What type of harp should I buy??? (Down to three choices)

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This topic has 15 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 20 years, 6 months ago by unknown-user.

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August 11, 2004 at 4:00 am #68826

unknown-user
Participant

Be very cautious with an instrument made of cocobolo. It is a wood that can cause an alergic reaction much like poison ivy. It is in a class called sensitizers and with repeated contact you can break out in an itchy rash.

Curt

August 11, 2004 at 4:00 am #68827

unknown-user
Participant

Ok, that brings up another topic; What type of woods are recommended???

For soundboard, I am sticking to Cedar or Sruce (Enleman or European, not Sitka).

If anyone has comments or experiance with the following woods, please post your opinion.

August 11, 2004 at 4:00 am #68825

unknown-user
Participant

Hello Everyone!!!!

August 12, 2004 at 4:00 am #68828

Zen Sojourner
Participant

I don’t know anything about Timothy Harps, you’re best bet is to try to find someone who has owned or at least heard one.

August 12, 2004 at 4:00 am #68829

Jeralee
Participant

I really like the sound of the Thormahlen harps.

August 13, 2004 at 4:00 am #68830

unknown-user
Participant

Pavel,

I don’t have any experience with cocobolo. I don’t work in any of the toxic woods (bad for my lungs). It is a very dense and heavy wood that is gorgeous in it’s grain and color so it should give a harp that has a darker and mellower sound. Some other soundboard woods to consider are; redwood, poplar, basswood and mahogany. While they are non-traditional woods they all give good response and each has it’s own set of plusses and minuses. I hope this didn’t further complicate your choice. Much of the info on soundboards is from my readings. The only ones that I have personal experience with are Sitka spruce, western cedar and poplar. The others I have never used in a harp.

August 15, 2004 at 4:00 am #68831

unknown-user
Participant

I recently ordered a Llyr harp for my daughter (expect delivery end of Oct) after trying one out at the Somerset Festival in July.

August 16, 2004 at 4:00 am #68832

unknown-user
Participant

Speaking of Harp festivals, where on earth can I find one!!!

August 16, 2004 at 4:00 am #68833

unknown-user
Participant

Pavel

Here’s a link with a listing of harp events.

http://www.celticharper.com/events1.html

On why we picked the Timothy?

August 19, 2004 at 4:00 am #68834

unknown-user
Participant

Hello Everyone:

August 19, 2004 at 4:00 am #68835

Zen Sojourner
Participant

You can go to the Camac website and read about their levers in “The Harpists Guide”.

August 19, 2004 at 4:00 am #68836

Zen Sojourner
Participant

I just realized, Timothy harps is in Canada.

August 25, 2004 at 4:00 am #68837

unknown-user
Participant

Many thanks for the many responses. I looked over the picture of the camac levers (Thank you Zen Sojourner) and I like them.

August 26, 2004 at 4:00 am #68838

Zen Sojourner
Participant

Pavel, since you live in Central America, the shipping issue is probably moot.

August 27, 2004 at 4:00 am #68839

unknown-user
Participant

Pavel, I’ll be glad to send you a sound bite when our harp arrives
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