Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
No experience or advice I’m afraid but just thought I would share this!
Although like Marco I am really spoiled by my Camac Big Blue (which is utterly fantastic and since I’ve only had it since Septemeber it’s still an exciting new toy!) I amplify my LH 23 for weddings. I didn’t want to get anything too flashy or expensive and just wanted basic amplification. It was important that my harp still sounded like my harp. I read DHC’s Gurls Guide to Amplification which is a great place to start. I got the Fishman SBT-HP and picked up a Roland AC 33 amp from ebay. It’s small, battery operated an designed for acoustic instruments but it sounds great. Although the Fishman pickup doesn’t need a preamp, and I used it happily without, I’ve just bought the new Fishman platinum stage preamp to go with it. It is brilliant. It really boosts the sound and gives lots more controllability, especially when mucking about with a loop pedal!
I don’t know if they would work with a Dusty pick up, or if they are available in the US, but I use command picture hanging strips to attach the Jack end of my pickup (Fishman) to the underside of the harp. They are like Velcro but sticky in one side. They can be stuck on and remain rock solid, but are removed easily with no damage or residue. The strips are permanently on my harp but I can Velcro the pickup on or off whenever I need it.
Thanks. Yes Sylvia I have OT and Physio. The fingers now move fine. I can bend, grip, everything…..except play!! In day to day life you wouldn’t know anything was wrong. I’m hyper- mobile so they look normal now! The problem is that I was holding a plastic dog lead when I fell. I gripped it but my dog jumped forward to get out from under the large object heading his way! Essentially the middle finger bone was pulled forward and all the tendons, ligaments and cartilage were damaged. (It also pulled the now shattered bone apart and send the pieces pinging to places they didn’t ought to be – love my doggy!) The fingers are now incredibly painful when you apply pressure and do something silly like trying to play the harp! They are getting there. My 3rd finger is almost useable.
It sounds like external fixation would have been preferable. Mine is all inside and my X-Rays look like wolverine. It great to know that you have made such a great recovery though. I tried LH harmonics yesterday and I see what you mean – maybe I’ll try that again later!Hi,
I’m not able to answer all of your questions although I am sure you will be able to get loads of info here. I just wonderered if you have read about Claire Jones and her battle with ME? You might find this interesting
http://www.clairejones.co.uk/me/4588317882Harp-wise I am sure you will find something that works for you. Morley will be very helpful and knowledgeable. The Devon harp centre is very small and may not be able to offer you such an extensive range or advice? I don’t know if you have had a look at the Derwent harps Adventurer 20? I broke my wrist just after Christmas and needed something to take along to my occupational therapy appointments (I’m a professional pedal harpist). I picked up an adventurer for just £150 delivered to my house and it is a fantastic little harp. Well made and a really good sound for he money. I was so surprised by it! Cheep and cheerful personified. I know it has fewer strings than you would like but worth a thought. Your visit to Edinborough will no doubt be very, very helpful. I would suggest you try everything in your price range and compare them to get an idea of what suits and will work for you. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Hi Balfour,
Thanks for asking. It’s a long, slow road. I still can’t really play. I am getting the mobility back slowly but it’s never going to be what it was. It’s not bad but just not the same. Still pretty painful too. I just found out from my surgeon that there is a screw sticking through the back of the bone. If that starts to hurt at all I have to call him immediately and he will remove everything, that would be going back to square one so not appealing! I go to group occupational therapy classes and compared to some of the others there I am doing pretty well. I bought a lap harp to take with me which is great. Actually, the wrist itself wouldn’t be too problematic for playing, the main problem I have is that I severely damaged my 3rd and 4th fingers in the fall. They are what is stopping me from playing. I can’t straighten my 3rd and both are VERY painful. Apparently they could take up to 18 months to recover but may never be pain free. I will have to learn to live with it I guess.
I am really lucky that I have a big blue electric harp and a loop pedal so I still have loads of fun creating backing tracks using my RH and playing along! I am putting in some LH too now as I have a thumb and 2nd finger! I haven’t stopped playing at all which is great. I only got the Camac last Sept. So I’m learning how to use it and enjoying doing something new…..I just can’t earn any money!!
XI once had to remain tight lipped while playing at a wedding where I overheard a dad on a nearby table attempt to answer his son’s harp-related questions. The child was obviously really interested but the Dad had nooooo idea. The pedals, apparently “turn up the volume” and “it all folds up so she can take it home”. Oh, and it’s EXACTLY the same as a piano without its box.
Here in the UK, the V70 is still available. The V range are different models from the XC range – which essentially are all 4WD versions. If the V70 is no longer available where you are then it might be worth checking on availability and cost of spares etc if you are looking at second hand. Volvos are very reliable but when repairs are needed they aren’t cheap!
I have the XC70 which is the size of the V70 but much higher. It is normally 4WD but I have the Eco friendly non 4WD version! As I always load by myself I find it much easier with a high and wide rear opening. The way the seats fold is fantastic and the space for harp plus extras is brilliant. It’s easily the best car I have ever had. I love it.
There’s info on these harps in this article.
I think there’s a black one too somewhere. I seem to remember seeing a picture of Remy Van Kesteren with one? Just going from pics online I would guess it’s a matt paint finish rather than a stain. I have to admit, I’m afraid I’m not a fan of the red one but each to their own!
Wow, this thread has really developed into something fascinating. Paul, yes the link works perfectly. Thank you for posting it. It’s Really interesting. It looks like the Wurlitzer version goes much further than Horngacher’s. Marco I really hope you get your plan up and running. If anyone could demonstrate its capabilities to the rest of the harp world it would be Remy. I’ve always hand damped as it suits what I play. I am currently one handed though (broken wrist) so I’m experimenting with my electro acoustic harp, effects and a looper pedal just with my right hand. I could really do with a damping (or muffling!!) system on the harp right now.
That’s interesting too Paul, not what it says on the Horngacher website!!
http://www.horngacher-harps.de/english/seiten/developments.htmInteresting. It seems there is so much diversity in the harp world! Of course Nicanor Zabaleta helped develop a dampening system for the wires with Horngacher harps. It is still available on their harps and is operated with an 8th pedal. I guess it could be extended to the whole harp?
