you have played it: we clean and disinfect it when it comes back. See Withdrawal.

Is it legal to buy a Russian-made jaw harp in the EU?

Jaw harps (customs code 9208) are not on the EU list of Russian goods banned from import: Annex XXI of Regulation (EU) 833/2014, as consolidated in July 2026. That list does include instrument cases (code 4202), and we do not sell them. The list changes with every sanctions package. More in About.

Can I choose the exact note?

No. Each handmade instrument comes out slightly different: the product page gives the approximate base pitch. The Beginner models have a fixed note.

Do you sell to schools or wholesale?

No. We only sell to private customers.

Who is the seller?

Sergey Evstegneiev, self-employed (autónomo) in Lloret de Mar (Girona, Spain). Contact: hola@arpadeboca.es. More in About.