Teifi Harps

[Kathryn Boston]

YES! I’m in Cornwall in the U.K. and bought a Teifi Eos at the end of 2019. I worried about spending so much money but it is the best thing I ever did. I LOVE the beautiful rich tones and although the gut and wire strings take a bit of getting used to after nylon strings it is worth the effort. I am 73 now, so if my fingers can cope I’m sure anyone’s can. By the way, I named my harp Marguerite, as all the roadsides were full of these flowers when I went to visit the Teifi workshops. Where are you? I have since bought a lap harp too for taking around with me.

[Susan Suits]

I am in the US. I’ve seen tv shows about Cornwall and it just seems like a beautiful place! I hope to visit there one day. Cost is a factor for.me as well but I love the harelquin wood and the birds on the sound board! Sigh…….maybe soon

[Susan Suits]

Fforgot to mention. The Prelude I play has concert gut so that’s what I’m accustomed to. I love that rich tone!

[Ruth Beal]

I love my Siff Saff and can only imagine how wonderful the Eos will be for you! I live in the US and hope to visit the Teifi workshop someday.

[Susan Suits]

Workshop? Do tell! I need to check that out. I’ve never touched a Teifi just love the sound.

[Susan Suits]

II think think the Siff Saff has a beautiful tone as well! Did you find it in the US or straight from Teifi?

[Ruth Beal]

I bought it used from a little music store in Burlington,Vermont that used it as a rental. It was in great shape (although I didn’t know enough to recognize it at the time!). The owner of the shop didn’t have the gut strings that it needed and they were out of stock with the online store I found, so he put me in touch with the Teifi people in Wales. They were wonderful to work with. Good luck with making your decision!

[Kathryn Boston]

Hi Susan,

That’s funny, because my profile photo has to be so small you can’t see that I am actually sitting at my Eos with my little lap harp on my knee. The Eos is a harlequin, black walnut and ash, and the lap harp has the daisy flowers painted on the soundboard – I call it “Daisy” – of course. Happy harping.

[Susan Suits]

I just returned my rental Prelude….named Duchess and exchanged for a Lyon and Healy Ogden that I call Major Winchester. I’ve not come up with a name for my dream harp yet. I guess I will have to wait and see how she (or he) strikes me.

[JS Moir]

Hello – New to forum. I’m a College Music Professor (Voice) who took up the harp in my ‘old age’ (why does that sound so bizarre- We’re only in our mid-60’s! LOL) to sing and accompany myself, and maybe do some gigs, when I ‘retire’. (But- does ANY musician ever really ‘retire’?)

FWIW, I did a LOT of investigation on the Teifi harps, talking to the gentlemen over in Wales on numerous occasions, and lots of emails. I live in the USA, and even checked in with a Vermont Violin shop who used to carry them. Yes, I WANT an Eos with the Celtic Scroll in Harlequin so badly…. but a few things stopped me.

1) They (Teifi) are in… WALES! (there are so few ‘harp shops’ here in the USA, and we have some VERY good makers here… just sayin’)

2) Import duties would add substantially to the cost of the harp, and no one ever mentions that.

3) there is no US distributor, or shop to deal with the mechanics of Teifi’s unique (and beautiful) instruments. That also was a consideration- because, ‘you never know…’.

4) Shipping… it’s the Atlantic Ocean, people! LOL

I thought- well, I’ll wait until I can visit the UK again, and maybe find a USED instrument… (not subject to duty, but still needs shipping)…. and then, COVID.

So, I’m content with the harp(s) I have here in my little area, that I have gotten. Grass is always greener, they say…. (hope that helps)

[Susan Suits]

That has become my decision as well. Why venture across the pond when there are loverly harps in my back yard. Now I’m torn between L&H Prelude or a Dusty Strings FH36S. I think I just need to put all the harp makers in a hat and close my eyes and pick.