new harp + strings

[shannon-schumann]

Hi, everyone —

I just bought a new Fullsicle, to have something that is more portable than my regular harp. It came in the mail today, and I’m excited, BUT —

After tuning it, it sounds, well, wonky is the only word I can think to describe it. The notes don’t have a nice center, and even when the tuner says the strings are in tune, it sounds out of tune.

I know that it will take some time for the strings to settle down and keep their pitch, but is this also true for the tone — will the tone become more consistent as the strings settle down? Or is this just how Harpsicles sound? Or did I get a bum one?

I hear it especially in the low register, where the tension is very low. My regular harp is a Merlin, which also has very low tension, but has a beautiful tone, in my opinion.

I’ve had my other harp for 4 years, and have only changed a few strings at a time, so I don’t know what to think.

thanks for any and all advice about this.

nervously,

Shannon

[Ann]

I’d suggest you contact William Rees and express your concerns. Harpsicles have their limitations but Rees is very concerned about the quality of his harps, even the little ones. He’s the one who will know best.

Here’s the Rees Harps contact page. There’s an email link, and also their phone number is at the bottom of the page:

Contact Rees

[shannon-schumann]

I wanted to give an update. After a while, the harp sounded better. Then worse, then better….. I have been up in the air about what to do about this harp, until I found the problem.

I sitting directly under a ceiling fan! I have a guitarist friend who has mentioned that this happens to him, too, but didn’t put two and two together until just the other day. Now I turn the fan off when I play, and all is well.

Who would have thunk it?

[Zen Sojourner]

Glad you found the immediate problem.

[Author]

Posts