last updated 21 January 2009
Because New Zealand is a small country with not many harp players, and therefore not so many harp makers and retailers, I thought it might be useful to put together a series of reviews on the different harps available in our country. This would greatly help new harp players buy the best harp for them, as well as aid those looking to invest in more harps.
Please find below a few of the reviews I have managed to collect so far. Many thanks to those who have taken the time to complete the review form and send it back in to me.
WEBBY - CELTIC
Harp Maker – Kim Webby, 28 Cockburn Street, Whangarei , 09 436-0185
To buy new contact the harp maker
Reviewer’s Harp: 29 strings, Japanese oak, nylon strings from Kim Webby, wire strings from Vermont Strings, USA
Comments: “Fab little harp, so portable and beautiful sound”
Contact: Anna Dunwoodie annad@xtra.co.nz for more information or/and to view harp
WEBBY – MINSTREL
Harp Maker – Kim Webby (see above for contact details)
To buy new contact the harp maker
Reviewer’s Harp: 34 strings, various woods, strings from Kim Webby
Comments: “Beautiful appearance and sound”
Contact: Pip Ferguson ferguson@xtra.co.nz , 027 294-2296 for more information or/and to view harp
AMY - kitset
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison, Harps of the South, 196 St AndrewsRoad, Plimmerton, Wellington www.harps.co.nz
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 22 strings, plywood, strings Keith Harrison
Comments: “Great beginner’s and rental harp. Easy to put together. I got my brother to sand and paint harp professionally, however, you can do this yourself. Keith supplies sand paper as well as all parts; you can paint and customize the harp however you like! Sound is great for a plywood harp. Very light and portable; good size for children and travelling”
Contact: Nancy Brough nancy@harpmagic.co.nz ,03 322-4200 or 021 437-590 for more information and/or to view harp
KIRSTEN
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison (contact details as above)
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 35 strings, spruce/silverbeech/rata, strings K Harrison
Comments: “I like the evenness of tone, low notes sound great, keeps in tune. Also the wood and the shape looks beautiful. Check levers for ‘clicking’ when you lower them”
Contact: Pam Gordon 09 426-7032 for more information and/or to view harp
EMMA
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison (see above for contact details)
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 31 strings, poplar/rata/rewarewa, strings K Harrison
Comments: “I like tone, keeps its tuning. The strings don’t break often, only one in six years!” “Quite bright in the upper register, but some harpists may like this”
Contact: Pam Gordon 09 426-7032 for more information and/or to view harp
ELIZABETH
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison (see above for contact details)
To buy new see website
Owner’s Harp: 39 strings, American walnut, gut strings, strings K Harrison
Contact: Dale Buckendahl , tisdale@xtra.co.nz for information and/or to view harp
TARA MacFALL
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison (see above for contact details)
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 36 strings, oak/ash./spruce, strings K Harrison, Vermont Strings, USA
Comments: “I like her rich, deep bell-like voice and celtic carvings. Heavy weight due to oak”
Contact: Gill Caradoc-Davies gill2007@orcon.net.nz, 03 478-0080 for more information and/or to view harp
XENA – lever harp
Harp Maker – Keith Harrison (see above for contact details)
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 39 strings, maple/walnut/spruce, strings K Harrison, Vermont Strings, USA www.robinsonharp.com
Comments: “Looks attractive, beautifully crafted. Seems to sound better with age. Sound seems better from middle C up; still getting used to lower octaves. Not easy to transport. Would need a trolley system”
Contact: Sue McCrystal 09 418-2702 for more information and/or to view harp
JOHN BLOUNT– 29 string
Harp Maker – John Blount, jovalblount@yahoo.com, 09 407-8799
To buy new contact harp maker
Reviewer’s Harp: 29 strings, French oak/Baltic birch plywood, strings K Harrison
Comments: “Light colour, strong volume but soft tone. Quite heavy”
Contact: Tobi Roxane Martin,116 E. Sandspit Rd, Waiuku 2123,027 240-2543 for more information and/or to view harp
JOHN BLOUNT– REGENCY
Harp Maker – John Blount (see above for contact details)
To buy new contact harp maker
Reviewer’s Harp: 34 strings, English oak, strings K Harrison
Comments: “Bass strings are gorgeous-like a Paraguayan harp. It’s very heavy, and wide at the top end of sound box. Needs a little trimming down. John’s harps are consistently fabulous”
Contact: Anna Dunwoodie, anna.d@xtra.co.nz, 09 626-2442 for more information and/or to view harp
TARA
Harp Maker – Tara Harps, Ireland, www.taraharps.ie
To buy new see website
Reviewer’s Harp: 34 strings, black walnut /mahogany /cedar, strings – Alan Parkinson?
Comments: “I love the wood, the feel of it against my face, the tone. It’s just a beautiful harp”
Contact: Lyn Griffiths lynandgeorge@clear.net.nz, 3 Golden Stairs Rd, RD 3, Maungaturoto 0589 for more information or/and to view harp
PARA-CELTIC harp
Self-Build – Design Andy Rigby, arharp2002@yahoo.com.au
To make one yourself contact reviewer or Hagley Community College, Christchurch 03 379-3090
Reviewer’s Harp: 26 strings, plywood/beech/mahogany, strings K Harrison
Comments: “I love the sound, very overtone rich, the size (small, it’s light and self made, so can vary the design”
Contact: Gabriella Malik, belemalik@yahoo.co.nz, 03 337-8004 for more information and/or to view harp
AZILIZ lever harp
Harp Maker – Camac, France www.camac-harps.com
Reviewer’s Harp: 34 strings, Maple/beech/spruce, carbon fibre strings,strings Camac, France
Comments: “Love the resonance for its size, also the tone – mellower than nylon strings but ‘brighter’ than gut”
Contact: Louise Warren, annalouisewarren@yahoo.co.uk, 03 329-3254 for more information and/or to view harp
AOYAMA Irish Harp
Harp Maker – Aoyama, Japan, via www.lewiseady.co.nz
Reviewer #1’s Harp: 34 strings, maple/walnut/spruce, strings Lewis Eadys, Auckland
Comments: “Gets better with age, heavy but portable. Can be put in back seat of car as legs can come off. Lower strings don’t sound as nice as the rest”
Contact: Nancy Brough, nancy@harpmagic.co.nz, 03 322-4200 for more information and/or to view harp
Reviewer #2’s Harp: 34 strings, wood(probably as above), strings Lewis Eadys, Auckland
Comments: “I most love the way it sounds. Would like it to be lighter, and it looks a little awkward perched on a 3 leg tripod. It looks prettier on the floor, but is harder to sit at so low down”
Contact: Rhyn Gabriel, rhyn@orcon.net.nz, 09 279-2563 for more information and/or to view harp
MEGHAN Lap Harp
Harp Maker – Rees Morgan www.harpsicleharps.com
Reviewer’s Harp: 27 strings, American walnut, strings from manufacturer Rees Morgan
Comments: “Comes with a lap stick which makes it very easy to keep the harp in place while playing and you don’t need to worry about the height of your seat. The Camac levers are smooth and easy to flip. The harp is beautifully made and the sound is strong and beautiful, which is surprising for such a small instrument.” You can choose your own decoration and can buy it with a padded bag to protect it”
Contact: Dale Buckendahl tisdale@xtra.co.nz, for more information and/or to view harp
PILGRIM HARPS - ASHDOWN MODEL CLARSACH
Harp Maker – Pilgrim Harps, United Kingdom, www.pilgrimharps.co.uk
To buy new contact the harp maker
Reviewer’s Harp: 34 strings, kit set, strings from Pilgrim Harps
Comments: “Having made it with my husband - it is special and one of the few things we brought out from the UK. It has a lovely sound”
Contact: No details left, however I would recommend visiting the website if you’re interested
