A 'thuddy sound.' Boy, was THAT ever true! I bought a L&H Troub back in the day, and then it sat in my house, for almost twenty years, while I did my Doctorate, and we had kids. I thought my daughter would want to study harp. Nope. So, until I started really learning to play harp my Troub sat in its cover. It didn't bust a string, or anything. They are TANKS. But, by then, I couldn't STAND the sound- especially after playing my teacher's harp at her house- even after changing all the strings. I finally sold the Troub,, and found a used Salvi Diana at a reasonable price, and now? It's Harp HEAVEN. So, yeah. This is a nice mid-point alternative, and will lead into pedal for many kids. And, thanks for the review.
I have been looking with great interest at the Mikel harps, especially this model and a 38-string that's almost identical. I saw on the company's website that they were less in price, though - about $1500, which would be a lot more doable than $3500, tbh. Do you know if they have any distributors in the US? It would probably be easier to get it in-country than shipping it from overseas, I would think. And yes, it *is* a lovely harp, especially with that concert harp curvature!🥰😍
Would you spent a minute please to look at my question? Very nice offer. I can't afford a large salvi ana or Lyon lever harp with 40 strings but this one is already more affordable for me and I could make my dream come true this summer. Could I ask. I was told by a dealer at a musical instrument store that if I found out after receiving a harp shipment that the harp was out of tune or out of warranty, what do you think. Can I count on this to serve me when I order it? Thank you very much for your reply. And thank you for this inspiring and hopeful video. I saw it a month ago, but I'm increasingly interested in getting a harp. Pavel from Europe, Czech Republic.
Mikel Harp Review 7/31/23 (40 Strings) The harp itself is beautiful, mostly from a distance as the finish is poorly applied. I'm not complaining; you get what you pay for and I made a bad choice choosing a Blue finish and expecting it to look smooth and one single tone of blue all over. I should have went with a natural finish, painting is not within Mikel's skill set, but I didn't know that ahead of time. Finish is bubbly and inconsistent in color. . . I stared at it for a while, thinking of how I could remove the finish completely without damaging it. . . I don't know, so I'll leave it. Try to get use to it, let it grow on me. The carrying bag that came included with the harp in the description was the reason I purchased the harp in the first place -value for your money. That was what pushed me to buy it on eBay rather than directly through their website where the carrying bag is a separate fee. However, it appears the item description from the seller is misleading, it says "Weighing 15.8kg and coming with it's own carrying bag to enable transport" . . . How else was I supposed to interpret that sentence? When people say "I am coming with you" that means they go together, it's a package deal. . . It's okay, I brought some cargo blankets from Amazon to sew together and make my own harp case but the whole reason I went for this product was because it was an all inclusive deal. Honestly, I just got it home a few hours ago and the customs/ cargo/ brokerage process was an extended nightmare, such that I am too tired after all of that to tune it and hear what it sounds like. So, as yet I don't know. I hope it sounds as bright and full as reviews say. . . As long as no one stands too close while I'm playing; it will look like a picture of beauty. I'm not beating up on Mikel, I am as happy as can be expected when purchasing an instrument sight unseen. It's fine. . . I did this to myself. I'm an adult, no one made me buy this. It is what it is.
Can someone help me, I'm having a hard time choosing whether to buy the prelude 40 or tulip 40. I know both are good but is there a major difference or is it just the brand name?
It’s about budget and function. Prelude is a name brand and beautiful harp with amazing wood and if you have 5-7k and you don’t want a pedal harp this is the go-to harp. If you have a budget, if you are ok with lighter tension strings and lighter wood then this is a good alternative. You can email me if you want more information
@KristalAngelicHarp does lighter tension strings mean the sound will be different or is that just feel of the string? Also does lighter wood mean lighter sound? Does the prelude have more powerful sound?
@@KristalAngelicHarp This is an all wood harp! Even the soundboard is solid wood (spruce), covered with a thin layer of veneer from the outside. Only the rounded body is laminate, but it's quite decent quality. You could only complain about the thick polyurethane finish, which is plastic indeed. If I had this harp I'd scrape the lacquer off and refinish the whole instrument with a couple of thin layers of shellac. The maker is a now well-known Pakistani maker with a growing reputation. Their objective is to make the harp an affordable instrument. Not an easy task in this world, and we must respect their commitment.
A 'thuddy sound.' Boy, was THAT ever true! I bought a L&H Troub back in the day, and then it sat in my house, for almost twenty years, while I did my Doctorate, and we had kids. I thought my daughter would want to study harp. Nope. So, until I started really learning to play harp my Troub sat in its cover. It didn't bust a string, or anything. They are TANKS. But, by then, I couldn't STAND the sound- especially after playing my teacher's harp at her house- even after changing all the strings. I finally sold the Troub,, and found a used Salvi Diana at a reasonable price, and now? It's Harp HEAVEN. So, yeah. This is a nice mid-point alternative, and will lead into pedal for many kids. And, thanks for the review.
Awesome ! This was amazing. Keep uploading more such videos.
Wonderful video with valuable information.
Nice review! Thank you! You are a brilliant harpist.👍❤️
Very informative! What is the name of the piece you were playing towards the end of the video?
I have been looking with great interest at the Mikel harps, especially this model and a 38-string that's almost identical. I saw on the company's website that they were less in price, though - about $1500, which would be a lot more doable than $3500, tbh. Do you know if they have any distributors in the US? It would probably be easier to get it in-country than shipping it from overseas, I would think. And yes, it *is* a lovely harp, especially with that concert harp curvature!🥰😍
What a nice objective review !
Great video. Thank you.
Do you think BioCarbon Nylon would help get rid of the tinny tone in the 2nd octave my ears are detecting? Thanks for the review too!
You know just using a thicker gage string helps. Sometimes just one string lower used for the tiny notes.
Would you spent a minute please to look at my question?
Very nice offer. I can't afford a large salvi ana or Lyon lever harp with 40 strings but this one is already more affordable for me and I could make my dream come true this summer. Could I ask. I was told by a dealer at a musical instrument store that if I found out after receiving a harp shipment that the harp was out of tune or out of warranty, what do you think. Can I count on this to serve me when I order it? Thank you very much for your reply. And thank you for this inspiring and hopeful video. I saw it a month ago, but I'm increasingly interested in getting a harp. Pavel from Europe, Czech Republic.
Hello, please email me at bayareaharpacademy@ gmail
Happy to try to answer questions
Never buy an instrument via mail order. You must be able to try first then decide.
Oh wow. I never had any idea that the troubadours sounded that dead inside😳
Have you tried the 34 and or the 36 Mikel harps?
No, I haven’t yet.
Great Video, thanks for that💫💫💫
very informative video,
Mikel Harp Review 7/31/23 (40 Strings)
The harp itself is beautiful, mostly from a distance as the finish is poorly applied. I'm not complaining; you get what you pay for and I made a bad choice choosing a Blue finish and expecting it to look smooth and one single tone of blue all over. I should have went with a natural finish, painting is not within Mikel's skill set, but I didn't know that ahead of time. Finish is bubbly and inconsistent in color. . . I stared at it for a while, thinking of how I could remove the finish completely without damaging it. . . I don't know, so I'll leave it. Try to get use to it, let it grow on me.
The carrying bag that came included with the harp in the description was the reason I purchased the harp in the first place -value for your money. That was what pushed me to buy it on eBay rather than directly through their website where the carrying bag is a separate fee. However, it appears the item description from the seller is misleading, it says "Weighing 15.8kg and coming with it's own carrying bag to enable transport" . . . How else was I supposed to interpret that sentence? When people say "I am coming with you" that means they go together, it's a package deal. . . It's okay, I brought some cargo blankets from Amazon to sew together and make my own harp case but the whole reason I went for this product was because it was an all inclusive deal.
Honestly, I just got it home a few hours ago and the customs/ cargo/ brokerage process was an extended nightmare, such that I am too tired after all of that to tune it and hear what it sounds like. So, as yet I don't know. I hope it sounds as bright and full as reviews say. . . As long as no one stands too close while I'm playing; it will look like a picture of beauty.
I'm not beating up on Mikel, I am as happy as can be expected when purchasing an instrument sight unseen. It's fine. . . I did this to myself. I'm an adult, no one made me buy this. It is what it is.
Very nice
Can someone help me, I'm having a hard time choosing whether to buy the prelude 40 or tulip 40. I know both are good but is there a major difference or is it just the brand name?
It’s about budget and function. Prelude is a name brand and beautiful harp with amazing wood and if you have 5-7k and you don’t want a pedal harp this is the go-to harp. If you have a budget, if you are ok with lighter tension strings and lighter wood then this is a good alternative. You can email me if you want more information
@KristalAngelicHarp does lighter tension strings mean the sound will be different or is that just feel of the string? Also does lighter wood mean lighter sound? Does the prelude have more powerful sound?
Hi how to play the 1:24 to 1:36 sounds
Very nice❤❤❤🧡🧡❣❣💖💖
Pretty🥰
NO to plastic harps! Lousy sound. Unreliable maker, too.
I don’t think it is plastic but wood
Do you have a experience with this harp and maker? Please share if you have personal information
Any more informations?
I just unveiled my Mikel Harp and I LOVE it! ❤️ Exquisite craftsmanship and amazing resonance🌟🌟🌟
@@KristalAngelicHarp This is an all wood harp! Even the soundboard is solid wood (spruce), covered with a thin layer of veneer from the outside. Only the rounded body is laminate, but it's quite decent quality. You could only complain about the thick polyurethane finish, which is plastic indeed. If I had this harp I'd scrape the lacquer off and refinish the whole instrument with a couple of thin layers of shellac.
The maker is a now well-known Pakistani maker with a growing reputation. Their objective is to make the harp an affordable instrument. Not an easy task in this world, and we must respect their commitment.