Mikel Harp Review 7/31/23 (40 String)
The harp itself is beautiful, mostly from a distance as the finish is poorly applied. I’m not complaining; you get what you pay for and I made a bad choice choosing a Blue finish and expecting it to look smooth and one single tone of blue all over. I should have went with a natural finish, painting is not within Mikel’s skill set, but I didn’t know that ahead of time. Finish is bubbly and inconsistent in color. . . I stared at it for a while, thinking of how I could remove the finish completely without damaging it. . . I don’t know, so I’ll leave it. Try to get use to it, let it grow on me.
The carrying bag that came included with the harp in the description was the reason I purchased the harp in the first place -value for your money. That was what pushed me to buy it on eBay rather than directly through their website where the carrying bag is a separate fee. However, it appears the item description from the seller is misleading, it says “Weighing 15.8kg and coming with it’s own carrying bag to enable transport” . . . How else was I supposed to interpret that sentence? When people say “I am coming with you” that means they go together, it’s a package deal. . . It’s okay, I brought some cargo blankets from Amazon to sew together and make my own harp case but the whole reason I went for this product was because it was an all inclusive deal.
Honestly, I just got it home a few hours ago and the customs/ cargo/ brokerage process was an extended nightmare, such that I am too tired after all of that to tune it and hear what it sounds like. So, as yet I don’t know. I hope it sounds as bright and full as reviews say. . . As long as no one stands too close while I’m playing; it will look like a picture of beauty.
I’m not beating up on Mikel, I am as happy as can be expected when purchasing an instrument sight unseen. It’s fine. . . I did this to myself. I’m an adult, no one made me buy this. It is what it is.
