Thank you for this comparison video. I have a 22 string harp that I bought about 12 years ago secondhand. It is a rosewood harp made in Pakistan. I visited a harp shop a few months after buying the 22 string harp and had the privilege of trying the Ravenna 34 - and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I lost my husband in 2011 and the following year had a nasty accident and badly broke my wrist. I hadn't touched the harp until last night and my interest has taken off again. The Ravenna 34 is right at the top of my wish list.
@@MusicalMollyKhan Thank you for your kind words Molly. Music is such a wonderful thing, especially in these difficult times. I'm fortunate that I also play piano - been playing piano for nearly 60 years. Went back to music lessons after a break of 40 years and I'm now practicing for my Grade 7 whenever that will take place as the exams have been postponed for now. Taking up the harp again (even if it is only a small one) is a nice challenge and diversion from the piano. I will get a Ravenna 34 in the (hopefully) not too distant future.
I couldn't agree with you more. The Ravenna 34 is a beautiful harp with Dusty Strings beautiful sound and feel. I have the harpsicle fullsicle harps not happy with them. But my Ravenna 34 is just what I love and expect from Dusty Strings. Thanks for doing this vid. I wonder what mikel harps sound like. No thanks I will just stay with my Ravenna 34.
The Mikel sounds like what I would expect of a harp from a movie. Granted your high C string is slightly flat (sounding more like a B natural than a C). The Ravenna 34 (which is what I have purchased and can't wait to actually get to play) sounds more rich in sound quality than the Mikel or the Harpsicle imho.
That Mickel is a very nice sounding harp, it has sort of a nice harmonic series in the box. I wish my fingers addressed the strings as neatly as yours, but i get to do lots of scales to get there. The fullsickle sounds very bright to my ear and would be nice for music where you wanted the additional brightness.
Thank you for the review. I’m 2 yrs in. My harp is a full sickle walnut se. I wish I could have heard more comments about how I might have wanted more in a short period of time. In my 1st song to learn, I knew I wanted more strings. Currently, i think for me a 36 string lever reach may be clumsy. But maybe not a 34. I would love to hear a Ravenna 34 compared to a Jolie. I did find a review comparing Ravenna 34 to ballad..
I built mine from Robinson's plans of the Irish harp and upped the size of soundboard and its a bit taller. It is 30 strings. It sounds more like an orchestra harp. I tend to like some Celtic harps that sounds more like a pedal harp. On this video, I choose, like you, Ravenna 34
Funny enough I am in the process of buying a Ravenna 34 after having a Fullsicle. I call it a Flopsicle. It's SO floppy that I find it to be more straining on the hands in the lower range, definitely not easier. Also it's difficult to get a clean tone from the lower strings. And I have a SE Fullsicle with the wound strings on the lowest 4 strings and it does not help at all. Super floppy.
Thank you for this comparison - I haven't played anything but a 22 string folk harp for a *long* time and have decided it's time to get back... but not on that lil guy. This tells me I won't be able to compromise with a harpsicle.
The resonance of the first harp was incredible. Beautiful. Warm bass. I find myself wondering after watching several of your videos, if there is an instrument you feel is your primary instrument?
It shifts around, but for the last year and a half I've been focusing mostly improving my harp playing. For many years in high school and college flute was my main instrument though 😊
I worry that many a would be harp player will never get to experience a good harp Either you have to be rich or save for many a year to have one. In the saving time , the person is either playing a bad quality one which is discouraging, or the time which is long to save one wastes valuable time they could have spent on a good but expensive.. These 3 harps give hope for many a person to learn Their prices are rising though and soon will be in the rich person's bracket.
Many of the 22 string harps I know of were made in Pakistan, and those are generally really low quality unfortunately :(. Stoney End makes beautiful 22 string harps. I've heard good things about Vavra Harps, they're made in America and not too expensive (though I can't get the pricing to come up right now for some reason). www.vavraharp.com/celtic-honey-22
@@MusicalMollyKhan ty. I just saw a video of a harpist playing a 36 string (I think) from Pakistan. It sounded amazing. You have a crossover harp too, right? How are you learning to play it? I was looking at a couple of them too. Lolz. Decisions!
Thank you for this comparison video. I have a 22 string harp that I bought about 12 years ago secondhand. It is a rosewood harp made in Pakistan. I visited a harp shop a few months after buying the 22 string harp and had the privilege of trying the Ravenna 34 - and fell in love with it. Unfortunately, I lost my husband in 2011 and the following year had a nasty accident and badly broke my wrist. I hadn't touched the harp until last night and my interest has taken off again. The Ravenna 34 is right at the top of my wish list.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find one soon - they are absolutely gorgeous harps!
@@MusicalMollyKhan Thank you for your kind words Molly. Music is such a wonderful thing, especially in these difficult times. I'm fortunate that I also play piano - been playing piano for nearly 60 years. Went back to music lessons after a break of 40 years and I'm now practicing for my Grade 7 whenever that will take place as the exams have been postponed for now. Taking up the harp again (even if it is only a small one) is a nice challenge and diversion from the piano. I will get a Ravenna 34 in the (hopefully) not too distant future.
I couldn't agree with you more. The Ravenna 34 is a beautiful harp with Dusty Strings beautiful sound and feel. I have the harpsicle fullsicle harps not happy with them. But my Ravenna 34 is just what I love and expect from Dusty Strings. Thanks for doing this vid. I wonder what mikel harps sound like. No thanks I will just stay with my Ravenna 34.
I think the mikel is nice for weddings and to be displayed but the Ravenna is so rich in sound. Hard to beat for a smaller harp.
It does have a nice look! The Ravenna is so beautiful though 🥰
I'm salivating over that Ravenna. I've wanted it for a few years now.
It's such a gorgeous harp. I honestly recommend it as anyone's "one" harp, it's that versatile and beautiful.
The Mikel sounds like what I would expect of a harp from a movie. Granted your high C string is slightly flat (sounding more like a B natural than a C).
The Ravenna 34 (which is what I have purchased and can't wait to actually get to play) sounds more rich in sound quality than the Mikel or the Harpsicle imho.
That Mickel is a very nice sounding harp, it has sort of a nice harmonic series in the box. I wish my fingers addressed the strings as neatly as yours, but i get to do lots of scales to get there. The fullsickle sounds very bright to my ear and would be nice for music where you wanted the additional brightness.
The Revenna is definitely my favorite of the three and on my wishlist. I have a fullsicle right now and like it.
It's such a beautiful harp! You won't be disappointed if you get one :)
Thank you for helping me see the differences in sound.
Great video. I own a Dusty strings Allegro and I was looking at buying the Mikel 38. Now I know... stick with Dusty Strings.
Thank you! Absolutely stick with Dusty Strings, they sound Amazing :D
Thank you for the review. I’m 2 yrs in. My harp is a full sickle walnut se. I wish I could have heard more comments about how I might have wanted more in a short period of time. In my 1st song to learn, I knew I wanted more strings. Currently, i think for me a 36 string lever reach may be clumsy. But maybe not a 34. I would love to hear a Ravenna 34 compared to a Jolie. I did find a review comparing Ravenna 34 to ballad..
Ah now I am getting one of the answers to my questions I left in the other Ravenna video. Thanks
I built mine from Robinson's plans of the Irish harp and upped
the size of soundboard and its a bit taller. It is 30 strings. It sounds more like an orchestra harp. I tend to like some Celtic harps that sounds more like a pedal harp. On this video, I choose, like you, Ravenna 34
Beautiful!
Funny enough I am in the process of buying a Ravenna 34 after having a Fullsicle. I call it a Flopsicle. It's SO floppy that I find it to be more straining on the hands in the lower range, definitely not easier. Also it's difficult to get a clean tone from the lower strings. And I have a SE Fullsicle with the wound strings on the lowest 4 strings and it does not help at all. Super floppy.
Very cool. I've never played a harp (one of the few string instruments I haven't played) but this made me want one.
Thank you! It's actually remarkably easy to learn and has been so much fun!
@@MusicalMollyKhan That's good to hear. I may need to try it one of these days. Thanks for the reviews.
Thank you for this comparison - I haven't played anything but a 22 string folk harp for a *long* time and have decided it's time to get back... but not on that lil guy. This tells me I won't be able to compromise with a harpsicle.
I'm glad to help 😊
Thank you for the comparison. 🎶
Welcome!
The resonance of the first harp was incredible. Beautiful. Warm bass.
I find myself wondering after watching several of your videos, if there is an instrument you feel is your primary instrument?
It shifts around, but for the last year and a half I've been focusing mostly improving my harp playing. For many years in high school and college flute was my main instrument though 😊
Oh the Ravenna sounds so angelic
Yes! It's such a gorgeous instrument :)
The Dusty Strings Ravenna is my favorite.
It is such a beautiful harp! 😊
I love the recella38. Amazing sound. I could only afford a Fireside harp i put together myself.
The Firesides are nice too! I hope you enjoy it 😊
Hey, I'm curios about how did the Mikel 38 hold up throughout the years? 😊
I worry that many a would be harp player will never get to experience a good harp Either you have to be rich or save for many a year to have one. In the saving time , the person is either playing a bad quality one which is discouraging, or the time which is long to save one wastes valuable time they could have spent on a good but expensive.. These 3 harps give hope for many a person to learn Their prices are rising though and soon will be in the rich person's bracket.
I definitely want a Ravenna 34 in a few years
Yes! They are amazing harps, especially for the price 😊
Beautiful! Have you tried the Celtic harps? 22 strings Looking for a harp and wondering.
Many of the 22 string harps I know of were made in Pakistan, and those are generally really low quality unfortunately :(.
Stoney End makes beautiful 22 string harps. I've heard good things about Vavra Harps, they're made in America and not too expensive (though I can't get the pricing to come up right now for some reason). www.vavraharp.com/celtic-honey-22
@@MusicalMollyKhan ty. I just saw a video of a harpist playing a 36 string (I think) from Pakistan. It sounded amazing. You have a crossover harp too, right? How are you learning to play it? I was looking at a couple of them too. Lolz. Decisions!
Thank you 🎶❤️🎶
The ravenna all the way no match
I agree, it's a wonderful harp! 😊
Were they all gut or nylon? Thankyou
All nylon strings on this harp, the lower octave is wire though.
@@MusicalMollyKhan thankyou very much
I want an Ogden
I love the look of the Ogden! I think the tension would be a bit too much for me though.
100% agree
Ahh the Irish harp 🇮🇪make me so proud to be Irish 😁
It's such a gift to the world! 😊
mikel 38 sound like bad and not loudly
It's definitely not my favorite.
Hello Molly, You make great videos. Please can I contact you via email?
Thanks