Buy a cheap harp- worth it?
November 6, 2020 9:53 AM Subscribe
I would love advice on whether it's worth getting a harp in the 80-200 dollar range and advice about it if so. Is there anything like a lyre for celtic or medieval harp?
I am thinking about putting a harp as a gift from family that are planning to get me a gift. I would have to find all the details about it and the best deal, but I don't know the first thing about harps, other than that I like medieval and celtic harp music and find it beautiful.
Are there any small size harps that will sound pretty? I do think the lyre sounds very pretty, but it's not exactly what I wanted to play. I like medieval or celtic.
I don't mind if it looks scratched up and old as long as it still plays nicely. The other issue is size in terms of family ordering it, as mail/online ordering would be the better option. I have kid instruments already and I'm really looking for something that sounds nice, not looking for like a toy harp that has the music under it as I've already played those and would like a step up in sound. Is there anything like this or what websites or places might I look? Our local music store doesn't even seem to sell harps at all. What kind of stores sell them? I'm leery of using ebay or etsy since I have no idea which of these will be quality or worth it, but there are many in the 100-150 range listed there. Would something like that sound any good? Something like this?
Any advice requested, thanks everyone! Ya'll have been so helpful in helping my family get more musical!
I am thinking about putting a harp as a gift from family that are planning to get me a gift. I would have to find all the details about it and the best deal, but I don't know the first thing about harps, other than that I like medieval and celtic harp music and find it beautiful.
Are there any small size harps that will sound pretty? I do think the lyre sounds very pretty, but it's not exactly what I wanted to play. I like medieval or celtic.
I don't mind if it looks scratched up and old as long as it still plays nicely. The other issue is size in terms of family ordering it, as mail/online ordering would be the better option. I have kid instruments already and I'm really looking for something that sounds nice, not looking for like a toy harp that has the music under it as I've already played those and would like a step up in sound. Is there anything like this or what websites or places might I look? Our local music store doesn't even seem to sell harps at all. What kind of stores sell them? I'm leery of using ebay or etsy since I have no idea which of these will be quality or worth it, but there are many in the 100-150 range listed there. Would something like that sound any good? Something like this?
Any advice requested, thanks everyone! Ya'll have been so helpful in helping my family get more musical!
Check Reverb.com, it's one of the best places to buy new and used instruments online right now. I don't know much about harps but a casual skim yielded this nice-looking Baby Celtic Harp for $169.
My instinct is you'll want to be right up close to $200 for a new one, but maybe do ok lower for used (eg that linked harp would probably sell under $100 used).
And as a novice I am pretty confident you will find the harp you linked to sound nice and be fun to play, unless eg you can already easily tell a $5k guitar or trumpet from a $200 one just by listening to a few bars.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:38 AM on November 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
My instinct is you'll want to be right up close to $200 for a new one, but maybe do ok lower for used (eg that linked harp would probably sell under $100 used).
And as a novice I am pretty confident you will find the harp you linked to sound nice and be fun to play, unless eg you can already easily tell a $5k guitar or trumpet from a $200 one just by listening to a few bars.
posted by SaltySalticid at 10:38 AM on November 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: That's a really hard range to find a harp in, unless you get lucky finding one used, or are willing to try making a kit - a lot of the super cheap harps you see around are what are known as 'harp shaped objects'.
They can look really nice (they often have pretty looking carving), but they're horrible to play. In particular, they may fall out of tune incredibly fast, you may have strings that snap repeatedly due to burrs on the wood or metal pins, other bits of construction may give way, etc. in ways that can lead to bad playing habits (some of which can lead to things like RSI issues...) or just not having a good time. It's hard to have a good time playing a harp that doesn't stay in tune with itself for the length of a song, y'know?
There's a folk harp mailing list if you want to ask about specific kits and whether they hold up well/are accurately described in terms of how hard they are to make.
One of the lower-cost recs that's extremely reliable (but about double your price range new: you might be able to find options used, though!) are the Harpsicles and related models. They're designed by a harp maker who also does larger and more expensive harps, but they're designed to be student models and more accessible. Their site also has some good general info that may help you out.
You probably do want to look for people who are specifically familiar with harps - a lot of harp teachers also sell on used harps, or know who does, so searches like "harp teacher" and your area, or "harp circle" and your area may find you some links. (Often shipping harps adds a ton to the cost, so looking for what's local to you or at least driving distance is a good move to keep costs down.)
posted by jenettsilver at 11:30 AM on November 6, 2020 [6 favorites]
They can look really nice (they often have pretty looking carving), but they're horrible to play. In particular, they may fall out of tune incredibly fast, you may have strings that snap repeatedly due to burrs on the wood or metal pins, other bits of construction may give way, etc. in ways that can lead to bad playing habits (some of which can lead to things like RSI issues...) or just not having a good time. It's hard to have a good time playing a harp that doesn't stay in tune with itself for the length of a song, y'know?
There's a folk harp mailing list if you want to ask about specific kits and whether they hold up well/are accurately described in terms of how hard they are to make.
One of the lower-cost recs that's extremely reliable (but about double your price range new: you might be able to find options used, though!) are the Harpsicles and related models. They're designed by a harp maker who also does larger and more expensive harps, but they're designed to be student models and more accessible. Their site also has some good general info that may help you out.
You probably do want to look for people who are specifically familiar with harps - a lot of harp teachers also sell on used harps, or know who does, so searches like "harp teacher" and your area, or "harp circle" and your area may find you some links. (Often shipping harps adds a ton to the cost, so looking for what's local to you or at least driving distance is a good move to keep costs down.)
posted by jenettsilver at 11:30 AM on November 6, 2020 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Hello! I have played folk harp off and on for 20+ years.
My first harp was a 22-string (this is very small), with only sharpening blades on C and F. It was about $300, but only because it was an experimental model made by a local luthier. It sounds okay, but I wish it had 2 more strings.
My second harp is a 36-string, and has a full set of sharpening blades. It sounds great, but is of unverified make, and I've always struggled to find strings of the right gauge (and I suspect there are a couple of hidden burrs that are causing certain strings to break prematurely).
re: where to buy: you're probably going to need to look used. $200 is not a lot for a harp. $500-1000 is more like standard pricing for a new celtic/folk harp. One option to consider is looking for harp instructors in your area, and see if anyone has one for sale or, more likely, for rent (that's how I got started).
ADVICE:
* 24-string will get you the full range you need. There're some great harp books out there specifically with music scored for lap harp (so, reduced range compared to full-size, and no wild accidentals everywhere) to get you started on that. I would not go lower than 24-string.
* What you really want are sharpening levers, on every string, but this is more expensive. You may want to look for sharpening blades on C and F strings. It still gives you some versatility. There are kits you can buy to install these yourself, as well, which might save on up-front cost.
posted by curious nu at 11:31 AM on November 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
My first harp was a 22-string (this is very small), with only sharpening blades on C and F. It was about $300, but only because it was an experimental model made by a local luthier. It sounds okay, but I wish it had 2 more strings.
My second harp is a 36-string, and has a full set of sharpening blades. It sounds great, but is of unverified make, and I've always struggled to find strings of the right gauge (and I suspect there are a couple of hidden burrs that are causing certain strings to break prematurely).
re: where to buy: you're probably going to need to look used. $200 is not a lot for a harp. $500-1000 is more like standard pricing for a new celtic/folk harp. One option to consider is looking for harp instructors in your area, and see if anyone has one for sale or, more likely, for rent (that's how I got started).
ADVICE:
* 24-string will get you the full range you need. There're some great harp books out there specifically with music scored for lap harp (so, reduced range compared to full-size, and no wild accidentals everywhere) to get you started on that. I would not go lower than 24-string.
* What you really want are sharpening levers, on every string, but this is more expensive. You may want to look for sharpening blades on C and F strings. It still gives you some versatility. There are kits you can buy to install these yourself, as well, which might save on up-front cost.
posted by curious nu at 11:31 AM on November 6, 2020 [7 favorites]
I play harp, and I second everything jenettsilver said!
My smallest harp is a Harpsicle (the "Sharpsicle" model with B, C, and F levers), bought $750 used from a friend (including travel case). It's not as comfortable to play as my mid-size or large harps (because I hold the Harpsicle against myself with a guitar strap, instead of it resting gently against me like the larger harps), but it has a lovely sound, it stays in tune, and it's portable. I do have to modify most music to work with it, because the range is limited.
I definitely recommend finding somebody local who can help you figure out if there are any decent used harps to find near you, such as emailing a local harp teacher or somebody in a nearby chapter of the American Harp Society. There are only a few in-person harp stores scattered around United States, but if you can get to one, they're extremely helpful.
You can also simply call one of these specialized harp stores and ask questions, even if you're not sure whether you'd want to buy a harp from them. The harp world is small and interconnected, and everyone wants to help new harpists get started. (And even if you don't buy a harp from them, you may go back to them for string replacements, music books, and other accessories, so they're motivated to help you!)
For example, I bought my mid-size harp via a rent-to-own program from a store in my region (the San Francisco Bay Area), Harps Etc. You could also call up the Sylvia Woods Harp Center - she ran the harp store in Los Angeles that I went to as a kid (she helped my mom find a teacher for me when I was starting out). And I've always bought my strings from the Vanderbilt Music Company, and I bet they'd be helpful too, although they're more oriented toward pedal harps.
posted by dreamyshade at 4:43 PM on November 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
My smallest harp is a Harpsicle (the "Sharpsicle" model with B, C, and F levers), bought $750 used from a friend (including travel case). It's not as comfortable to play as my mid-size or large harps (because I hold the Harpsicle against myself with a guitar strap, instead of it resting gently against me like the larger harps), but it has a lovely sound, it stays in tune, and it's portable. I do have to modify most music to work with it, because the range is limited.
I definitely recommend finding somebody local who can help you figure out if there are any decent used harps to find near you, such as emailing a local harp teacher or somebody in a nearby chapter of the American Harp Society. There are only a few in-person harp stores scattered around United States, but if you can get to one, they're extremely helpful.
You can also simply call one of these specialized harp stores and ask questions, even if you're not sure whether you'd want to buy a harp from them. The harp world is small and interconnected, and everyone wants to help new harpists get started. (And even if you don't buy a harp from them, you may go back to them for string replacements, music books, and other accessories, so they're motivated to help you!)
For example, I bought my mid-size harp via a rent-to-own program from a store in my region (the San Francisco Bay Area), Harps Etc. You could also call up the Sylvia Woods Harp Center - she ran the harp store in Los Angeles that I went to as a kid (she helped my mom find a teacher for me when I was starting out). And I've always bought my strings from the Vanderbilt Music Company, and I bet they'd be helpful too, although they're more oriented toward pedal harps.
posted by dreamyshade at 4:43 PM on November 6, 2020 [2 favorites]
Also I got to play one of these pink toy harps once because an acquaintance at a print shop found it in a trash pile that a tech startup had thrown out. I ran over, brought my tuning key, tuned it, and taught the print shop employees about playing harp. It literally did not stay in tune for the length of a song. I can't believe they sell them as a "harp", for $190 - it was useless as an actual instrument. It was a hilarious trash find though!
posted by dreamyshade at 4:58 PM on November 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by dreamyshade at 4:58 PM on November 6, 2020 [1 favorite]
Best answer: In addition to all the great comments above, this video Harp Review - 10 harps from 50$ to 15.000$ shows you what some harp models in various price ranges sound like, so you can have an idea of what to expect.
posted by Signy at 1:44 AM on November 7, 2020 [3 favorites]
posted by Signy at 1:44 AM on November 7, 2020 [3 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by key_of_z at 10:15 AM on November 6, 2020 [2 favorites]