Lap Harp Comparison: Sonnet vs 28-Bass LAP vs Harpsicle!

Let's compare lap harps! Many of you have been curious about how Marini's 28-Bass LAP harp compares to Musicmakers' Sonnet... so I'm here to help! I also thought it would be interesting to compare to a Harpsicle, since this is the most familiar lap harp for most people. What do you like about each harp? 😄
MORE INFO ABOUT THESE HARPS:
Special Edition Fullsicle Harp in Cherry, with upgraded bass strings. geni.us/specialfullsicle *
28-Bass LAP Harp by Marini Made Harps geni.us/Marini-28-Bass-LAPharp *
Sonnet Lap Harp by Musicmakers geni.us/Sonnet-Lap-Harp *
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SONGS PLAYED:
River Flows in You - geni.us/RiverFlowsSheet
A Thousand Years - geni.us/AThousandYearsSheet
Sunshiney Day: Original song by Christy-Lyn, no sheet music available yet
Fur Elise: geni.us/FurEliseSheet
The Little Fountain by Samuel O Pratt: geni.us/LittleFountainSheet
Mahogany Moon: geni.us/MahoganyMoonSheet
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Use coupon code: HARPISFUN on the Harpsicle® Website to get 10% off your Harp geni.us/lth-and-harpsicle *
A free strap and display stand are also included with your purchase while stocks last!
Use coupon code: MakeHarpMusic on the Musicmakers website to get 10% off your first purchase geni.us/musicmakers *
Use coupon code: MMH-LAPS on the Marini Made Harps order form when you buy a 26-LAP Harp or 28-Bass LAP Harp to get $100 off your purchase, plus Christy-Lyn's 'Playing with Chords' Workshop, a free tuning wrench and an extra set of regular nylon strings geni.us/Marini-28-Bass-LAPharp *
Use coupon code: MMH-HARPS on the Marini Made Harps order form when you buy ANY harp and get Christy-Lyn's 'Playing with Chords' Workshop with your purchase.
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0:00 - Lap Harps
1:07 - Arpeggios
1:25 - Rolled Chords
2:03 - River Flows in You
3:31 - A Thousand Years
4:14 - Sunshiney Day
4:54 - Fur Elise
5:40 - The Little Fountain by Samuel O Pratt
6:27 - Mahogany Moon
7:20 - Harp Stand comparison video
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Learning the harp and want to stay inspired? Here are some next steps:
1) SUBSCRIBE ON KZbin to keep growing in your harp journey geni.us/lthsubscribeyt
2) JOIN OUR COMMUNITY: Access a wonderful harp community with lots of resources: geni.us/learningtheharphome
3) HARP SHEET MUSIC and video courses, designed to be beautiful but easy to play: geni.us/learninghteharpshop
4) LET’S CONNECT!
- Email: [e-mail]
- Website: geni.us/learningtheharphome
- Facebook group: geni.us/lthfacebookgroup
- Instagram: geni.us/lthinstagram
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* Just so you know, some of the links and promotions I share are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you decide to buy something. Your support is truly appreciated!

[@balfourknight7011]

I like the Sonnet best of all, Christy! Thanks, Balfour

[@diandraj2051]

I love the Sonnet Harp the most. I usually prefer warmer-toned harps, but for lap harps, the bright tone of the Sonnet Harp sounds the clearest. All are amazing harps though 🥰

[@julestheharpist]

All three harps are beautiful, but I think I like the sound of the Marini Made 28 Bass the best. Plus, it has wider spacing, so as a person with big hands, it would probably be the one that I would purchase. However, I think the Harpsicle should be given credit for being able to compare with the others which are so much more expensive.

[@LearningtheHarp]

You're so right! It's amazing to hear the differences between these 3 😄

[@cheryla9951]

Definitely Sonnet. It has been on my wish list for a long time.

[@wendy5290]

I adore my 26 Marini for many reasons, big gorgeous sound for its size and beautifully made as they all are, and as it's so portable weight wise- since I have a bad back from a car accident. Just thought it worth mentioning as the price points are tricky because of freight and exchange rate actually doubles the price plus a bit extra for where I live.

[@inluminatiomea9889]

That's quite a suprise. I am a bass lover but I much prefer the Sonnet sound - the larger soundbox does the trick. Never would have thought I would say that cos I love the bass on my floor harp. Musicmakers are stellar at soundbox design, like on Voyageur. Extra volume for me!

[@organist1982]

I wish more people knew about the Rees Morgan Meghan model, as it's essentially the high-end version of the Fullsicle and has a much larger soundbox for a bigger, fuller sound. It would be great to hear how that model compares to these, as well! Anyway, thanks so much for both versions of this video, Christy-Lyn!

[@Fae88856]

I think you make them all sound amazing! But I love the Bass harp.

[@Maris-W]

Very interesting. I like the Sonnet the best overall.

[@Lynnylouwho1]

Love the Marini

[@carolbriggs5804]

Sonnet Harp. Very rich and deep tones.

[@BarryGrueter]

They are all so beautiful ✨🙏

[@catholicdoula]

I like the Harpsicle price.

[@CelticQueen123]

Sonnet wins hands down. I love mine. It has the bassiest sound of any lapharp that I’ve heard.

[@DreamAengus]

Christy Lyn, thank you so much for very informative video. I play a Cherry Marini Bass Minstrel 27; mine has smaller width and non-curved soundbox than your 28 Bass Lap; but even so, it still has a lot of presence for a small harp. Like you mentioned, my Marini reminds me of playing a floor harp but way more portable. Based on your video, If I didn't already have a Marini 27, I'd sure like a Marini 28 Bass Lap harp! Listened to your video with headphones because over past year I was very curious about Sonnet. Your Sonnet's sustain is nice & what gorgeous tiger maple. Your video affirmed my preference towards the Marini full bass sound, solid sustain, medium tension, & floor harp string spacing. Because I'm currently in the market for a lightweight under 20lbs, fully levered 34-36 string, that will fit in a backseat of a smaller car, I'm checking out KZbin videos trying to help me narrow down harp makers. I need to replace a now too heavy for me older 34 string floor harp that sits un-played in my living room. There aren't harp dealers convenient to my location, so side by side comparison videos such as yours are greatly helpful.

[@LearningtheHarp]

We're so glad you found this video helpful and that it gave you some clarity on what you're looking for! Best of luck on your journey of finding a new harp 💚 --Carrie

[@organist1982]

I think I already mentioned my super-light Rees Brilliant harp in walnut, but there's also the MusicMakers Ballad 34 strings, though it's advertised to have narrow spacing and low string tension. There's also a new in-stock Marini Ultra-Lite 34-string harp currently for sale on their website. Here's the info: $6,247.00, semi-gloss African Mahogany with stain and full set of Forte Levers. That model is advertised to be 19 lbs before levers are installed, and the Forte levers they put on it supposedly only add a few ounces of weight, not even a full pound.

[@organist1982]

In addition, there's the Rees Mariposa 34-string model which weighs as little as 19 lbs, as well as the Camac Ulysse model which also has 34 strings and weighs just under 19 lbs, though that one has a carbon fiber body.

[@organist1982]

And how could I have missed mentioning the various Dusty Strings models?! The new FH34S in walnut weighs about 20 lbs with its base attached, and the Serrana 34 weighs about 19.5 lbs.

[@nwpioneer2551]

I choose you.

[@organist1982]

I kept wondering why the Marini sounds so mid-rangey, similar the Fullsicle minus some of the brightness, but then I remembered that the soundbox of the Marini 28 was originally designed for their smaller 26-string lap harp, which has the exact same note range as the Fullsicle, so I wonder if the higher-pitched Marini 26-string version might possibly have a fuller tone (more fundamental) than the 28-string bass version since the soundbox is identical.

[@LearningtheHarp]

Oh wow, that's a really interesting thought! I hadn't considered that but you may be right 😃 --Carrie