Was fun listening to this review and learning of this build. I read that Hayden Harps will be putting out a larger 30-string model and also a double-strung model in the future. I'm particularly excited for whatever the double-strung model might be, since it seems a carbon fibre/superlight double fills a devoid niche in the harp world at the moment.
Didn't know about the 30 string instrument but was aware that Mike has made a couple of double strung instruments. Don't know if he is selling them commercially yet but it might be worth checking in with him to find out.
No problems, I can add that they are pretty tough too as I dropped mine on to some nasty rippled concrete on a gig last saturday. I will need to touch up some of the paintwork, but no real damage to the instrument itself and I only had to retune one string after the incident.
Excellent review, thank you! I am not planning to get this harp, but I am currently working on a design for a harp-lyre hybrid which I'll discuss with the luthier who's just made me a 12 string sycamore lyre strung in wound bronze (it arrives in an hour, hooray!), so this is all really useful. The design I have in mind is a cross between this sort of travel harp and a modern lyre, pretty much.
It did! I am still working out comfortable ways to hold it that don't block the sound too much. Today it had an outing to the local music shop, where none of the cases for other instruments, and then an impromptu trip to a park, where we both strummed at it vaguely and passers-by were mostly oblivious as it's pretty quiet. You can't do that with my floor harp!
yeah You have a piano :)))) i have also Piano Legnica, and always what i like to hear hear and hear again, i them play on my piano.. but now i am outside of my country, nederland give me lucky ticket and i stay here :)
Harps are difficult to make, although I don't know about carbon fibre which is a completely different thing. No particular country makes the best harps although Pakistan is generally recognised as more often than not home workshop set ups. Even for the big orchestral jobs there is usually no factory process.
There are good and bad harpmakers all over the world. If you have a good luthier in your country, or even better, several, then you are likely to save a lot as you won't have to pay import costs. Dusty Strings harps are popular in the US where they're made, for instance, but they become a lot more expensive when they're brought to the UK, so people are more likely to go for a UK luthier. I'm in Scotland and my harp is being made in Scotland by Mark Norris. Which country are you in? That said, that works for standard 34 string lever harps. There are fewer luthiers making wire strung harps, and it's harder to find a good lap harp, so you may need to import if you are after either of those.
The best harps in the world are Paraguayan, because they are light and equalize the stress because of a centerpull head. They also use regular guitar tuning machines which obviate the problem from dropping the tuning hammer on the soundboard. That being said, a harp is just a wooden box and a column and a head. I made a lapharp once out of a trapezoidal box and a bit of oak for zither pins and a banister turning from an old stairway. With a bit of good joinery in the corners you can make a reasonable lapharp. I strung it with phosphor bronze wire, but hard nylon works too.
I'm sure you won't be disappointed, although I think he has a few on his list at the moment and you may have to wait a while. One thing I forgot to mention in the review was the great service you get from Mike. Wonderful person to deal with. Lets face it, you don't have to like the person making your harp, but it helps. It's exciting getting new instruments isn't it?
First off, thanks for the review. But the 'cut and paste' in the video drove me insane- sort of like watching Moulin Rouge, but as a harp review! Of course, your dialect is very different from Standard American English, but I think I got most of it. I will definitely look up this harp maker, as I found out he now makes double strungs. G'day.
Was fun listening to this review and learning of this build. I read that Hayden Harps will be putting out a larger 30-string model and also a double-strung model in the future. I'm particularly excited for whatever the double-strung model might be, since it seems a carbon fibre/superlight double fills a devoid niche in the harp world at the moment.
Didn't know about the 30 string instrument but was aware that Mike has made a couple of double strung instruments. Don't know if he is selling them commercially yet but it might be worth checking in with him to find out.
They had these at Somerst this year, but I wondered if it was hard to play in such a small open space. Thanks for your review!
No problems, I can add that they are pretty tough too as I dropped mine on to some nasty rippled concrete on a gig last saturday. I will need to touch up some of the paintwork, but no real damage to the instrument itself and I only had to retune one string after the incident.
Excellent review, thank you! I am not planning to get this harp, but I am currently working on a design for a harp-lyre hybrid which I'll discuss with the luthier who's just made me a 12 string sycamore lyre strung in wound bronze (it arrives in an hour, hooray!), so this is all really useful. The design I have in mind is a cross between this sort of travel harp and a modern lyre, pretty much.
Hope your instrument turned up on time and sounding good.
It did! I am still working out comfortable ways to hold it that don't block the sound too much. Today it had an outing to the local music shop, where none of the cases for other instruments, and then an impromptu trip to a park, where we both strummed at it vaguely and passers-by were mostly oblivious as it's pretty quiet. You can't do that with my floor harp!
Decent sound quality Adam. Interesting video. I know a little more about a subject I knew nothing about! :-)) regards, Phil
Yes its nice, I would generally recommend a wood instrument over a carbon fibre one for tone but in other respects it has so many advantages.
Fantastica condivisione complimenti Adam ❤
Thanks for watching.
yeah You have a piano :)))) i have also Piano Legnica, and always what i like to hear hear and hear again, i them play on my piano.. but now i am outside of my country, nederland give me lucky ticket and i stay here :)
I may play some piano for you some day then.
What country makes the best harps ? Canada ? Are they easy to make ?
Harps are difficult to make, although I don't know about carbon fibre which is a completely different thing. No particular country makes the best harps although Pakistan is generally recognised as more often than not home workshop set ups. Even for the big orchestral jobs there is usually no factory process.
There are good and bad harpmakers all over the world. If you have a good luthier in your country, or even better, several, then you are likely to save a lot as you won't have to pay import costs. Dusty Strings harps are popular in the US where they're made, for instance, but they become a lot more expensive when they're brought to the UK, so people are more likely to go for a UK luthier. I'm in Scotland and my harp is being made in Scotland by Mark Norris. Which country are you in?
That said, that works for standard 34 string lever harps. There are fewer luthiers making wire strung harps, and it's harder to find a good lap harp, so you may need to import if you are after either of those.
Cam't see Ed importing any harps in a hurry. I had a nice little wire harp made in Skye by William MacDonald.
Well, he did ask which country made the best harps.
I hear those are excellent wire harps, yep.
The best harps in the world are Paraguayan, because they are light and equalize the stress because of a centerpull head. They also use regular guitar tuning machines which obviate the problem from dropping the tuning hammer on the soundboard. That being said, a harp is just a wooden box and a column and a head. I made a lapharp once out of a trapezoidal box and a bit of oak for zither pins and a banister turning from an old stairway. With a bit of good joinery in the corners you can make a reasonable lapharp. I strung it with phosphor bronze wire, but hard nylon works too.
I am waiting for Mike to make mine :D
I'm sure you won't be disappointed, although I think he has a few on his list at the moment and you may have to wait a while. One thing I forgot to mention in the review was the great service you get from Mike. Wonderful person to deal with. Lets face it, you don't have to like the person making your harp, but it helps. It's exciting getting new instruments isn't it?
Hi. Good to see you. I started another page. So, 👋.
First off, thanks for the review. But the 'cut and paste' in the video drove me insane- sort of like watching Moulin Rouge, but as a harp review! Of course, your dialect is very different from Standard American English, but I think I got most of it. I will definitely look up this harp maker, as I found out he now makes double strungs. G'day.