Help! I’ve never seen an Ogden.

[Victoria Johnson]

If you have an Allegro, you would have a pretty decent idea of what do expect from the Crescendo. I would expect a Crescendo to have a bigger and fuller sound than the Allegro because of the bigger size. I believe the Ogden uses gut strings and have a string tension closer to that of a pedal harp. That is probably the biggest difference between the Crescendo and the Ogden. Some people really like gut strings and the higher pension, some don’t care for it too much. I own a Crescendo and I really love it. It is very versatile, and the detachable legs are very helpful for transporting the harp (the harp is more compact to carry). The Crescendo was the first harp I purchased and I purchased it slight unseen. I have done a lot of research on the Internet though and watched a lot of different YouTube videos from different players. I have tried a number of harps at a local music school and various other places since, and I still have a lot of love for my Crescendo and it is the harp I play on the most. Harp choice is very personal. You may want to ask yourself why you are contemplating between the two harps and see if you can further narrow down the comparison. Good luck with your search!

[Jennifer Spriestersbach]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, narrowing down the reason to choose one over the other is a great idea. At the moment my biggest concern is the string tension and the sustain on the lower strings. I’ve heard the Crescendo has a long sustain and it can sometimes muddy quicker songs. I’m not in an area with a lot of harps and I’ve never had the opportunity to play a concert tension harp so I’m worried that the Ogden will be harder to play or will actually be painful on my fingers. My hands are not particularly delicate, I just have no idea what it can feel like. Do you find it’s a huge adjustment in your experience or does it just take a week or two and then the concert tension feels fine?

[Victoria Johnson]

I think the bass in the Crescendo is just right for fast piece. My Musicmakers Cheyenne has a much bigger base and I don’t tend to play quick pieces with it, but I do like using it when I play background music because it has such a big sound. The Crescendo very balanced, and I think you are going to find that there is always going to be some level of sustain as you go lower down the harp because that’s just the way the instrument works. Here is a video of me playing a piece with quite a lot going on the bass. Give it a listen and see what you think: https://youtu.be/6TOPPjJoc3Q

[Victoria Johnson]

Another piece where the bass strings are used quite often: https://youtu.be/UIrY3c7vAdw

It does take some learning to control the sustain on the harp, but it is something that can be learned and I think it is an essential skill to have. I play as a pedal harp as well and I personally found the string tension to be quite taxing on my hands compare to playing on a lever harp.

[Jennifer Spriestersbach]

This is really great information to have. Thank you for adding the example pieces. You play beautifully. I’m going to try to find someone with any concert tension harp to see but I am leaning toward the Crescendo now. L & H says it’ll be 3 months before they can produce an Ogden so I’ve got some time to deliberate in any case.

[Laura Bunch]

I’ve never played a Dusty Strings so I cannot compare. I have the Ogden’s big brother, the Troubadour VI. I used to have a smaller lap harp and found the sound to be more like a toy piano. I am drawn to the sound of the gut strings, so I love my Lyon & Healy. My teacher is a L & H only gal, having quite a few L&H pedal and lever harps. She is quite knowledgable about harps, so I value her opinion. So once I played her Troubadour, I decided to get one also. I figure if I ever decide to get a pedal harp (not in my plans at all right now), it will make an easier transition.

[Jennifer Spriestersbach]

Crazy story! A guitar shop in my state ended up with an Ogden a week ago and only just posted it online over the weekend. They couldn’t have known what they had because they listed it at $1000 less than what anyone else is selling it for so I drove the 2 hours one way to see it today. It was in excellent condition, the sound was beautiful and the tension was not too different to me at all. It is now in my house and I love it.

Thank you for all of the input. I was seriously leaning toward the Crescendo but this was too good to pass up.

[Theresa Camil]

Congratulations on your purchase. I have an Ogden and I love it. It has a beautiful sound and is beautifully made.

[Judiann]

How wonderful that you were looking in the right place at the right time to find that Ogden. It’s going to bring you years of enjoyment. 🎶

[Laura Bunch]

That’s fantastic! Congratulations on your new harp.