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Thanks for your input! I do think the Prelude is a beautiful looking instrument. I played my teacher’s many years ago and liked it, although my favorite of her harps was her Salvi McFall. I have seen some good deals on them, but by the time one figures in shipping it becomes more of a cost thing, plus one needs to be so careful in shipping that the shipper knows how to do it properly. I’d hate to have anything happen to a harp in transit! That said, I will keep looking a while longer. Your comments are very helpful. Thanks!
Sally
Yes – the harp I have was purchased from a young lady who decided to focus her energy on Irish dancing instead of playing the harp. My gain! It had lived an obviously busy life before I encountered it, to put it mildly. Missing a string here, a lever there, but oh, so beautiful in its Celtic glory, with the Book of Kells ornamentation. It’s green. I didn’t know that when I said I’d buy it – I figured it would be mahogany or something like that. But I just loved it at first sight and would never part with it. That said, yep, it is getting “old” at 40, and although it still sounds great, I am hating taking it out in the cold – which we have a lot of where I live! Anyway, where I live a larger, “classic” style lever harp would have a bigger market than my Celtic harp.
I agree – the Hermes harp is very elegant looking. Looks a lot like their famous “Daphne”, actually. “Understated”! I like the look. But I also love the appearance of the elaborate, classic style such as the Preludes and Anas. I think, in the end, I will need to get a pre-owned harp if I can get one at all.
Thanks for your insights and encouragement! Have a wonderful new year!
SallyGood to know! I don’t remember that problem on the McFall, but have never tried the Ana or Hermes. My old Folk Harp has very old levers but they make no noise. My harp is about 40 years old, so I can’t really relate it to anything I could get now! My serial number is GS1.
Sally M.Yes, I think there is no substitute for trying them out in person! Thanks! That said, if anyone out there has experience with this harp I’d love to hear.
Sally
I have thought the Boulevard was very attractive in ads but have not had the opportunity to hear it. Your information and insights are invaluable – thanks!
Presumably, then, the older Folk Harp of Lyon & Healy which was replaced by the Ogden, would probably have had pedal quality bass wires too. Would you include the Hermes with the former category or the latter? I am used to the Folk Harp tension and gauge, have always strung it with pedal harp strings, as per specs, but mainly I am looking for a larger size to add (not replace) to my harps. The reason is because many venues and occasions seem to call for a larger harp. With 40 strings, the range is there, and it is a nice looking harp as well. I am wondering if it would be quite different to play, and how the sound would be in larger venues. I still love to play the Folk Harp, but it is best suited to smaller rooms or specialized events such as the Celtic festivals, etc. I would think of using a different one for something like a formal occasion, say, a wedding. I had been thinking of a Prelude or Ana or even a Salvi McFall, but perhaps the Hermes would also work for me and be slightly easier to handle.
I am somewhat surprised that the Mademoiselle has folk style bass wires because in samples I have heard online it seems more robust than that. Thanks for the information!
Thank you for the overview. I do like the similar tension to the pedal harp (one reason I enjoy the Folk Harp). I am looking for a more “classic” style of lever harp. I’m basically familiar with the Prelude, the McFall and the Ana, but not with the others. It is difficult to gauge the sounds from samples on my laptop, so any opinions and/or information about these kinds of harps would be welcome!
