-
Harpsicles vs harps
Hello y’all! I am wondering if a harpsicles would be better for me. I just started playing in January and am 62. I am playing for enjoyment and , when I get good enough, for church. Since the Ravenna that I am renting to own is so expensive I wonder if a harpsicles is a better match. Any input? Thanks
-
20 Replies
-
I love my harpsicle- have a Special Edition Fullsicle in cherry. It sounds great and has light string tension.
It only has 26 strings (lowest note is C one octave below middle C) so that can be limiting depending on what you want to play. Plus I think the strings are a little closer together than the Ravenna.
While I do plan on getting a larger harp at some point, I’m keeping my harpsicle as i enjoy it.
-
Thanks for the input
-
Hi,
I am also in my mid sixties. I bought the flatsicle about 8 months ago and love it. For the price it is excellent, nice sound and quality workmanship. I bought the natural Maple and also got a floor stand so it would be easier on my neck and back. My son has a $5,000 Lyon and Healy floor harp which I play on occasionally and the sound is of course superior, however besides the price it is not portable and takes up quite a bit of space too. Hope this helps
Lin
-
Hi,
From your experience with the Flatsicle, have you found any limitations to what you can play? I’m considering the Flatsicle and the Fullsicle. But I’m wondering if I really need all those levers.
Do you ever feel sorry that you don’t have more levers? Anything you couldn’t play because the levers weren’t there? I suspect the Flatsicle is more than enough. Please let me know.
-
Hi, I don’t really need the extra levers as I’m finding lots music out there that can be played on my flatsicle.
-
Hi Eileen… I too have a Flatsicle — and really have found no need for the extra levers.
Love this harp – I am starting to play again after 15 years flew by. As a senior the light weight is very important – so, extra levers would add a little weight too. I bought the stand — and really like it.
-
-
-
I also am in my mid 60’s and purchased a Fullsicle in December 2021. I also purchased the stand to hold it up while I play. We drove to Rising Sun, Indiana to check them out and left with a Fullsicle. I am enjoying learning from Christy-Lyn’s videos.
-
That’s wonderful. It would be great to be able to drive to the different harp manufacturers. I wish I could do that. I’m hoping to attend the Somerset Harp Festival next year, if they don’t impose vaccine mandates again. There we can see so many different harps from many different manufacturers.
-
I decided to expand and ordered a Lyon and Healy Ogden in Mahogany from the maker in Chicago and the process was easy. I ordered it June 28th and it will finally be delivered this week! I am super excited!!
-
Enjoy your new harp, and a very good one at that! Yes, it seems we all start out wanting to conserve our funds, and then end up buying more harps, and more expensive ones to boot!
-
Wow! Only 2 months! That’s fantastic. I ordered a tiny Triplett – 22-string Zephyr, and it will take 4 months. This will be my first “expensive” harp. Expensive in that it is made by a reputable company. Not expensive compared to 34-string harps.
-
It’s exciting anticipating the arrival!
-
To me it’s frustrating.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Hello,
I purchased a 26-string Ravenna through Vermont Violins and I really like it. It has a much better sound than a harpsicle – full bass, where the Harpsicle is a little weak in the lower notes. They (V.V.) have a payment plan interest-free over a year, so I didn’t have to pay all at once. It also comes with 12-inch legs – I don’t have to support the weight or buy a separate stand.
The Harpsicles are certainly cute – I wanted one for that reason alone, but I opted for sound quality.
-
Enjoy your new harp! So exciting. And how wonderful that they have a payment plan option. Most places want either full payment up front, or at least 50% down.
-
-
I have a sharpsicle which I LOVE, but I wish I had spent the extra $200 on getting the fullscicle.
At this point, being new, Id rather keep my harp In C major without tuning some keys like to G sharp for just one song etc. and then tune it back.
With that said, doing it really isnt hard to do,. but if only I had that lever LOL
Im 58 and have bad hips so its hard for me to lift alot. The Sharpscile is very lightweight and I keep it on the adjustable stand. I like that better than the stick. I plan on getting a Salvi Juno 27. I had toyed endlessly about the Mia, but weight and portability are an issue. So Ill have two hopefully soon <3
-
The title is a little funny. Harpsicles ARE harps. It’s just the name of the affordable and smaller line of harps made by Rees Harps. I did not want an expensive investment until I know if I enjoy the harp and have any aptitude for it, so I ordered a Flatsicle Harp which should be here in 4 more days. I realize it isn’t as full sounding, although you can buy strings from Harpsicle Harps for the lowest 4 notes to improve the bass sound a great deal. They’re $70 USD, so I am going to wait until I’ve paid my harp off in 3 months before spending more money. You can also add sharping levers later to have it fully levered or just more levers on G# for example, if you choose to upgrade a Sharpsicle/Flatsicle. Only their base model – the Harpsicle cannot have levers added later because of the lack of the needed pins for the levers to work. Harpsicles are easy to sell if I choose to upgrade it to a Ravenna 34, which would be what I want to upgrade it to, so the was another reason I felt like it was a good choice.
-
When I started learning the harp, I rented a lever harp. At the time, because I was just beginning to learn, I didn’t use the levers or change keys as everything I was learning was in C major. I then went on to buy a Harpsicle without levers (I couldn’t afford to buy a floor harp with levers at the time) but because I was still kind of learning the basics, I was happy with that. Then I wanted to start learning new songs that were in different keys and required lever changes and I eventually bought a floor harp. My Harpsicle worked well for me for nearly two years 😊 A Harpsicle is definitely worth considering. It’s really good they do the Sharpsicle and Fullsicle as well. I think whatever harp you feel you would benefit from the most and are happy with, go with that! 😃
-
My Flatsicle, bought in July 2021 – is now for SALE! I can say I truly enjoyed playing it and found it ideal for returning to the harp after many years of not playing. Once I established the ability to play again, I ordered and just received my new Marini Made Lap Harp. It is a step up with full levers and a pick-up installed. Of course, I don’t need two harps. The Flatsicle package with upgraded bass strings, full extra set of strings, handsome carrying bag, and adjustable stand has been priced about $400 less than the current retail @ $1,000 – a nice savings for anyone interested. It has been loved and cared for.
Happy Harpin’. ~wanda
-
Have you thought of buying a pre-owned harp? I’m 68, and am an absolute beginner. I was given a lap harp this summer, but then I fell in love with the sound of a floor harp. I looked at prices online and gasped.I started to rent one, but it wasn’t rent to own. Then I found a fb group called Sell or buy preowned harps. I found a Lyon and Healy Troubadour V for half the price of new. It was used by a harp teacher who kept it in excellent condition. You might want to consider getting a used one. What a cost savings! https://www.facebook.com/groups/137049252997735
facebook.com
Sell or buy pre owned harps | Facebook
Sell or buy second hand harps worldwide, international group. PREOWNED HARPS ONLY. Welcome to join!!
Log in to reply.