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Lyon & Healy Drake (34 strings)
Hey everyone! Since the Drake has not been on the market for long, many people have not yet had the chance to try it out. I’ve been getting a lot of questions on Facebook about my Drake, so although I’m not a harp expert, I thought I’d share some of my opinions here.
About the Drake: It’s a lever harp with 34 strings. The lowest note is the C two octaves below middle C. It has low tension and is strung with a new type of bio-carbon string (made of sugarcane). The lowest octave is strung with Bow Brand wire strings.
The harp is relatively lightweight, but not extremely light, at 10kg (22 pounds).
I really like the tone of the Drake. It has a strong and resonant bass, a strong and clear yet mellow sound in the middle range, and clear and bright sound in the higher range.
If you are planning to move on to a pedal harp later, this might not be the harp for you because of the light tension. Personally, I’m not planning to do that, and I really like the fact that it is lightly strung. The only drawback that’s been slightly inconveniencing me is that the lowest bio-carbon strings are much “floppier” than the wire strings just below, so I have to be careful to avoid buzzing when I play those strings. The resonance of the lower strings can also sometimes continue for a little too long, so it’s sometimes necessary to mute them.
Another small note on the colour of the harp: It is currently available in three finishes – Natural, Mahogany, and two-tone Natural&Burgundy. The Burgundy coloured harp is spectacular, which is why it’s in all the ads. The colour looks extremely vivid in photographs and videos, but when you’re close enough, you can see the natural grain of the wood through the colour finish, which I love. Again, I noticed a minor drawback after I bought my own burgundy model: The colour of the column almost exactly matches the colour of the metal C strings, so they can be quite difficult to see. 🧐
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If you have any questions that I haven’t answered, feel free to ask!
If you have a Drake and disagree with my assessment, or want to add your own, please do so! I’m always curious to hear everyone else’s opinions!
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21 Replies
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Thank you for the review!💐
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Thanks! It is always special to learn of a new harp and the new owner’s experience with it. I hadn’t heard of the Drake before.
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Thank you for sharing your experience with your Drake harp. I’ve seen posts/ads about it, and have been curious. I currently have a Fullsicle, but am saving up for a 34 or 36 string harp. I’ve been reading about different makes of harps, but it’s difficult to make choices when I don’t live near a harp store where I could go and try them out in person. I’m glad you are enjoying your Drake – it looks amazing in the photos I’ve seen online!
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I have driven over 2 hours each way twice to play the Drake at our local Salvi shop. I love the sound and feel of it. However I have fallen in love with the Una, but neither the Drake or the Una is lighter than my Dusty Crescendo 34. I have been looking for a lighter harp about 18#. I also love the Camac Ulyesses. However the price tag is intimidating. I have been thinking of a Thormahlen Ceili due to its weight but the strings are a little closer together— not sure how that would work with my “mature” fingers LOL.
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Have you checked out the Musicmakers Jolie Hybrid harp? It is only 33 strings but with carbon fiber reinforcement weighs only 13#.
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Diane, I have a harpsicle and thinking about a fullsicle to get the levers. I like the portability as I will be traveling quite a bit over the next year. Do you like it or should I go for 34 string Ravenna or Drake?
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Hi, Donna!
I haven’t had any experience playing on other harps, so I can’t honestly compare the Ravenna or Drake with the Fullsicle. I do like my Fullsicle because it is very easy to transport from place to place and my “end goal” is to use it at work, playing bedside for residents from room to room, and portability is a big plus. I am saving for a bigger harp – I’d like at least 34 or 36 strings – and I’d also like a better quality harp, but for now, I’m happy with my Fullsicle. I will say, I didn’t know about the SE Fullsicle in cherry wood. My Fullsicle is just a regular one that someone was selling on Facebook, and I bought at a pretty reasonable price. I’m wondering if the harps made from cherry wood would have a better sound, or if they’d sound the same? My Fullsicle has a brighter sound than my Harpsicle, but I like the sound of both. I wish I could help more, and if you have any other questions, I’m happy to try to answer them.
Diane
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I have a SE Fullsicle in cherry. It has a beautiful sound and I absolutely love it! I do think it sounds richer than the maple Fullsicle. There are several videos on YouTube so you can hear the sound. Some of Christy-Lyn’s videos show hers. I know everyone uses different recording equipment but it might help to give some idea?
I will say that would like to have a full size harp at some point to play some more complex songs but I’m quite happy with my Fullsicle. I don’t see me ever getting tired of it.
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Thank you Amanda. The fullsicle manufacturer is local to me but unfortunately they do not have a fullsicle available to try. I am traveling to Atlanta to try several harps. At this point, the Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 is top of the list.
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Thank you for the review! I actually decided to get a Drake and it’s coming in the mail tomorrow!
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Yay! Let us know when it arrives!😃
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Katharina, I’m very happy I found your review about the Drake. I’m just looking out for a 34 string harp because sooner or later I will need one since I have only harps with 26/27 strings. I thought about Christy-Lyn’s Odgen first, but I want a harp with light tension and I think the Odgen might be too much for me. I play a lot and I also need my fingers for knitting. I can’t afford any injuries. The Drake looks sooo good, especially the burgundy. Are you still happy with it? I saw your videos on youtube and it sounds really really nice!
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I’m still very happy with it! I love the look and the sound, and I haven’t found any more drawbacks than the minor things I mentioned in my first review. Of course when it comes to the feel and sound of a harp, preferences of different harp players are very personal, but it suits me perfectly.
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That sounds good. Thanks for your answer Katharina. I think I will go for it then. I read there is a discount for the Drake until the end of the year. Maybe I can take a trip to a harp dealer. But the nearest one is more than 200 km to drive. I’ll see. But your review and your youtube videos helped me a lot.
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Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge on the Drake. Have you ever played a Dusty String Ravenna 34? If so, in your opinion how do they match up?
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I am getting ready to buy a 34 string harp, upgrading from my SE Fullsicle. I find it to be VERY floppy in the lowest octave, but I have gotten used to it. The Drake is very high on my list, but your comment about the change from the carbon strings to the wire strings in the lowest octave is a bit concerning. Is it very floppy or just floppy in contrast to that lowest octave? Also, would you be willing to measure the string spacing for each octave (C-C) so I can get an idea? Their website does not list that. Thank you for your time and very detailed review!
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It’s only the direct contrast between the two materials, and I’ve grown quite used to it in the meantime!
I’ve also had the chance to try out a harpsicle harp since I wrote that review, and the harpsicle strings are a lot floppier than any of the Drake’s strings.
The Drake comes fully levered. I’m still very happy with it.
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When I asked about levers, I meant what type, but I have since found the answer online. Do you like the action of their levers? The Drake is now #1 on my list, followed by Dusty Strings Ravenna and Salvi Mia.
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…also, what levers does it come with?
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I purchased my Drake harp in February 2022 and love it! I chose the burgundy color.
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The burgundy is absolutely gorgeous. And I love the funky soundbox. It’s very unique looking! If I end up with the Drake (which is #1 on my list now thanks to you all), I will definitely get the burgundy one.
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