Small Pedal Harps?

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This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 8 months ago by Kathleen Martin.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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July 29, 2012 at 8:02 pm #69096

Kathleen Martin
Participant

I have a Salvi Egan. I have been studying Suzuki for 6 years and finally am in Book 3 (halfway) Slow progress due to travel, broken arm, etc etc., but now in Book 3 I am finally liking playing and motivated to progress faster with more intense work. AT this point I am finding levers annoying and wonder if I would find a pedal harp a little more comfortable. I Know that the Salvi Daphne is only 54″ tall, and would be looking for a small pedal harp since I anticipate moving into smaller apartment in the next couple of years. Any advice on :

|1) Switching from lever to pedal harp – how hard is it to make the transition?

2) Merits of Various Pedal harps-I play usually for myself or small groups, no ambition or skill thus far to play orchestrally.

3) My harp is 6 years old, in great condition but too old to meet the posted trade in policies of Lyon and Healy West (which is the nearest harp center–I live in Idaho–my harp teacher is 150 miles away). Any suggestion on the best way to sell the harp and how to price it–its current list price is $5500.

Thanks to anyone for advice!

July 29, 2012 at 9:09 pm #69097

diana-day
Participant

After the study you’ve done, I don’t think you’ll find it hard at all to move to pedal harp. Be sure to try the Lyon & Healy Chicago 40 — they have a lovely tone and only weigh 62 pounds — light by pedal harp standards.

August 6, 2012 at 12:26 am #69098

patricia-jaeger
Member

If you are in Idaho and wish to sell your lever harp, the Salvi Egan, I suggest getting in touch with http://www.reigningharps.com, the folk harp web site of the Puget Sound area in Washington State. Many lever harp players and owners are in this area, and there is a monthly online newsletter. When you have browsed in the parts of this site you will see a list of teachers and performers, with contact information.

August 6, 2012 at 2:01 am #69099

sherry-lenox
Participant

When you are ready to buy your pedal harp, don’t forget the Lyon and Healy CPO pages.

I have a really wonderful 85 P that was very very reasonably priced when I bought it.

August 14, 2012 at 4:59 am #69100

Kathleen Martin
Participant

After some investigation, I looked have heard that the 85P or Chicago 40 is maybe too small, and am thinking of a larger harp, still hoping for lighter weight. I looked at preowned L&H 85 Grand Petite (44 str) but it was suggested to me by a l&H rep that the sound was dead, and less full than the 85 P. I have heard that the Camac is lighter and they have a 44 str Clio which is 68″ tall and 55 lbs. Any experience with Camac?

August 14, 2012 at 5:05 am #69101

Kathleen Martin
Participant

Thanks(!) for the contact with the folk harp website in Puget sound, I will investigate. I did post the harp in SLC Craigs list , for 4300 which is less than I see them selling for used at various websites and will see if I get any inquiries. If none in the SLC area I may post in the Puget sound area.

I am having some concerns about the size of the small pedal harps, the L&H Chicago 40 measures smaller height and width than my Egan, and I am thinking I’d like 44 strings. Am also considering a Camac since they are so much lighter than other pedalharps due to the cable connections. do you have any experience with these?

August 14, 2012 at 8:51 pm #69102

patricia-jaeger
Member

Sorry, no experience with Camacs, or with a 40-string Lyon and Healy pedal harp. My first pedal harp years ago was a

August 14, 2012 at 9:17 pm #69103

poppy-rose
Participant

I recently purchased a Lyon and Healy 85GP, and love it. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gotten a concert grand, but every time I load it in and out of my Honda CRV, I’m so glad I didnt! A 44 string harp does not require a mini van to move it, and if you play for long periods of time, it’s more comfortable. ( for me anyway)

August 19, 2012 at 2:59 pm #69104

Pat Eisenberger
Participant

Hi Kathleen – I tried selling my pedal harp (I’m strictly lever now) for a couple of years. Then I contacted several harp teachers in the area. In a couple of months the harp was sold to a student!

August 23, 2012 at 1:51 am #69105

mia-strayer
Participant

i own a l & h 85 GP

i love my harp

44 string is more than enough

69 ibs is good for someone who is about 4ft

the sound is rich, warm & good for solo harping

the extended soundboard is big & beautiful

August 23, 2012 at 7:57 pm #69106

jessica-wolff
Participant

At just under 5’0″, I would have been delighted with either the Style 12 (I’ve stood next to one) or the Progress (I’ve played one).

September 1, 2012 at 12:33 am #69107

Kathleen Martin
Participant

Thanks to everyone. I went to SLC and played and had played for me several harps at two showrooms and put a deposit on a L&H 85GP which has a very sweet but resonant sound (at least to my ear’s and my husband’s) It is the last of the line being built in Chicago, and will be sent to Utah. I hope I like it as well as the one I played (already spoken for)

: )
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