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Loveland Levers – are they so terrible?
How terrible are Loveland levers? My dream harp is a Dusty Strings Crescendo with Camac levers. Ordering ‘new’ is just a bit beyond my price range, especially considering the final price is unknowable until the harp is ready six months from now. The price may go up drastically, and I’d lose my deposit if I cancel anytime before then and now, BUT! I have found two used harps, both in excellent condition – either of which I can purchase now at a set price. Only problem is they both have Loveland levers. I do not intend to play professionally. If you were me, would you wait for the Camac with all the uncertainties, or go with the Loveland? Any advice is appreciated! Thank you,
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12 Replies
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I paid the extra to put Camac levers on my Crescendo, and I am very happy with that decisions still having owned the harp for almost four years. I have a couple of friends with Loveland levers on their harps, and they said the markings for the Cs and Fs are not very clear. Many of them ended up adding extra things such as shrink wraps to mark the C and F levers. I don’t own a harp with Loveland levers so I can’t do a comparison, but I will say that the Camac levers are a dream to shift! I don’t play professional either, though I play a lot of music with lever changes in the middle of the piece. I want my levers to go up and down smoothly and easily, and I am very happy with how well the Camac levers work!
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I will be the lone voice in favor of Loveland levers, especially considering the price difference. If you play music with a lot of lever flipping for accidentals, then the Camac might be worth the extra investment. Since I play mostly Celtic music with few accidentals, the Loveland have been fine.
These lever caps have made a huge difference in ease of use on my Ravenna 34. However, they were not easy to install on the newer-style Loveland levers. There’s a good explanation about the “very tight fit” on this page: https://www.harpcenter.com/product/vinyl_loveland_lever_caps/harp-accessories-1
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Thank you, Ladies! I very much appreciate everyone’s input. I can afford the Camac levers – especially if I use the Rent to Own program. The main issue is the company I inquired through would like an un-refundable deposit NOW for a new harp that won’t be delivered until May, without guaranteeing the final cost of the harp itself. Their verbiage to me in an e-mail said “due to potential, drastic price increases in the cost of goods’. That made me balk a little. What if the overall price increases by $1K? If such happens, I cannot get my deposit back – though I could apply it toward something else in their shop. My other option with them is to rent/buy one of their slightly used Crescendos – available now for a set price – but both have Loveland’s. I prefer Camac, but a new harp sounds like a big question mark. They also want $450 for shipping, plus another $450 up front for return shipping in case I decide to return it rather than buy it after four months. Does that sound right? Average? Hmmmm. No idea. They are a reputable company. There are no harp shops anywhere near where I live, so I like the idea of renting one then buying it over time if I like it. Lots to consider! Very much appreciate your comments. Happy Friday!
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My first harp was a Dusty Strings FH26, top of the line for this harp made from bubinga. A beautiful small harp with Loveland levers. I had not heard anything then about the different lever brands, but I thought they were great. I currently have Camac levers on a cherry FH36 and I think they are great, too. I think if you played the different kind of levers all in the same hour and could compare, you might have a preference, but I think they are all good, they just have a different feel, but you get used to the ones you have. Dusty Strings does not put anything “second-class” on any harp they sell. 😁
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Thank you again, Ladies. All excellent feedback, and good questions I should be asking, too. In the meantime, an entirely new opportunity has presented itself on my harp journey; a barely used Stoney End Double Strung Cherry Brittany, with Camac levers on the Cs, Gs and Fs. This is an entirely different experience than what I had in mind, but I am drawn to this little harp and the possibilities for play and experimentation that two sets of 22 strings offers. It also has a pickup and tons of extra goodies. At $1850, it seems an excellent bargain – also something I can buy outright rather than finance. I will be heading out in the morning for a 2.5 hour drive to see it! I will still consider a Crescendo as my dream harp – and may order one still, yes – directly from Dusty if/when I do, and also continue my lessons on my current harp – but I think the Stoney End will satiate my desire to simply have a quality instrument for now. My only experience has been with the 29 string Pakistani Roosebeck I bought a year ago. It is okay, has held up very well and I can still learn with it – but I long for the tones one can only get with a good quality instrument of any size. I am very excited for the adventure tomorrow. It is rare any harp comes up for sale in south Florida! Well, not entirely true – Miami is big on the Paraguayan style, but that is not what my heart wants. My heritage long ago is Scots and Irish! The little Stoney End feels just about right for now. Wish me luck! God bless and thanks again so much… Shannon
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Good luck! 🙂
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Are Reese levers good
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Agreed. When special ordering a new harp, it is worth paying a reasonable amount extra to upgrade to Camac. However, Shannon is comparing the cost of a used harp with Loveland levers to the same model new harp with Camac, and that difference can be substantial. In my case, the cost difference was over $1,400.
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Hi Titia! I bought it! Also the cute little amplifier she had to go with it. It is so, so precious – just wonderful. Have been tinkering with it for a couple of days now. The main thing right off the bat is learning how to see both sets of strings. Such is far more disorienting than I imagined, but already I am getting used to it. It will take a little time. I think one may have to rely on muscle memory of hand shapes and use intuition a bit more for the right side because one cannot see clearly through the cage of strings on the left. You should definitely try one! 😀
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That’s exciting, Shannon. What a fun learning experience. I’ve never played double strung, but one tip Anne Crosby Gaudet shared is to navigate by the colored strings. She started on her double strung by playing tunes in the key of F Major, which uses a lot of red and blue strings.
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Thank you! Yes, I have – mostly the content put out by Carolyn Deal at this point. Both ladies are amazing! If I can, I shall become a Patreon. The lady I met and bought the harp from (via a harp community on Facebook) also set me up with loads of sheet music, and the names of everyone she knows who might be of help as I learn. The harp community feels so giving and generous – and actually somewhat small and intimate considering it’s international nature. Seems everyone wants to share a good thing! Hopefully once I am more knowledgeable I can pay it forward. The world needs more harpers. Ha ha. My best to you! S.
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Thank you so much for the tip! Will keep that in mind. So much to learn! <3
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