Hiking Harp

[adirondack]

Hi all,

Was looking for some advice on a portable harp. I’ve been living in a tight apartment building that prevents me from being able to practice loudly. That being said, I also live near lots of forests and hiking. I’m looking to buy a portable harp- and by portable I mean I can pop it on my back while hiking (so that I can play nice and loudly at the top of a remote mountain.)
My usual harp is a 33 string Witcher blade harp. I’ve found that recordings of fullsicles sound too thin, and smaller Dusty Strings harps, though they sound lovely, look too large.
I’m also trying to stay in the 1500 range if possible.
Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[balfour-knight]

Take another look at the Dusty Strings Ravenna 26. Not only is it a great little harp, but it has a wonderful transport case with backstraps to do just what you described–take on a hike! If a new one is a bit too pricey, look for a good used one.
Harp Hugs,
Balfour

[wil-weten]

As I guess you’re in the US (because you have a Witcher harp), for a great sound in a real small harp, I would have a look at the smaller Lewis Creek Harps. They’re not cheap though…

If it needs to sound real soft, but still sweet, a back yard music fireside harp might be suitable. You can even mount some levers on it (but beware it could become top heavy). This harp is really light-weight and the cardboard for the soundbox is said to be surprisingly sturdy. You’ll find several youtube clips with people playing them.

And finally, there are the Stoney End 22 string harps, available as single and/or double strung.

[balfour-knight]

Thanks, Wil. Musicmakers also has small, light-weight harps that would love to go on a hike!

[Gregg Bailey]

Here are some other makers who offer small harps:

-Rees Morgan Meghan (27 strings), has larger soundbox than the Harpsicles

-MariniMadeHarps makes several wearable models

-Blevins makes multiple lap harp models

-Salvi Juno 27 or Juno 25 (the the 27-string model isn’t wearable while the 25-string version is wearable but only goes down to 5E)

-Camac Odyssey (wearable but weighs about 12 pounds)

Let us know what you decide to get!

-Gregg

[Gregg Bailey]

Some additional thoughts:

As Balfour mentioned, MusicMakers offers a small wearable harp (the Sonnet, which has 29 strings C-C) I believe it only weighs 9 pounds for such a large note range!

As for the Rees Morgan Meghan, for whatever reason, the case doesn’t normally come with backpack straps, so those would have to be requested.

There’s also the Harp-E, which is mainly an electric harp, but Josh Layne has taken his on hikes and played it acoustically. It’s got a very different sort of look to it!

-Gregg

[balfour-knight]

Gregg, thanks for all this great research! These all would make great hiking harps!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour

[caitwebb]

This might not be exactly what you want, but I have just acquired one of these super-portable harps: https://www.travel-harp.com/mini-luna-2×22-double-strung/

It is a very clever design that results in dimensions of 50 x 33 cm and weight of less than 2kg, while still good quality to play (high tension) and a very pleasant, if quiet, sound (you can also order it with a pick-up and the amplified sound is very good, and as loud as you like). At this size it is completely plausible to take hiking, as well as fitting within the cabin baggage size restrictions of almost all airlines.

It does not have levers but as a double harp you have the option to tune accidentals in one set of strings, which can extend the range of playable pieces.

I have no association with the maker other than being a very satisfied customer, after looking for something like this for ages. So I hope the information may be useful to others!

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