Lyon & Healy 46 string pedal harp

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This topic has 9 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 5 months ago by jessica-wolff.

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)

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November 30, 2010 at 2:56 am #72926

Thomas Trotter
Participant

Hi, I recently was given a big Lyon & Healy 46 string (I think) harp with 7 pedals.

November 30, 2010 at 3:26 am #72927

Thomas Trotter
Participant

November 30, 2010 at 4:01 am #72928

anita-burroughs-price
Participant

November 30, 2010 at 4:02 am #72929

brook-boddie
Participant

Tom,

You have

November 30, 2010 at 4:10 am #72930

catherine-rogers
Participant

12850 is the serial number. You could call Lyon & Healy at their toll-free number and they could tell you when it was made and the model. Looks like an 85 series semi-grand. The 85s have come in several different sizes and some minor redesign since they first appeared; originally there was the concert grand (47 strings) and the semi-grand (46). Then appeared the petite (40 strings) and the grand petite (44).

In the photo it looks like you have a couple of plug in connections on the right side of the base. Your harp may be electric. Some close up pictures of the base, the soundboard and the kneeblock (that tight curve above the shortest strings where the neck joins the body) would be helpful.

By the way, put the pedals in the highest notch if possible when not in use. Takes pressure off the strings. A certified harp technician could tell you what repairs it needs to make it playable and/or salable, should you wish to sell it.

November 30, 2010 at 2:47 pm #72931

Tacye
Participant

12850 probably means it was made in the late 1990s as the serial number is
not too far off mine.

November 30, 2010 at 3:41 pm #72932

rod-wagoner
Participant

Congratulations on getting a pedal harp as a gift!

November 30, 2010 at 5:46 pm #72933

john-strand
Participant

Hi – I also think you have an electric model with the solid (non-acoustic) soundboard – I can see that the center strip where the strings come through looks totally flat – an acoustic would tend to have “bowed” up a bit toward the lower strings – also, it doesn’t look like there is any difference in the string holes in the soundboard between the wire strings and the gut strings – so there are likely pickups on each of those holes and they would all look the same – if you look through the sound holes on the back you will probably see a lot of wires to one side of the center strip –

December 1, 2010 at 12:54 am #72934

Thomas Trotter
Participant

December 1, 2010 at 3:08 am #72935

jessica-wolff
Participant

The technique isn’t necessarily the same for small harps. Depends on whether the harp is closer to a pedal harp or more of a folk harp.
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