Carbon Fiber Concert Harps….Please soon!

[erin-wood]

I played a Venus harp with the carbon fiber in it yesterday.

[barbara-low]

On the whole, there aren’t a lot of harps with carbon fiber boards out there, but with my limited experience, I have played some that were really extraordinary.

[Christian Frederick]

Does anyone have insight if the traditional exposed metal part of a harp (tuning pins, nuts, pedals, discs, etc.) can be made with a carbon based material?

I did notice that the tuning pins on the violins, violas, and cellos are made of a carbon based material.

There is an interesting story at the Luis and Clark website (under Natural Disasters) that explains the success story of a cello surviving two weeks under water after Hurricane Katrina.

I also have noticed that the instrument insurance policies exclude intruments within a certain distance from the ocean. I’ve heard horror stories how the metal parts of a piano along the coast have been destroyed within a year. I’m sure the harp would be the same.

[andy-b]

But you’d have to consider the entire action of the harp if you’re going that route…

[Evangeline Williams]

A carbon based material?

[Briggsie B. Peawiggle]

So are we…

[David Ice]

Carl wrote, “Everybody wants the sound of a 40 year old harp on a brand new instrument, but the only way to get that, and I mean THE ONLY WAY, is to make the board too thin. And in a couple of years it is pulled up.”

I have read the postings, and feel I must jump in here.

[unknown-user]

Yes, I agree that we often do not get good harps in this part of the world. And how a I know this is that I studied in the states and also travelled there a couple of times to choose harps and visited the factories and showrooms around the country…so I’m not entirely and Oakie from Kinoakie! (hayseed)

Not all Camac have Carbon fibre boards, I saw a couple in the states that (I think) had Carbon fibre in them, and agree that they had great projection in the 4th to 5th range but the upper – treble – was very weak and unpleasant tonally. I found them uneven.

The

[unknown-user]

I would like to add David, that this is your experience of one harp and their dealings with you. It sounds like you have had a terrific experience and have a truly special harp…but it is not the only experience out there. And you have to be very careful when you encourage people to buy a certain brand of harp, as they may not have the same experience at all.

From many discussions with harpist all over the world in recent months, I would not recommend any particular brand of harp to anyone – without pointing out that all harps vary and all experiences with harp companies vary. You need to not just order a harp based on what someone elses harp is like, but make sure you go and check that instrument that you are actually going to be sent personally, and take someone with someone that really knows about harps. An experienced player that knows something about structure etc. or a technician from another company.

[David Ice]

Rosemary,

I was responding to comments that carbon fiber could not/should not be used.

[unknown-user]

Bring on the dark ages then…I dunno.

I did not say that you should not talk about your harp, I was saying that I am much more careful with public endorsements of harps (ALL Companies) and maybe you should consider that too. I was pointing out that there are other experiences. And to be responsible of ones endorsement when recommending harps, which you have done on many occassions already, it might be good to recommend that people, see, play and try the harp themselves.

I did not attempt or mean to “crucify” you. I do not understand why you are so cross.

But I will say in general that if you put an endorsement out on a public forum you can expect people that do not agree will debate, counter and comment on what you are doing. And to expect that

[unknown-user]

….and PS. how much do you want for the Wurlitzer?

[David Ice]

In this forum Rosemary O’Carroll has publically stated to and about me, “I have

[unknown-user]

Yep, I said you were a rep, as in you a teacher rep. What’s wrong with that? Sorry you find that so offensive. You want an public apology, that’s fine – you have it.

[unknown-user]

And I still want to know how much you are selling your Wurlitzer for…

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