Wait… You’re telling me L&H aren’t the only harp makers in the world?

[lauren-d]

It seems so funny, but I just now realized that there may be lots of other harp makers out there with great quality instruments. I’ve been learning for about 5 months on a Troubadour VI…
Please open my eyes to other harp makers!
I’m not looking for a celtic harp.
I think for looks, my ideal harp would be maple wood (another question- does the type of wood affect the sound?) with perhaps a hand painted or carved design.
But most importantly, which makers make the best sounding harps? Thanks!

[lauren-d]

I would also be really interested to see any amazingly decorated or unique harps, just for the fun of it.

[harp guy]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=lever+harp+makers

[lauren-d]

Right, I’ve google searched it, but I want recommendations from people here who have gotten a chance to play them and hear and see them in person.

[tony-morosco]

In my opinion you can’t go wrong with:

Lyon & Healy

Salvi

Camac

Swanson

Venus

Pilgrim

There are certainly other excellent harp makers out there, and individual harps and models of harps from these makers can all be different. They all have their unique qualities, but I have either played on or heard played harps by all of these makers and they are all impressive in my opinion.

[tony-morosco]

Oh, and to clarify, I recommend these as pedal harp makers.

You said that you were not looking for a Celtic harp, but you didn’t specify if you generally meant lever harps by that, or just lever harps in a Celtic style.

Pedal harps tend to actually be made from the same kind of wood, and the finish is typically a veneer.

Lever harps of different makes tend to come in various woods, and yes, the wood can effect the sound.

For lever harps the names you generally can’t go wrong with are:

Triplett

Dusty Strings

Pilgrim

Kortier

Fisher

Camac

WM Rees

Blevins

Mountain Glenn

Again, these are far from the only great lever harp makers, and both Salvi and Lyon & Healy make what, in my opinion, are good lever harps that are actually an incredible value when you compare price to quality (and I own a Lyon & Healy lever harp myself, along with a Camac), but the one’s above are, in my personal opinion and experience (having played or heard played harps by all these makers) among the best.

[lauren-d]

The mountain glenn harps are so beautiful! Thanks for all the company names it was really helpful.

[Philippa mcauliffe]

It probably will not be your most practical harp as they are made in Tasmania but for unique you

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