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Stoney End Clairseach Harp or Other Wire Strung Harps?

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Home Forums Harps and Accessories Stoney End Clairseach Harp or Other Wire Strung Harps?

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • #75767
    Deborah O.
    Participant

    I am looking to get a wire strung harp in the future and would like some opinions on the Stoney End Clairseach Harp if anybody has one.

    #75768
    Geri McQuillen
    Participant

    Hi!

    The type of wire harp you choose will depend greatly on what type of music you want to play and how historically accurate you want your harp to be.

    #75769
    Karen Johns
    Participant

    I can’t speak for others tastes, but I really like my Limerick harp from Musicmaker’s. I built this from a kit and my husband and I spent many enjoyable hours together putting it together. The new string set I will be installing will allow me to play from C below middle C to high G (26 strings) and are made from wound bronze, phosphor bronze, and steel. You can check out this model on http://www.harpkit.com . I have the walnut version. I play with my fingertips and am very non-traditional. I feel that if it sounds good to me and my listeners, then no worries :-)

    One thing I have heard is that certain types of wire strings can be more brittle or delicate than others, so that may be a consideration for you. I think it may be the brass or bronze wires. Perhaps Audrey or Liam can chime in on this subject. I just know that the wound bronze and steel strings are pretty strong. I haven’t broke one yet and I don’t play lightly.

    Happy Hunting!

    Karen

    #75770
    tony-morosco
    Participant

    When I think of good quality wire strung harps I immediately think of three names.

    David Kortier

    Jay Witcher

    Glenn Hill

    Each one is as much artist as instrument builder. If I were going to buy one my top choice would be to have Jay Witcher build me one just like the one he made for Patrick Ball. I have heard Patrick play live on many occasions and his harp is by far the best sounding wire strung harp I have ever heard.

    #75771

    BTW, Musikmakers and David Kortier are also Minnesota builders so you should be able to get ahold of all of them.

    Jennifer

    #75772
    Deborah O.
    Participant

    Thanks for all your replies.

    #75773
    tony-morosco
    Participant

    Triplett harps used to make a wire strung harp specifically designed to play with the finger-pads. It had wider spacing and lower tension with a different sound board construction than their other wire strung harps.

    Unfortunately they don’t make that model any more, but perhaps you can see if you can find a used one. The company might know of someone who has one they want to sell.

    #75774
    Karen Johns
    Participant

    The Limerick model from Musicmaker’s has standard string

    #75775
    Deborah O.
    Participant

    Karen….thanks for the sound sample link…they are wonderful.

    I will have to get to Musicmakers and test drive the Limerick.

    #75776
    Dennis McKenzie
    Participant

    You should check out Chis Caswells harps he studied under Jay Witcher back in the 70’s and makes wonderfull wire harps.

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