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Wow, Gregg, thanks so much for taking the time to “rank” the harps for me. That is really helpful, because I’m thinking of going to my local used instrument store this weekend and playing whatever harps they have. Knowing that Sharpsicles are LOW will provide some point of reference.
I live in the Metro DC area.
I tried the Marion out, beautiful harp. Lovely warm sound. Stoney End really knows how to warm up their harps. But it just felt tight.
This store has a used Crescendo, new Ravenna, used Pilgrim Clarsach in nylon, and new Sharpsicle. They also have used Troubadours III/IV, but I know that’s pedal harp tension. The Crescendo was exposed to damp conditions in the past, and although Rick Kemper fixed it up and it’s supposedly in good condition, I’m suspicious of the low price. They even have a Steen, but it’s only partially levered
The higher-level Rees’s remain elusive. There may be some festival in NC in the fall, trying to find out if there is, and if they will be there as they have been in the past.
Thanks for all of your help!
Ha, funny you should mention zither pins. My harp has those, so I would have to get used to tuning on the “normal” side. The strings are also wound in the reverse direction!
So you can request the jeweling on both sides? That would be great. My loveland levers are all black, and I’ve had to resort to rubber things to help me see the levers.
After all you’ve said, would you have any comments on which of these harps has the lightest tension? I’m going to a local place that has just regular Harpsicles, and I plan to ask Rees how your recommended models compare to them in terms of tension, but always good to have another opinion. I think their idea of medium and low may be different than mine!
I wonder if it’s a crazy idea to see if anyone lives locally who has these models so I can try before buying. Such a big investment, buying without playing makes me nervous.
Thanks again!
Thanks, Gregg.
That brings up more questions!
The Rees harps have their own proprietary levers, don’t they? If so, what do you think of them, and are they willing to put Camac levers on them, and at what cost? I just messaged them about the Mariposa and the Meadows harps, but I just re-read your message and had no idea they have a 34-string Harpsicle.
What are your thoughts on that one? I’ve decided I definitely don’t want to try to get used to high tension…Getting old…
Thanks!
TaraHi Gregg!
Thank you so much for the suggestions. I feel hopeful. I was starting to feel like a lightweight (haha) and since my hands are not in the greatest shape, was worried about trying to get used to a higher-tension harp. I will definitely take a look at these harps. Thank you for the details on the A-A vs C-C stringing as well. Very helpful!
— Tara
Thank you both for your replies. Charles, thank you for all of the good details. Since posting, I read on some website, maybe Rees…that you might actually want to try to muffle the string while changing the lever with Lovelands to minimize this noise so I’m guessing that it might be worse on Loveland. I had to completely aavoid a lever change on a low note once because it was so awful-sounding and I didn’t have time to sit on the string while changing the lever. The ghost of the unwanted B-flat while trying to change to a B natural ruined everything.
I’ve read up on the pros and cons of various levers and have never seen this particular issue mentioned so I guess I won’t expect miracles by changing the type of lever.
Thank you very much for the feedback. I’ll take the plunge!
Her arrangements are definitely excellent.
Looking forward to trying this out.
The bottom of the cover has a flap that is loose. Kinda stupid. I use safety pins to pin it to the rest of the cover so the harp can’t fall out.
Thanks for the advice. Glad to know a case isn’t needed.
Thank you for all of the replies. I play the piano also so it never occurred to me that block chords are not all that common on the harp. I’m playing the Deborah Friou version of Danny Boy and there seem to be a lot of them. I don’t like to roll them all because it’s overkill. But now I feel a lot better knowing that it’s probably not all me.
I don’t have trouble making the notes all sound at once; I concentrate on making sure the upper voice is heard in the right hand since it’s usually the melody.
I’m teaching myself, I’m older and this is my third instrument. I might do an online lesson at some point.
Thank you for the tips on websites and tutorials. I’m always looking for lots of those! I’m so grateful to people for putting these sites out there.
Thanks to everyone for all of the responses. So helpful!
The manufacturer is going to send me a full spare set, as it appears that this harp was not service before it was sold to me (I really did get a good deal!), and who knows when the next string will break. But I’m really glad to know about these independent suppliers. I worry about having only one source of strings.
Thank you very much for the instructional video. I’m nervous about doing my first string change!
