Suggestions on 34-36 harps with high-quality levers?

[lisa-davis]

I am looking for a 2nd harp.

I currently play a ~15 year old Salvi Heather 34. I am reasonably happy with the size, sound, and look, but not the levers. Many of them change the string sound significantly when engaged (I believe they don’t even make these levers anymore).

It’s to the point where I will plan all of my pieces for an event to be in the same key (usually G) and will tune my strings for that key rather than using the levers — sometimes transposing whole pieces beforehand, and re-writing to avoid lever changes.

I want to upgrade to something in the 34-36 string range that will have top-quality levers. I am a pianist & flutist, harping is a hobby, so I would like to stay below $5000.

Any testimonials anyone would like to offer on levers that do or don’t perform as you would like? Camac? Loveland? custom makers of good quality? I’m open for harps of all makes and models…. would love to know what others play and love.

[brook-boddie]

I’d recommend a Thormahlen Serenade.

[unknown-user]

I have a pedal harp so I don’t think I can help much, but Dusty Strings, Lyon and Healy, Salvi, Camac, are some very dependable brands. I am absolutely in love with the sound of Dusty’s, although I don’t own one. Dusty’s would be at the top of your price range, but most good harps of this size are. I love all their models though!

As far as levers I’ve never had the chance to try Camac levers but they look like they are simply amazing, but without experience I can’t say that they actually are as smooth as the look. Loveland levers are very nice and are definitely a wonderful thrill after the retro dinosaur levers (I played an original Troubadour from Lyon and Healy that had the most ancient levers I’d ever seen, they were terrible!) .

Really search around on harp websites and narrow down your favorites. I love the sound of Dusty’s but they are very “bright”, and many people many not like that sound. Most harps you can find sound samples of or look on youtube.com and search up different models. A lot of times you can hear the harp play a whole song and get an “ear” for it. I hope this helps, God bless!

— Natalie

[wil-weten]

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• This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by wil-weten.

[lisa-davis]

It’ s Definately a Salvi Heather with metal levers. I was planning on looking into getting the levers adjusted, but hadn’t thought of trying different strings (I’m a bit afraid of the wrong strings hurting my harp). It is worse in the bass stings, but some of the higher strings are pretty twangy/thunky also.

[lisa-davis]

Thanks Brook and Natalie for positive feedback on a few different brands — especially Camac and Dusty Strings. My nearest harp shop (200 miles) sells Dusty Strings, but usually only stocks them with Loveland levers. I’m leaning towards special ordering a Dusty Crescendo 34 with Camac levers. I like to tune my harp in E, and I think this may be my best option for my price range. Anyone want to agree or disagree?

[catherine-rogers]

I have a Troubadour III which originally had levers made of some composite metal which tended to break. There are no matching replacements available, and they weren’t good levers to begin with. I paid my wonderful harp tech to replace them with Loveland levers (the new Camac levers hadn’t been invented then and the Loveland levers were less expensive than Lyon & Healy performance levers). The harp has a good sound and was worth the investment for parts and labor. When you change lever type, the new lever position is often different, and of course the harp will need a regulation. But if you love the harp, changing the levers is less expensive than buying another harp.

[Tacye]

The Heather came strung in gut, and string material makes a significant difference to the sound and feel of a harp but is something you don’t mention.

[lisa-davis]

I’m okay with either gut or nylon, but currently have gut. My biggest thing is wanting a very consistent sound from string to string (whether levers are up or not). Maybe this comes from my main instrument being flute, or working years as a choral director? In both cases nealry every aspect of tone can be instantly adjusted by the performer for a consistent spound…. I just want my harp to blend with itself. .

I had not thought of putting new levers on an old harp. I will Definatley look into what that might cost me.

Is there anyone out there with thoughts aboud Loveland or Truitt vs. Camac?

On the other hand, I am ready for harp #2. I want to keep one at home, and one at work. (my Heather fits in my car, but it’s an ordeal I’d prefer to go through less often — especially in Summer with endless temps over 100 — I’ve driven the car around to get the AC going before driving back to quickly load my harp.). And getting a 2nd harp IS cheaper than getting a bigger car.

[Jerusha Amado]

Hi Lisa,

The Dusty brand is extremely consistent in sound all up and down the range, superior to the other brands I’ve tried/owned such as Lyon Healy, Salvi, Thormahlen.

[Debbie Stackrow]

I have Loveland levers on a floor harp and Truitt levers on a lap harp. I find it much easier to grab onto the Truit levers as well as the ease of moving it compared to the Loveland.

[tony-morosco]

If levers are the

[jan-fetty]

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