Portable Harp

[lillian-hui]

I have played lever harp for 2 years, and I am considering to buy a portable harp. Lately, i have narrowed down my choice into these 2 harps …..

Blevins Avee 34, 34 string, 12 pounds, without adjustable stand
Grand Harpsicle, 33 sting, 10 pounds, with adjustable stand

Both of them can be installed an audio pick up in soundboard and make connection to amplifier.
I’d either buy one of them. Anyone has experience playing any of them ?
could you pass me some advices here, please.

[jimmy-h]

Don’t panic! Hehehe…

I was overthinking the first tuning thing. It was not a problem. I just wanted to make sure there wasn’t some rookie mistake I would be making. The strings were tuned down enough that they were wonky when you plucked them but still made a sound. I ended up just bringing C, F, and A up ‘close’ to tune then brought the others up close and then just go up or down all the strings tuning as you go.

The tracker will only show that it was picked up from the factory, it was still showing the same the day my harp arrived. I think I got the email that it left the factory over a week before I actually got it. They hold it for a lull in the hot weather. You probably wont get it tomorrow, unless perhaps you live close or something.

When you tune it up it will probably hold long enough to play a bit or practice. Mine is trending flat in all but the lower octaves (the wires). I’ve only had time to tune it up once a day due to my work schedule.

Enjoy your harp when it gets there.

[Sonya Wiley]

Ok, thanks; i won’t worry about the tuning; yes, we’re hot again here in NW Florida; i was thinking today that the weather might be a factor; i’ll just be patient and be quite surprised when they call!

[tracey-kjonegaard]

I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!! Post pictures asap!!!

[Janice]

Sonya- I’m so excited for you! I just got my new L&H pedal harp this past July and I was also very nervous about tuning it. I did make a rookie mistake so I’ll share with you. I forgot to check that all the strings were properly positioned over the bridge pins. One of my bass wires had come off and when I was tuning I managed to break the string. I didn’t have a spare available either. Also, I got so anxious to get it tuned that at first I started tuning flat but forgot to make sure all the pedals were up. I had moved some of them when I was checking everything out and forgot to set them back to flat. It’s a wonder I didn’t break a few more strings. After my first tuning I didn’t have too much trouble keeping it in tune. I also only tuned once a day and it settled in pretty quickly.

[Sonya Wiley]

Thanks Sarah for the info! i’ll be sure to check the bridge pins; I need to invest in some octaves right away just in case; Atlanta Harp Center is having a sale right now.

[jimmy-h]

My harp has already popped 3 strings. 2nd B and 3rd D and E. I would at least get 1st through 3rd octaves. On the plus side, the strings you get through 3rd octave are long enough for two replacements. All the strings popped up near the tuning pin. I think they are not stretching evenly along their length. I am tuning with pedals flat, and leave pedals flat when not playing.

A full set of strings will set you back over $400, closer or over $500. Skip the wires, you wont likely need then anytime soon and they are not cheap. I got the full set though.

[Sonya Wiley]

Thanks Jimmy for all your info; keep me posted . I will try to bring it up slowly and start buying some octaves.

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