Kit Harps, how good are they?

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This topic has 18 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 7 months ago by Karen Johns.

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October 5, 2004 at 4:00 am #161478

unknown-user
Participant

Hi Jeremy

I’m afraid I can’t comment on kit harps, but you might check out Denwar harps in Australia http://www.harpsales.com/ (although at time of posting the site wasn’t responding). There are some excellent comments about his harps on this board.

Also try Harps & Harps who are in NSW. They have a very comprehensive website http://www.harps.com.au/ and stock a good range including Camac harps. I have just acquired a Camac pedal harp which I love, but have heard great things about their lever harps too and may consider one in the future. I also find their UK prices very reasonable at the moment and the euro/pound exchange is not especially favourable.

I’m sure you will get plenty of comments about building harps too – hope this is a useful alternative suggestion! Good luck, Jen

October 5, 2004 at 4:00 am #161479

unknown-user
Participant

From experiences of the harpers in my area, I haven’t heard very good feedback about Kit Harps.
If your wife is /wants to be serious about the harp I would keep searching.. if it is a romantic gesture /gift a Kit Harp would be fine.
I’m pretty sure that harps are duty free..

October 5, 2004 at 4:00 am #161477

unknown-user
Participant

I am considering building a harp for my wife from a kit; probably a
36 Clarsarch or something like.

October 6, 2004 at 4:00 am #161480

evelyn-tiffany-castiglioni
Participant

You might also try Andrew Thom Harps in Tasmania.

October 12, 2004 at 4:00 am #161481

unknown-user
Participant

If you go with one of the reputable kit makers, you can get very
good results.

November 1, 2004 at 5:00 am #161482

unknown-user
Participant

Greetings Jeremy from DENWAR HARPS

November 27, 2004 at 5:00 am #161483

unknown-user
Participant

I would suggest Musicmakers.

November 27, 2004 at 5:00 am #161484

unknown-user
Participant

I’ve built kits from three different companies, and the Musicmakers are by far the best.

February 14, 2005 at 5:00 am #161485

john-durgan
Participant

Hi,

I built a music makers kit several months ago as a starter instrument.

January 31, 2009 at 6:19 pm #161486

william-weber
Participant

A kit harp can be superior, but expect to take a week or more to assemble and glue the many parts. The Gothic Harp kit from Maryland-based based James Cox, Luthier. Ltd

January 31, 2009 at 7:29 pm #161487

Liam M
Participant

Well Jeremy I see your post is from 2004. I would suspect you have either built a kit or moved on.

However, commenting on Kits, Plan Builts, in the whites and scratch builts; there is a certain additional level of enjoyment that comes with playing an instrument that you have been intimate in bringing to voice.

I would recommend it highly to all who wish to try. Start with what you feel comfortable with and progress as you wish. I believe Audrey’s Tony has possibly one of the most interesting stories here with the Franken Harp… But it is her tale to tell…..

January 31, 2009 at 8:40 pm #161488

Audrey Nickel
Participant

Yep…Tony build “Frankie” out of PVC parts, following plans he bought from John Kovac:

http://www.johnkovac.com/piperharp.html

Here’s the finished result:

January 31, 2009 at 10:01 pm #161489

Karen Johns
Participant

Audrey,

You might be interested to know that the Voyageur can also be strung with wire strings, in case you want a larger wire-strung in the future. If you want to go with nylon, I recommend getting the performance set. The gut strings in the baritone range have a beautiful warm and mellow sound. You really can’t go wrong with the Voyageur model- it was the first harp Dave & I built from Musicmaker’s kits and it turned out great.

January 31, 2009 at 11:11 pm #161490

Audrey Nickel
Participant

Thanks for the input, Karen.

February 1, 2009 at 12:05 am #161491

Karen Johns
Participant

Isn’t there a synthetic gut string? I think it might be called Burgundy? I’ll check on these…
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