When it comes to travel-sized harps with 5C (C3) as the lowest string, there are many 24- to 27-string models to choose from, including the Salvi Juno 27, Camac Odyssey, and Harp-E, as well as many small models from folk harp makers, but why does no one offer a harp in pedal tension with this note range for pedal harpists to keep their dexterity and finger strength in-shape on extended vacations, particularly in hotel rooms, nevermind keeping calluses from disappearing? I know there are some methods for maintaining calluses without an instrument, such as emory boards, etc, but how nice would it be to have a small harp in pedal tension for this purpose? If enough harpists were to ask, say, Salvi about creating a Juno-sized model in pedal tension, would they maybe take up the challenge? Why are the L&H Ogden, Salvi Gaia, and Dusty Boulevard currently the smallest pedal-tension harps on the market?

I have a tiny 14-string travel “harp” made by Niebisch and Tree in the UK that is merely a right-triangle frame with 14 pedal nylon strings (3C up to 1B) for this purpose whose tension is quite high, which is better than nothing, but it’s not very fun to play since it’s mainly designed for one-handed playing, has so few strings, and is so high-pitched. I know John Pratt used to offer a 22-string “Sprite” model in pedal tension (4C up to 1C), but I don’t even know if he’s still in business since his website went defunct years ago, and he stopped returning calls and emails. A harp tech by the name of Mike Lewis has offered a similar model with one additional string in the low end (4B to 1C), but he also stopped answering my emails and calls years ago.

I don’t even travel much, but I just want to have something like this on hand “just in case”.

Thoughts?

-Gregg B.