Harps?
Crossapple
big orchestral ones, but smaller Irish-type ones. I don't even know
whether they're called Celtic or Irish harps...
In addition to setting me straight on which is which, could anyone
tell me where to go about buying a small celtic-type harp?
I'd greatly appreciate any info. Thanks!
Carey
cross...@aol.com
jmei...@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
things: folk harp, celtic harp, irish harp. I've even heard lap harp applied
to it, but then I've seen another instrument referred to as a lap harp.
You can order harps from the Sylvia Woods Harp Center at P.O. Box 816;
Montrose CA 91021-0816 or call 1-800-272-HARP for a catalog. Places like the
House of Musical Traditions in Tacoma Park, Maryland sell harps. I bought mine
from a craftsman in the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism.) I love my
instrument. It has beautiful tone and was less expensive than store harps. At
music festivals, I have had qualified musicians and instrument dealers look at
it and remark on the quality crafsmanship. If you'd like, I could give you the
address of the man who made my harp.
Sincerely,
Breaca
Peter E. Jorgensen
In a previous article, cross...@aol.com (Crossapple) says:
>Is there anyone out there who can tell me something about harps? Not
>big orchestral ones, but smaller Irish-type ones. I don't even know
>whether they're called Celtic or Irish harps...
>
>In addition to setting me straight on which is which, could anyone
>tell me where to go about buying a small celtic-type harp?
>
I don't know if it's still there, but there used to be a store at the 5th
Street Market in Eugene, OR, called Balladeer Music (296 E. 5th Ave., 5th
Street Market, Eugene, OR, 97404; (503) 343-8043) that sold Celtic harps.
Also, Keelan's Music in Lincoln, NE (5221 S. 48th St., Lincoln. NE, 68516;
(402) 483-1880) used to be able to special order them.
--
From Peter Jorgensen
Internet: eq...@cleveland.freenet.edu
From BITNET, try: eq010%cleveland.freenet.edu@cunyvm if the above address
doesn't work.
Henry Houh
The harp mailng list (ha...@mit.edu) FAQ is attached. To subscribe,
send mail to harp-r...@mit.edu
Henry
h...@mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Hi everyone,
OK, here is the long-awaited FAQ List! Enjoy!
FAQ v1.0 8/10/91
v1.1 9/6/91 minor additions/revisions
v1.2 9/10/91 added more kit companies, teachers,
v2.0 added camps/conventions, other info
v2.1 6/23/92 added record places, other stuff
v2.2 11/19/92 minor additions/revisions
v2.3 11/23/93 added info on harp archive/ftp site
This information is a compilation of various sources garnered from the
harp mailing list at ha...@sequent.com, with notable contributions from
j...@netcom.netcom.com
moss%ib...@cs.umass.edu
sha...@juliet.ll.mit.edu
henry...@mit.edu
rmu...@dill.lcs.mit.edu
wmo...@mprgate.mpr.ca
If you have anything to add, or have any comments, please mail them to:
******************************************************************************
Harp list archive
The archive (tns.lcs.mit.edu) is accessible via anonymous ftp. It
contains messages sent to the mailing list from July 1993, and I am
working on getting all older messages there.
Also, the (old and most recent) FAQs, Welcome Messages, Mail
Directory, Teacher List, postscript harps, and Who's Harping issues
are stored there. The messages to the list are stored month by month,
and the digest is stored in one massive file.
If you have ftp access on the net, here is how one would access the
archives.
From your unix prompt:
ftp tns.lcs.mit.edu
(it will ask you for your login name, type:)
anonymous
(it will ask you to enter user ID and your machine name as a password;
type whatever:)
(You will then be able to access the files on the server, type:)
cd pub/mail-archive/harp
(Now you are in the harp directory, type:)
ls
(to view the files there, type:)
get who.1
(to get the who.1 file, you can get other files in this manner)
(to logout, type:)
logout
******************************************************************************
Harp Societies/Publications:
American Harp Society
(American Harp Journal)
Historical Harp Society
International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, Inc.
(Folk Harp Journal)
Scottish Harp Society of America
(The Kilt & Harp)
******************************************************************************
The American Harp Society/Journal
The American Harp Journal is published twice a year by the American
Harp Society, Inc. and contains information that might be interesting
to pedal-harpists, altough many of the advertisements are directed
towards harpers.
A year's subscription (1 Sept - 31 Aug) is available only through
membership in the American Harp Society, at the following rates:
Student (<21) $10
Regular $25
Contributing $35
Sustaining $50
Sponsor $100
Patron $150
Benefactor $1000+
Life $500
You will receive both issues of the harp journal if you join in the
middle of the year. Foreign members and subscribers: write for rates.
American Harp Society, Inc.
PO Box 38334
Los Angeles, CA 90038
As a member, you will also receive a membership directory. Also,
there are some local chapters in which you can request membership.
There is also an annual convention (see convention section).
******************************************************************************
The Historical Harp Society.
Established to promote the exchange of ideas and information in the
area of early harps. The Society is also dedicated to promoting
research into the music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance,
recovering the playing techniques of early harps and reviving the
building of these instruments.
Annual dues are $18 per year, from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. The Society
publishes a lively and informal newsletter three times per year, which
is included in your membership.
To join, mail to:
Jean Humphrey
HHS Membership Chair
631 North 3rd Ave.
St. Charles, IL 60174
******************************************************************************
The ISFHC and the FHJ
The Folk Harp Journal is published four times a year by the
International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, Inc. (ISFHC).
The purpose of this journal is to "assemble and distribute all
information pertaining to the folk harp, its music and techniques of
its use". Getting hold of the FHJ is well worth it!
One calendar year of the FHJ is included in ISFHC membership, obtained
by a minimum contribution to the Society, which is $22 (Nov 92).
Outside the U.S., a postage surcharge must be added, as follows:
Canada and Mexico $2; all other countries, surface mail $2, air mail
$8. ( US funds, payable to "ISFHC").
For those joining in mid-year, your membership will be retroactive to
Jan. 1, and you will be sent the issues already published during the
year. If you would like membership to begin next Jan. 1, receiving
your first issue next March, let them know.
ISFHC
4718 Maychelle Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92807-3040
(714) 998-5717
As a member, you will also receive a membership directory.
******************************************************************************
Scottish Harp Society of America and "The Kilt & Harp".
Activities of the Scottish Harp Society of America (so its membership
form says): The Kilt & Harp magazine, competitions, music, networking.
The Kilt & Harp: This journal covers history, music, and techniques
of the small harp (clarsach). New tunes to play are included in each
issue. In addition, there is a calendar listing Scottish Games,
Festivals, workshops, harp schools, and harp activities throughout
North America. In-depth articles give a sense of history.
Dues are $12 a year ($15 outside continental US).
Send application for membership to:
Janie O'Brien, SHSA Secretary
7812 Rebel Dr.
Annadale, VA 22003
******************************************************************************
Harp Camps/Conventions:
The Calfornia Harp Camp
******************************************************************************
The California Harp Camp
Wed-Sun, February 5 thru 9, 1992.
At: Bishop's Ranch, Healdsburg, CA.
TEACHERS: Kim Robertson, Chris Caswell, Cynthia Valenzuela, Debra
Knodel and Jane Valencia (Spookytree), Barbara Magone, Kit Bailey and
others (tentative list).
WHAT: Andean, Scottish, Paraguayan, Irish, Welsh, Venezuelan, and Mexican
harping styles will be taught.
Also: Salsa, Historical harp, jazz, modes, improvisation and
composition, performing, ensemble skills, Cape Breton accompaniment,
rhythm, voice, contra dancing, healthy harping, effective practise,
and more.
"The California Harp Camp is dedicated to the open synthesis of
different harp styles and the development of harp technique. We
believe that all styles can both offer and gain from a sharing of
their technical and artistic resources.
"In an elegant manor house surrounded by the oaks and redwoods of
Northern California's wine country, harpers will gather this winter to
try something new. Over the last few decades the harp styles of the
classical and Celtic worlds have been meeting those of Latin America,
jazz, and the "new age". In response to this burst of development,
the California Harp Camp has been created as a center for the fusion
of these elements.
"All levels are welcome. Each student will have the opportunity to
work with every instructor. Excellent workshops will be available in
basic rhythm and accompaniment. A special program has been developed
for absolute beginners which will allow them to participate quickly
and comfortably."
For more information, write or call:
Chris Caswell
P.O. Box 1339
Forestville, CA 95436
(707) 887-7111
[Or contact Jane Valencia at j...@netcom.netcom.com]
Price is still to be determined.
******************************************************************************
Harp Dealers/Suppliers/Designs:
Andy's Front Hall
Antique Sound Workshop
Argent Fox Music
Aoyama
CAMAC
Caswell Harps
Clairseach Productions
Douglas Harps
Encore Harp Service
Folkcraft Instruments
Folk Mote Music
The Harp and Dragon
Harpress of California
Harps of Lorien
Here, Inc.
Hidden Valley Harps
Hughes Dulcimer Company
Hummingbird Instruments
International Music Service
Lark in the Morning
Lynne Lewandowski
Lyon & Healy
Markwood Musical Instrument Makers
Clive Morley Harps
Eliot Moss
Musicmaker's Kits
Pegasus Music
Robinson's Harp Shop
Sylvia Woods Harp Center
Triplett
Vanderbilt Music
W&W
Random Harp Questions:
What is the HEWN?
Where to get a postscript pedal harp picture
??? Have a random question/answer?
******************************************************************************
Andy's Front Hall
It is a really nice place, with a large selection of CDs, records,
tapes, song/music books, and instruments. I highly recommend visiting
there for anyone interested in folk music of any kind. This is run by
Bill Spence (and others I think), the famous hammered-dulcimer player.
Unfortunately he was off at a festival when I visited.
Andy's Front Hall
PO Box 307
Voorheesville, NY 12186
info: 518-765-4193
orders only: 1-800-759-1775
Business hours:
M-F 10am-6pm
Sat 10am-3pm (December only, 10am-6pm)
Sun closed
holidays closed
Directions:
We are located approximately 10 miles west of Albany, NY (exit 24 or
25 off the New York Thruway). Find your way to Rt. 20 Western Ave and
travel west from Albany to the intersection of Rt. 155. Turn left on
155 (going toward, but not into Voorheesville) for 2.5 miles. Turn
right on Wormer Road and follow it through the Albany Country Club for
2 miles until you see our sign FRONT HALL LANE and a black-and-white
mailbox (we are in a cow mood these days). Turn into our lane and
you're here!
******************************************************************************
Antique Sound Workshop Ltd.
1080 Beacon St.
Brookline, MA (suburb of Boston)
Antique Sound Workshop also deals with some other harp makers, and is
a great company - it is really just one man, working out of a large
apartment stuffed with instruments.
sha...@juliet.ll.mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Argent Fox Music
1318 S. Palmer Av.
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 332-5214
Argent Fox is a small, rapidly growing operation out of Bloomington,
Indiana. It is operated by Dan Speer (mentioned in my first post).
Their current business in primarily in Indiana, Illinois, and
Michigan. They specialize in hammer dulcimers and small harps.
First let me say I do not consider myself a harpist (I'm a hammer
dulcimer player expanding my horizons). The harps are very solidly
constructed and come with a 5 year warranty. I haven't played enough
harps to have a good ear for sound comparison, but of the few harps I
have played I consider these to be well above average. The
workmanship is very good, though slightly less than the Dusty Strings
instruments I have seen.
I have seen Dan work with customers to get them exactly the harp
(woods, etc) they want. They offer harps with solid wood or laminate
sound boards, nylon or phosphor-bronze strings, with or without
sharping levers. Last I checked the prices started at about $250.
Sharping levers ran about $8 a string. I have also seen Dan offer
full refunds to anyone not satisfied with his instruments.
cal...@cs.uiuc.edu
******************************************************************************
Aoyama
A Japanese maker of Irish and Pedal harps. Cheaper, quality-wise and
money-wise, than Lyon & Healy, W & W, and Salvi.
Mrs. G. W. Bethell/Marni Johnson
2188 S.W. Main
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-7352
(503) 227-4169
I had two friends purchase Aoyama harps. Both harps are two years old
now. They still have a very shallow, tiny sound and are extremly
tight. Both friends had difficulties in dealing with the distributor
in Portland. One of the girls had a foot of the harp break off after
only two months (no unusual wear-and-tear) the dealer in Portland
refused to fix it even though it was still under warranty. She said
that it would be "too much trouble." My friend ended up footing the
bill (pun intended) herself to get it fixed.
rmu...@cs.uiuc.edu
******************************************************************************
CAMAC
They sell harp kits.
CAMAC
Mouzeil, 44850 Ligne
France
******************************************************************************
Caswell Harps
PO Box 1339
Forestville, CA 95436
(707) 887-7111
Sell harp plans and instructions for 27-string nylon or wire-strung
harp, range C below middle C up to A. 26 pages of complete
instructions. $19.00 (1988 price).
I have these plans & instructions, and they seem VERY complete.
Caswell also supplies hardware and strings for these plans.
j...@netcom.netcom.com
******************************************************************************
Clairseach Productions
5012 Schaefer Rd
Minneapolis, MN 55436
Here's the promised address for ordering Ann Heymann's wire-strung
harp tutor. I don't know the current prices. The book is, or at
least used to be, available stapled (cheaper) or spiral-bound (lays
flat). I think there's a cassette with the tunes on it, too.
dor...@cvedc.prime.com
******************************************************************************
Douglas Harps
I've played one of these and liked it. They are a little bit bulky and
purists looking for an authentic Celtic harp won't want to get one
with his Dilling single action semi-tone mechanism. Otherwise - the
sound is very nice and the harps are very attractive. All his harps
are 33 strings, nylon and wire wraps and 42 inches high. The single
action system has 7 finger operated switches on the neck that function
like the pedals of a concert harp.
Dilling Model - single action system $4000
Celtic Harp - levers $2000
Celtic/Convertable to Dilling: $2800 ($1200 to convert)
Options include:
high gloss finish $200
Custom finish (veneered in your choice of hardwoods) $150 to $300
Soundboard decoration $175
Gut Strings - inquire
Soft and Hard cases, and extra strings are available.
His harps are used by Emily Mitchell, Eric Bergland Harvi Griffin and
others... Arsalaan Fay - the builder - is very friendly and will talk
on the phone to anyone intersted in a harp.
Douglas Harps
(Arsallan Fay - harpmaker)
31 Campus Plaza Road
Hadley, MA 01035
413-253-7532
sha...@juliet.ll.mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Encore Harp Service
A selection of music for both pedal and non-pedal harp
Encore Harp Service
4100 Old Adobe Road
Palo Alto, CA 94036
******************************************************************************
Folkcraft Instruments
They sell harp kits.
Folkcraft Instruments
P.O. Box 807-M
Winsted, CT 06098
203-379-9857
******************************************************************************
Folk Mote Music
1034 Santa Barbara St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 962-0830
24 hr. FAX: (805) 962-2841
Stock a full line of recorded and written music by Kim Robertson,
Sylvia Woods, and others.
HARPS: In stock--harps by seven or more makers represented at all
times. Carry harps in a variety of sizes, designs, string tensions
and string spacings.
(Nadine Bunn, one of the co-owners of this store, is also FHJ's
editor. She's very helpful--definitly a pleasure to deal with.)
j...@netcom.netcom.com
******************************************************************************
The Harp and Dragon
She'll send a harp catalog if you call her, sometimes she request a
self-addressed stamped envelope. I found her to be very helpful when
I was starting on the harp.
She lists some smaller harps (~$400 range, including lap harps) and
some bigger Troubadour harps made by Lyon and Healy (and others).
Those are from $1000-$2000. She also has a Salvi double action petit
size for ~$6000 (but this one is not recommended if you will be
planning on moving up to a concert model).
She also has a little catalog of harp trinketts and music.
Anne Habermehl
The Harp and Dragon
25 Madison Street
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 756-7372
henry...@mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Harpress of California
They carry a small selection of music, as well as books on harp
improvisation and harmonizing.
Harpress of California
951 Blair Ct.
Palo Alto, CA 94303
(415) 856-1818
******************************************************************************
Harps of Lorien
They carrt folk harps: 26 string lap harp, 33 string prtable, 38
string floor harp. Write for a catalog.
Harps of Lorien
610 North Star Rt
Quest, NM 87556
(505) 586-1307
******************************************************************************
Here, Inc.
Maker of harps. They also have kits.
Here, Inc.
R. R. 4
Red Wing, MN 55066
I have one of their harps (29 string, on little legs) and I have been
quite happy with it. Not that I shopped around much, but it seemed
much less expensive than other harps, and I feel it was quite a
bargain.
******************************************************************************
Hidden Valley Harps
Represents W&W on the West Coast. They are also the dealer for
Waltons of Dublin.
Hidden Valley Harps
1444 Calle Place
Escondido, CA 92027
(619) 743-0747
******************************************************************************
Historical Harps/Tim Hobrough
Tim makes wonderfull harps in a wide selections of historical types.
He also makes lyres, psaltries, dulcimers and medieval bowed
instruments. He makes Gothic harps and a great small metal strung
harp. His 'modern clarsachs' are the spiritual decendants of the
medieval clarsach and are gut-strung, with levers. He sells some kits
and holds workshops in harp construction. He is in Scotland
(specifically, Beauly, Inverness-shire) however, here in the States
you can contact him through
I own and love one of his modern clarsachs.
sha...@juliet.ll.mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Hughes Dulcimer Company
4419-C W. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80204
Sells harp kits, starting from around $100. They also sell kits for
hammer dulcimers.
******************************************************************************
Hummingbird Instruments
212 Wayne N.W.
Albuquerque, N.M. 87114
(505) 897-1725
I've liked the small harps from Hummingbird. They have a three octave
harp that I believe is relatively inexpensive (compared to Dusty
Strings and Triplett). I want to say $600 or $700, but you'd have to
check.
j...@netcom.netcom.com
******************************************************************************
International Music Service
They sell music, strings, accessories. They also deal in Venus (W &W)
harps. Their 130-page music catalog and binder can be ordered for
a cost of about $7. The catalog contains a section (~20 pages) of
non-pedal harp music.
International Music Service
113 W. 69th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 874-3360
******************************************************************************
Lark in the Morning
This company deals with all sorts of "odd" instruments. It has a good
reputation as a company, but I don't know anything about most of the
harps they carry. They do carry several, varying in size and price.
The smallest is a fairly nice one for a beginner and is the only harp
that small that has tuning levers. They may have other harps and
often have miscellaneous instruments on consignment
(prices ~8/90)
Rosewood harp: 19 strings, Tuned to F, 29" tall, with old style hook levers
on all strings. sides are carved with floral design. Solid
rosewood with a laminated mahogany face.
$200
Hummingbird: 23 strings G below middle C to a, Height 33", black walnut
or cherry
$345
levers $4 each, extra strings $30, shipping $35
Merlin: 29 strings, C below middle C to c, ht. 41", black walnut
or cherry, sitka spruce soundboard, levers on c/f
$645, extras levers $4/each, extra string set $40
shipping $45
Columbine: 33 strings, (from F below middle C) walnut or cherry,
sitka spruce soundboard, 48" ,levers on all strings,
$995, ships $75, extra strings $50
(The above are all by "Hummingbird")
They also carry some Tripletts
Lark in the Morning
PO Box 1176
Mendocino, CA 95460
(707) 964-5569
sha...@juliet.ll.mit.edu
******************************************************************************
Ah, I knew I'd seen her (well, her work really) in an FHJ
somewhere....In the latest issue, there's a photo of a narrow, tall
(?), graceful looking harp. The caption reads "Renaissance Harp",
then, "For a complete brochure of Early Harp designs write to:
Lynne Lewandowski
67 Main St.
Brattleboro, VT 05301
I have Therese Schroeder-Sheker's Historical Harp, Vol 1, recording.
On it, she plays wire and gut-strung harps, and some psalteries, all of
which were made by Lynne.
j...@netcom.netcom.com
******************************************************************************
Lyon & Healy
They make pedal and non-pedal harps. They have a rent to buy program,
as well as a strictly rental program.
There are about 20 pages of non-pedal harp music in their 170 page
music catalog, which they will send free upon request.
Lyon & Healy
168 North Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 786-1881
(800) 621-3881
******************************************************************************
Markwood Musical Instrument Makers
Provides nylon and phosphor bronze strings for most folk harps. A
computerized string analysis service is available.
Harp plans and (possibly) harp kits. Though I'll describe what Mark's
kits are all about, I'd phone him first to see if he's still making
them or whether he'll go back to producing them in the future.
Plans and instruction manuals: complete and informative, totalling
almost 50 pages. For making 22 metal-strung, 22 nylon, 29 nylon, or
34 nylon-strung harps.
His harp kits (for the models listed above), were available in four
stages of completion.
Examples of 1989 prices:
Stage 1 kit Stage 2 kit Stage 3 kit Finished
*************** ********-- ********-- ********-
22 string wire $120 $250 $320 N/A
34 string nylon $200 $325 $475 $950
Markwood Musical Instrument Makers
1250 NE 5th St.
Bend, OR 97701
(503) 389-6775
j...@netcom.netcom.com
******************************************************************************
Clive Morley Harps
Goodfellows Farm
Nr. Lechlade,
Gloucestershire GL7 3JG
England
Telephone: 0367 86 493 Fax: 0367 86 659
This is of one of my favourite places to buy music and strings. They
also sell harps.
When I was first buying harp strings, I found that this was the
cheapest place, even when converting from pounds to Canadian $.
Service is very quick for mail order.
I know that they sell Elysian, John Morley, and Erard harps. My harp
teacher has an Elysian. It is made in Russia and consequently handles
the weather here quite well. Moyra can leave her harp overnight in her
car in winter and it won't go much out of tune. The harp has a lovely
tone, and was several thousand cheaper than a Lyon & Healey (it more
than paid for her trip to London where she picked in out).
I think that the John Morley harps are the folk harps. Models that
they have that I know of are the Kerry, Hempson, O'Niel, Carolan,
Minstrel, and Clarsach. This company has made harps for years. The
harps are called John Morley, the company used to be called Robert
Morley and Sons, and just became Clive Morley a few years ago. I have
heard from a couple of people in Canada that the best folk harps are
made in Britain, partly because the tradition is passed on from
generation to generation.
My harp teacher visited them a couple of years ago, and almost bought
herself a third harp (this one a folk harp). She says they have a good
sized show room and she was sorely tempted. Instead she spent over
$100 on music.
Morley's sells a lot of music. They have restored several older
anthologies of music and are probably the only place selling some of
this music. I am currently playing a John Parry anthology of Welsh
Music.
I know Morley's have a catalogue of music, as well as strings and
other harp "toys". They sell things like tuners, key holders, harp
badges, car window stickers (including "Rwy'n fy nhelyn" - I love my
harp in either Welsh or Celtic), and one of my favourites is an
adjustable height harp chair (with back). The latter was 250 pounds in
1989 so it's a bit steep for me.
That's it for now, I think I'm getting tempted to write them for a
catalogue of harps myself!
wmo...@mprgate.mpr.ca
******************************************************************************
J. Eliot B. Moss
Folks -- I finally put together my harp information file about
Triplett harps (and a few other resources of interest to new harpers)
and enclose it below. Perhaps it will be useful for an FAQ
(frequently asked questions) file or packet for new subscribers. Since
I don't make any significant amount of money from representing
Triplett, I view this more as a service announcement than an
advertisement.
Regards -- Eliot Moss
This file contains information about Triplett harps and a bit about
buying harps in general. It is current as of September 22, 1991; the
major things that could change would be prices (usually up,
naturally). First, I am:
Eliot Moss
Clearsong Harps
411 Old Farm Road
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002-2756
(413) 253-9242 (home)
(413) 545-4206 (work)
Having obtained the necessary tax card, I sell Triplett harps retail
at 25% off the list price. Harps, strings, and accessories are
discountable; crating and shipping are not. If an item is shipped to a
Massachusetts address I must also add 5% sales tax; if shipped to a
California address, Triplett will need 6% sales tax (we'll have to
work out the details since I've never done that). Order terms are 25%
down with the rest due before shipment (if shipped directly to you) or
before delivery (if shipped to us for hand delivery to you). We have
had no problem with personal checks so far, so that's acceptable.
Since we're not really running this business for any profit (we get
about 5% which mostly covers our phone calls and such) we have not
arranged for credit cards and the like. You can find other dealers who
accept credit cards if that's what you want to do.
Before I get on to listing descriptions of individual harp models and
such, I'd like to say a little bit about why I represent Triplett.
There are a lot of people out there who make fine instruments. Some
makers have inconsistent quality, some are less than professional in
their business dealings, etc. I have found Triplett to be very
reliable and consistent in quality and have had no money problems or
other business difficulties with them other than occasional shipping
delays which happen to almost any mail order business. There are
other companies out there that are also consistently good in both
respects, such as Dusty Strings and a number of others. I represent
Triplett because I personally like the sound and look of their harps,
but I have no problem if you like somebody else's harp. In fact, I'll
even admit that I like the sound of a Bunker harp even better, but
they cost substantially more and there's a long wait.
Concerning kits, Triplett makes a nice harp and you can get it in kit
form, but they're not designed for easy kit construction -- they're
designed to sound great at reasonable cost. If you're not really
confident about your woodworking ability and want a kit I'd suggest
talking with Jerry Brown at Musicmaker's Kits, Inc., 423 South Main,
Stillwater, MN 55082, 1-800-432-KITS (5487) or (612) 439-9120 in the
Twin Cities area.
If you are a first time harp purchaser, I recommend you acquire a
booklet called "The Harp Hunter's Handbook" by David Kolacny,
available for $5 from Kolacny Music, 1900 S Broadway, Denver, CO
80210. Some other useful resources are: the Sylvia Woods Harp Center
(800-272-HARP, PO Box 816, Montrose CA 91021-0816) -- get on her
mailing list for a catalog chock full of tapes, music, and other good
stuff; the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, who
publish the quarterly Folk Harp Journal (to which you should
definitely subscribe; send $18 payable to ISFHC, 4718 Maychelle Drive,
Anaheim, CA 92807-3040 (714-998-5717)) and an annual membership
directory, and who sponsor the every-other-year Folk Harp Conference
(1992 in San Diego, 1994 in New England, I believe); and the Scottish
Harp Society ($12/year, c/o Christina Tourin, PO Box 575, Waterbury VT
05676, 802-244-8141) who publish a directory and a newsletter.
Triplett Harps can be reached at 220 Suburban Rd, San Luis Obispos, CA
93401, 805-544-2777. There are many other resources, but these will
get you started.
Now, on to the various models of Triplett harps, summarized below. The
prices are list price / discounted price and the kit price
(list/discounted), with the price for an *extra* set of strings (which
I recommend since you can't get these at your local music store)
written as [list/discounted].
Model Strings Type Price (Kit) [String set] Range Height
Zephyr 22 Nylon $450/ 337.50 (not avail) [25/18.75] C up to C 28" [a]
Zenith 25 Nylon $775/ 581.25 (440/330.00) [38/28.50] G up to C 36"
Axline 30 Nylon $1160/ 870.00 (620/465.00) [60/45.00] G up to A 48"
Briggs 34 Nylon $1980/1485.00 (870/652.50) [85/63.75] C up to A 52" [b]
Celtic 34 Nylon $1980/1485.00 (870/652.50) [85/63.75] C up to A 52" [b]
Premiere 38 Nylon $2460/1845.00 (not avail) [95/71.25] A up to C 60" [b]
Lap 20 Wire $530/ 397.50 (345/258.75) [25/18.75] G up to E 26"
Irish 25 Wire $825/ 618.75 (450/337.50) [35/26.25] C up to F 34"
Irish 30 Wire $1160/ 870.00 ( ?? ) [60/45.00] C up to D 48"
Excelle 33 Wire $1650/1237.50 (not avail) [75/56.25] C up to G 50"
New prices 11/19/92:
list discounted
Zephyr 22-string (middle C up to C) 475.00 356.25
Zenith 25-string (G below middle C up to C) 800.00 600.00
[a] The Zephyr used to have 21 strings, but in any case, it fits in
the overhead compartment on most commercial jets.
[b] These models come with blade or flip levers and feet included. The
Premiere also includes soundboard binding ("trim"). The Celtic is
probably the most popular model.
These prices are without levers, for orders before 12/18/92. Blade
levers are $7 each installed ($5.25 discounted) and flip levers $8 ($6
discounted). They do not do Loveland levers (but you can buy those
yourself and install them). Other items:
extra string sets soft cases
list discounted list discounted crating shipping
Zephyr 25.00 18.75 150.00 112.50 25.00 15.00
Zenith 38.00 29.50 180.00 135.00 35.00 30.00
After 12/18/92 prices will go up by about 7%. Orders in by 12/18/92
will be built in the JanFeb production run and shipped by the end of
February. (The current run is Nov/Dec and it's too late to get in on
it.) However, Zephyr harps are sometimes in stock.
Triplett and Dusty Strings both offer consistently good quality. There
are a few makers that make finer harps (in my opinion), but a novice
will not notice the difference and will almost certainly not want to
pay for it. A number of smaller makers do quite well too. Some are
less consistent, but most of the ones who have been in business for a
while are probably all right. You should also check with a number of
customers to see if they've had business problems dealing with the
harp maker -- some of the makers are not as good as they should be
about handling money and delivering when promised. Triplett and Dusty
Strings are highly reliable in that regard.
Unless included, sharping levers are as follows, per string: bronze
blade levers - $4, with installation - $5, bronze flip levers - $7.
Feet are $40 total ($10 each), detachable feet are $80 total. These
items are all discountable. Every harp comes with a tuning wrench.
Standard woods are walnut, cherry, maple, and ash, with more exotic
woods available at additional cost (inquire). Triplett does not sell
cases.
Crating and shipping are *not* discountable, and cost as follows
(these rates fluctuate some, so check if you need exact prices):
Size Crating Shipping
20/22 strings $20 $25
25 strings $25 $40
30 strings $30 $55
33/34 strings $35 $120
38 strings $45 $120
Average construction lead time from order to shipping is 3 to 4
months, and since they build in cycles, it depends a lot on where they
are in the cycle when you order. Since Christmas deliveries are
popular, expect longer delays in the fall.
Either Triplett or I can supply a booklet with black and white photos
of the various models (but if I get too many inquiries there will be a
delay while I get more of the books from Triplett).
Happy harping, and we welcome your questions! Eliot Moss
J. Eliot B. Moss, Associate Professor Visiting Associate Professor
Department of Computer Science School of Computer Science
Lederle Graduate Research Center Carnegie Mellon University
University of Massachusetts 5000 Forbes Avenue
Amherst, MA 01003 Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3891
(413) 545-4206, 545-1249 (fax) (412) 268-6767, 681-5739 (fax)
Mo...@cs.umass.edu Mo...@cs.cmu.edu
******************************************************************************
Musicmaker's Kits
Harp kits and plans. These harps are available in various stages of
construction:
Heartland lap harp: 25 strings, nylon. Range G to c'. Concert
spacing. A beginner or travel harp.
Gothic harp: 31-string, nylon. Lowest note is E two 8vas below middle
C.
Gothic harp: 36-string, nylon.
Irish lap harp: 22 strings, nylon.
Student harp: 29 strings, nylon.
Musicmaker's Kits
423 South Main
Stillwater, MN 55082
(800) 432-KITS
Technical hotline: (612) 439-9130
******************************************************************************
Paradise Music
Publish and sell a variety of folk harp sheet music (classical, pop,
folk, and some early music) and method books. Sell cassette tapes.
HARPS: nylon-strung harps by Hummingbird, Stoney End, and Heartland. A
wire-strung harp by Heartland, and a travel harp by Stoney End are
also available by order.
(priced ~1/91)
Hummingbird:
Hummingbird $420
Merlin $740
Columbine $1195 includes full set of Robinson levers ($100 ship)
Lupine $1400 includes full set of Robinson levers ($100 ship)
Stoney End:
Travel (22) $295 Nylon
$320 Wire
Full-Size (29) $485 Nylon
$510 Wire
Heartland Strings:
Dipper (29) $695
Corona (32) $1080 Loveland levers on Fs and Cs ($100 ship)
Polaris (36) $1250 Loveland levers on Fs and Cs ($100 ship)
Orion (34) $1090 Bronze Strings ($100 ship)
Lyra (25) $375 Nylon or Steel strings
Paradise Music
556 Paradise Lane
Edmonds, WA 98020
(206) 774-8359
******************************************************************************
Pegasus Music
They sell tons of folk ethnic, and new age music, as well as
songbooks, instruction books, and bodhrans and harps.
Pegasus Music
PO Box 150471
Arlington TX 76015-6471
(817) 572-5547
******************************************************************************
Robinson's Harp Shop
Sell video tapes, books, music, harp plans, Celtic harp and Paraguayan
harp recordings, parts and strings.
HARPS: Paraguayan harps. Call for availability and prices.
STRINGS: Individual strings and string sets for most non-pedal harps.
Phophor bronze and nylon strings.
HARDWARE: Tuning pegs, sharping levers, bridge pins, soundboard
eyelets, and more.
PLANS:
Harp plans.
Tara. 36-string, nylon.
Mini-Concert. 30 or 36 string, nylon.
Irish. 30 string, nylon.
Paraguayan. 36 string, nylon.
Ancient Celtic. 30 string, wire.
Leprechaun Jr. 28 string, nylon(?)
Gypsy. 23 string, nylon.
Robinson's Harp Shop
33908 Mt. Laguna Dr.
P.O. Box 161
Mt. Laguna, CA 92048
(619) 473-8556
FAX: (619) 473-8212
******************************************************************************
Sylvia Woods Harp Center
Celtic harp, pedal harp, and other recordings, instruction tapes,
instruction books, music, electronic tuners and microphones, and more.
HARPS: Triplett harps (both wire- and nylon-strung, also a travel
harp. Not sure if they sell the triple-harp Triplett just
developed.), and Dusty Strings nylon-strung harps. Available on
order. Often, though, there are models in stock. A harp
demonstration video, featuring these harps is also available.
STRINGS: Nylon strings only, and only strings for Triplett, Dusty
Strings, Markwood, and Caswell harps.
Sylvia Woods Harp Center
P.O. Box 29521
Los Angeles, CA 90029
1-800-272-HARP.
Sylvia Woods Harp Center
PO Box 816
Montrose, CA 91021-0816
(800) 272-HARP
*******************************************************************************
Triplett Harps
As of 1988, these were the harps available as kits. (Prices quoted
are 1988 prices. No doubt they've gone up since then....)
Harps String Type Range Kit Price Price New
************** ********-- ************** ******** ********
20-string
lap harp wire G up to E $270 $410
25 string
Irish low headed wire C up to F $380 $700
25 string
McCurdy nylon E up to A $380 $700
30-string
Axline nylon G up to A $475 $910
31-string
Irish high headed wire C up to D $475 $910
34-string
Celtic nylon C up to A $645 $1285
34-string
Briggs nylon C up to A $645 $1300
Their blurb says: "Our kits are identical in design and materials to
our finished instruments. We do all of the machine work and most of
the difficult joinery. Harp parts come ready to assemble and finish.
All strings and hardware are included and patience and a few simple
hand tools are all that is necessary to complete a fine instrument."
I'd say a little more is involved than this! Although it's true
they've done the hardest parts (joining the neck with the pillar , for
instance) be prepared for a significant woodworking project. Some
woodworking experience helps!
I have their 20-string wire kit. I was quite pleased with their
choice of wood. They've been very helpful and patient whenever I've
called with my many questions regarding putting this kit together.
Though they officially sell kits only, I know a couple of people who
have built harps from their plans. If building harps from plans
interests you, it would be worth checking with them.
Triplett Harps
220 Suburban, Suite B.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 544-2777
j...@netcom.netcom.com
*******************************************************************************
Vanderbilt Music Company
PO Box 456
Bloomington, IN 47402
(800) 533-7200
(812)-333-5255 (in Indiana and Canada)
They will send a free catalog (~30 pages) if you call.
They have a lot of pedal harp music, some non-pedal harp music, and
some accessories. They also sell Lyon & Healy and Salvi pedal harps.
They also rent Toubadours and Folk Harps. As of 9/91, they were
consistently a bit more expensive for sheet music than International
Music.
As of 1/91 Deposit Purchase
Toubador $60/mo $120 $2,295
Folk $45/mo $ 90 $1,250
Rent may be applied to the purchase price, some restrictions apply
*******************************************************************************
W & W Musical Instrument Company
3868 West Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60651
Maker of Venus pedal harps. Student models start from $7000; concert
models start from $8000; grand concert models start from $10,000.
They also rebuild old harps, but I don't have any information on that
yet.
*******************************************************************************
List of teachers
Sally Boyd (sa...@solbourne.com):
Therese Honey - mostly classical, sometimes folk, (maybe) plays with
the Galveston Symphony. Plays regularly at the Texas Renaissance
Festival.
Henry Houh (henry...@mit.edu):
Liu Yi - graduate student of Lucille Lawrence, Salzedo style.
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************************
Random Harp Questions:
What is the HEWN?
Where to get a postscript pedal harp picture
??? Have a random question/answer?
******************************************************************************
What is the HEWN?
HEWN stands for Harp Early Warning Network. As far as what it is, I'm
not sure.
******************************************************************************
Where to get a postscript pedal harp picture
You can get one by asking:
******************************************************************************
??? Have a random question/answer?
Have anything to add to the FAQ? Please mail to:
******************************************************************************
Chris Evans
what I've gathered over the last n years, and so may not be perfect (that's
enough excuses get on with it!)
The Irish harp is the smaller one, which is generally held on the knees
and played.
The Breton or Celtic harp is slightly bigger , and usually sits on a stand,
bringing it up to knee level.
The Welsh three-string harp is the big beastie, about the same size as a
concert harp, but more pointed (The top goes up into a point - honest). It
has three sets of strings running in parallel (you're now going to ask the
question of how to play the middle set aren't you?)
The concert harp only has one set of strings, and sounds nowhere as nice as a
Welsh one (but then I may be biased)
As to where to buy one, I'll leave that to others, the cheapest harps will
cost around a thousand pounds, and I sadly don't have that money to burn.
Hwyl
Chris
sj60...@auvax1.adelphi.edu
I can supply you with harps, tutors, videos, music, etc. and I would be happy to talk to you about them when I have more time.
In the meantime, e-mail me for a catalogue and your questions and I will look forward to helping you out as best I can.
Stuart
Celtic Cultures
25-72 36th Street
L.I.C., NY 11103 U.S.A.
(718) 956- 3019\
e-mail: sj60...@auvax1.adelphi.edu
sj60...@auvax1.adelphi.edu
I would like the information about the harp maker.
Stuart (SCA: Stuidhart Martainn MacDhomhnaill).
amm10
ast year that is developing into a really sweet little instrument--or more corr
ectly--clarsach, gaelic for harp. John's address is Rte. 3 Box 48-A, Hawthorne
, FL 32640. (904)481-5856. Cherub harps--22in. tall and three octave range ru
n around $350. Get someone who knows to help you make your decisions. And I h
ighly recommend lessons. I take from a classically trained pedal harp teacher,
and I'm really glad that I decided to do that. And it was also recommended to
me by Billy Jackson of the now-defunct "Ossian." Can't get any better advice.
And good luck.