Drake or Ravenna?

[Victoria Johnson]

I have no experience with the L&H Drake, though I am a very happy Dusty Strings Crescendo owner. I know a number of Ravenna owners and they all have good things to say about the Ravenna. I like Dusty Strings as a company: they consistently produce quality products, it’s a nice company to deal with (and work for from what I’ve heard!), and provide really helpful information about their harps on their website. If you are looking for a forever harp, may I suggest considering the Crescendo if that’s within your budget? While you are getting a great harp when you buy a Ravenna, there are some upgrades in the Crescendo that I think are very nice, such as solid sapele wood neck, back and sides, full set of levers, and removable stand. (https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/harps/compare-dusty-harps/compare-specifications) I couldn’t justify spending more money to go from a Crescendo to a FH, but from a Ravenna 34 to a Crescendo 34 was a relatively easy decision. I have had the harp just over three years now and I am still in love with it. If you are more comfortable with the price point of a Ravenna, I am sure you will find it to be a really lovely harp too. Good luck with harp searching!

[Nina Lenoir]

This will not be helpful as J am having the same dilemma between the exact same two harps. I am wondering if anybody knows which one has lighter string tension from the player’s point of view. Often when manufacturers list tension, they mean the static tension that the strings put on the body of the harp which has nothing to do with the resistance/tension player’s are wanting to know, which is how much strength or effort is required to get a good tone. That is going to be my deciding factor.

[Cindy Bower Bower]

I have a student with the Drake harp. It has the new biocarbon (sugar) strings that are supposed to stay tuned longer and not break as easily (I’ve heard). Her harp is new and got a broken string right away which I guess can happen. It has taken it awhile to get tuned to a place where it stays tuned like we thought it would. The harp has a bright sound. I prefer mellower sounding harps.

I am saving up for the Salvi Una Deluxe harp. It is SO beautiful with 38 strings and only 24 pounds. I haven’t actually played one, but a friend who spent his career as a professional pedal harpist LOVES his. I would have to travel 300 miles one way or 400 miles another way to try one, so I might just trust him??? He said to plan to buy the wheeled case which I will LOVE and I will add that into my savings for this!!