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Frankly, I’m leery of purchasing a lever harp with pedal tension. Ideally, I’d get a nice lever harp that’s very good for Celtic and folk music and acceptable for simple more classical pieces. And perhaps in the future invest in a pedal harp that I could get serious about classical music with.
Thank you so much for all those points to consider. I live in Nebraska and have one nearby harp store that has one L&H Prelude, which is out of my budget range (and I’m not a fan of the levers from what I’ve read). So unfortunately trying is just not an option.
I think you are right about the Ravenna – it seems well-loved and regarded by many, which is probably the best I can hope for buying something unheard or played.
I am tempted by the Oladion as well. One thing I do wonder is how much those extra strings matter. I am still very much a beginner so I feel I can’t judge what I will or won’t need in the future. I like classical as well as folk and traditional music, but when playing on the mikel 38 I have yet to use the top or bottom two strings – in fact, I haven’t used anything below the low G. On the other hand, it didn’t take me long to grow beyond the 26 strings on my harpsicle, and I fear that will happen to me again if I invest in a 34 string harp. What do you think? I have considered investing in a petite pedal harp in the future, but that would be at least 5 years from now.
Yes, I have very much learned my lesson with cheap harps. I come from a music background, and was misled by prior experience. I’ve never had a problem with cheaper foreign guitars or many other instruments. But harps have proven to be a different story.
I think the strings are just subpar, as the new strings I’ve gotten from Robinson’s feel a bit different. The bridge pins do seem to have quite the angle from the tuning/string holding pegs, but it isn’t any sharper then on my harpsicle.
Currently, I’m planning on selling the Mikel at a reduced price (I hate to rip off someone else to make up for my mistake) and using it for a down payment on a Ravenna 34.
The second man I spoke with was either the boss or a higher up, I’m unsure. He was the one that recalculated his prices so that I owed *him* $60. It dif not encourage me to try to go higher up the chain.
On my invoice, it specifically stated *VAT free home delivery, customs clearance paid*. So yes, I was upset that not only was it not delivered to my home, I paid the customs fees.
Yes, the harp registers at 44 lbs, which is approximately 14 lbs over the 30 lb stated weight.
At this point, I think the best solution possible has been reached. I just want to warn others so no one else has to deal with Mikel Harps.
Thank you so much for the assistance! Emma, I’m not able to see the link to the book you mentioned, what is it called? Thank you!
I actually am playing lever harp and do not have a teacher – I studied music in college but have only been playing harp a year or so, watching many YouTube tutorials. I love the suggestion of recording myself!
I have Sylvia Wood’s book, I’ll be playing her arrangement of the bridal march. I’ll check out Wedding Music for the Lever Harp, thank you!
Thank you for getting my thinking started! It’s protestant, in a church, quite traditional. She did ask for traditional songs to be played during the bridesmaid walk/her mother’s walk/and then her entrance. I’ll talk to her about prelude music – of course it should have occurred to me that just one song wouldn’t do. Thank you again!
Thank you Biagio! I assumed with the similarities in price, they were mostly on par quality wise. I like the look of the Ravenna much more though.
https://www.fishman.com/products/series/sbt/sbt-hp-soundboard-transducer-for-harp-piano/
I have purchased this pickup for using on my new mikel 38, which has yet to arrive. It’s only 99$ and the reviews are good. I’ll let you know more when I can get it set up 🙂
I bet! I have a flatsicle (currently my only harp) and I do love the portability, but I would really like a bigger range as well. I may have to get one before next summer and park season!
