Straight back versus curved back

[Vicki Greenslade]

Hi, I am looking for recommendations/advice/suggestions. I have recently had health issues which has resulted in two vertebral breaks to the spine. These breaks have resulted in a loss of height (5’4” to 5’2”), a limited ability to transport the harp, and decreased stamina and staying power to sit at the harp for extended periods of time.
Despite this, I am NOT yet willing to give up the enjoyment I get from playing and performing.
So….. I am going to invest in a lighter weighted carbon fibre harp. My question is: should I go with the straight back design or the curved back design? I am a large woman (20-22 dress size) with large breasts and belly). Unfortunately, I am not in a vicinity where I could try on the Harps for size and fit. Recommendations anyone????
Thank you.

[David Kitamura]

I presume you’re looking into Heartland Harps’ Delight and Legend models, which have the curved and straight soundboard design, respectively.

It may be worth contacting Heartland Harps to see if they can network you to nearby owners of these harps for you to try. Maybe even give Pamela an email about her opinion between the two models. Not having played the Delight or its progenitor the Dragonheart I can’t give an objective opinion past what the site says about the benefits of the curved soundboard design. The Legend is slightly smaller and was made to address demand to longtime players who are used to a straight soundboard design, I heard.

The cost difference between the two models is negligible, though it is worth noting that the Delight goes down to a low A if you have any repertoire utilizing the 2 additional bass strings.

[Vicki Greenslade]

Thank you David. Yes, I am working with Keri and Christian at Heartland Harps on this but I am very far away from any easy access to one of these Harps to try them on for size. Trying to figure it out in words and imagination rather than the real thing. Not an easy task. Many thanks for helping with your response.
Vicki

[naisha]

I don’t know how feasible it would be, but even if you would have to pay for extra shipping costs, maybe you could rent the two of them at the same time, have both at home for some days and try them. After that, you could ship the one that is not your option back and keep the best for you, paying for the rest. Again, I don’t know if it can be done. I give you this idea because my boyfriend wanted to buy a guitar and ended up buying 3 guitars and returning two, keeping the one he liked the most. He had to pay for extra shipping costs but in the end it was worth it. Harps are way bigger, though, so I have no idea how much that could increase the price.

[harpingdude]

Heartland harps came easily to mind. I think that the best option for you would be the curved harps as I’m a man and I don’t have breasts I didn’t know what to do with the extra room I have experienced with a curved harp so I have stayed with the straight back.
But Heartland Harps are the best option for lightweight built harps.
Music Maker harps in Stillwater MN +1800-432-5487 does have a carbon fiber filling option that makes them much lighter and you get to the beauty of the wood, but do they don’t do curved harps.

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

I have a straight-backed Troubadour and a round-back Ogden, and the round back is much preferable, though the Troubadour has a great sound.

[Biagio]

I agree Saul, that a round back sounds better (usually) and a square shape a la Rees acoustically best of all; although that is not adequate for a harp larger than five octaves. Too many “engineering” issues if it gets any larger.

. I think that the question refers to the curved profile shape that Dave Woodworth designs but what the heck.

There is merit in that method in that the neck can be straighter – best of all IMO the built-in SB curve that Caswell used to do before his regrettable demise. I’m not convinced that the Woodworth curve otherwise is any easier to play, but to each his or her own LOL.

Biagio

[balfour-knight]

Have you checked out the Camac harps? They are usually lighter in general, and much more comfortable on the shoulder. They also are using carbon fiber in all their harps, but unlike Heartland, they still have nice solid spruce soundboards.

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