Opinions of Thormahlen Harps

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This topic has 19 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by Amber M.

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April 3, 2004 at 5:00 am #155287

unknown-user
Participant

I have just started learning the harp. I had a lap harp given to me.
It is hard for me to hold. I am looking into buying a bigger lever
harp. I was thinking of a Thormahlen harp. Specifically the Swan or
Cygnet. Does anyone have any comments on either of these models? A
second and third pick would be Dusty Strings or William Rees. I like
the Celtic

April 5, 2004 at 4:00 am #155288

unknown-user
Participant

Hi Heide!

I’ve been playing the harp for a year–started on a Pakistani or “ghetto harp” and about a month later, bought a rosewood Thormahlen Swan with gut strings.

April 8, 2004 at 4:00 am #155289

kim-adamson
Participant

Hi Hiede,

April 13, 2004 at 4:00 am #155290

unknown-user
Participant

Hi Heide, If you scroll down approximately 66 postings you will find one called “crack in soundboard”.

April 16, 2004 at 4:00 am #155291

unknown-user
Participant

Your answers have all been great, thank you! I was wondering about the cracks in the sound board and varnish. Could it be that the humidity was too low? Also do you need to polish your harp with wood polish.

thanks, Heide

April 26, 2004 at 4:00 am #155292

unknown-user
Participant

Hi Heide!

In response to whether humidity is the reason for cracking.

May 9, 2004 at 4:00 am #155293

Alicia D. Strange
Participant

Hi Heide,

I have owned a Nylon strung Maple/Spruce Cygnet for a year (purchased 2003)… without having any cracking varnish issues.

May 29, 2004 at 4:00 am #155294

mary-savard
Participant

Hi Cyndee:

December 7, 2004 at 5:00 am #155295

unknown-user
Participant

Both Thormahlen and Dusty Strings are excellent harps with high quality tone and solid construction. I own a double strung Thormahlen Swan. Thormahlen is one of the few companies that build a full size double harp, and these harps are solid and stable in their construction even when they are subjected to twice the string tension. The lower tension of the Dusty Strings harps result in the base wires ringing for a longer period of time which is aesthetically similar to a wire harp and they generally have a brighter tone. The moderate tension on the Thormahlen allow for a wider dynamic range and more clarity in the base, which is more akin to a pedal harp, but it still has a folk harp tone quality. When choosing between harps of such high quality, you can’t really go wrong.

July 16, 2012 at 2:30 pm #155296

kay-lister
Member

My lever harp is a Swan and I LOVE it!

July 18, 2012 at 12:43 pm #155297

deb-l
Participant

Kay, do you have concert tension pedal harp gut strings on your swan?

July 18, 2012 at 2:20 pm #155298

sherry-lenox
Participant

I have convinced myself that I need just one more new harp, and there are a couple very fine brands that I’ve played and am considering, but the truth is that once you’ve owned and played a Thormahlen there is just something about them that you can’t forget.

I unexpectedly have an old Thormahlen Swan visiting me today, and no matter how ridiculous it may sound, just strumming through a scale or two on that beautiful old harp just brings that old feeling right back again.

I would not give up my Serenade if someone offered me three times what I paid for it, and even though I’ll be playing the other brands that I’ve been considering, I can’t wait to get to Somerset to play some of the different Thormahlen styles that will be there.

July 18, 2012 at 2:30 pm #155299

kay-lister
Member

Deb –

July 18, 2012 at 2:33 pm #155300

kay-lister
Member

Also to add that the wood on my Swan is Bulbinga, which also will make a difference in sound.

K

July 18, 2012 at 4:36 pm #155301

deb-l
Participant

thanks for the info Kay.
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