Lyon and Healy #23 Harp Review

[@harpist23]

All the things you dislike about the 23 - the carving, the colour, the soundboard decoration - are part of what I ❤️ love about my 23. You’re so right about the sound, it is warm and rich and vibrant. When I slide on the bench and pull my 23 to my shoulder, it’s as though the rest of the world fades away, and I am sooooo happy. The thing about concert harp tension is that the strings are so responsive, and you have such a wide range of dynamics and tone at your fingertips. Thanks for your videos, they are very inspiring 🎶

[@interestingharp-alexrider2576]

I think you’re right - the sound is paramount! When in Chicago once, I tried a Lyon and Healy 11 nouveau. When I saw all the coloured flowers , I thought.... but after two chords, the appearance melted away. I was in love. It remains one of the most beautiful harps I have ever played.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

It's a moment of magic when you find such a harp

[@jimbuxton2187]

Alex.... over time all those brilliant colors will mute as the finish darkens....

[@nemoadest5064]

I completely agree with your advice about selecting a harp. It absolutely *must* be done in person even if it requires extensive travel. The cost of airline/train/hotel is insignificant when compared to the cost of a harp. I was very lucky to have had five Salvi Arianna harps available to choose from. I finally narrowed it to two, and then went to lunch to rest my ears. After I returned I stood across the showroom with my back turned while the sales manager played the Pierne Impromptu Caprice. Harp number one: not bad, pretty good actually. Harp number two: halfway through the first arpeggio I was running through dozens of harps shouting "THAT'S THE ONE! THAT'S IT!!" The tone was magnificent. There were shortcomings; it was extremely heavy - 42 kg although it felt like more whenever there were stairs (so many stairs... 😰) - and that magnificent sound was for the listener not the player, to name a few. I had it for 10 years and shed more than a few tears when it was sold because at the time it was the most beautiful thing I ever owned.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Beautiful and moving story! Thank you for sharing it!

[@rociogaleamusic]

The harp you have with the baroque style is exactly the harp of my dreams, I would accept this harp with pleasure 😁😜.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Hihi, smart...! Sorry, but I'm keeping it :-D

[@fd9987]

I love my 23. It is the most beautiful harp style ever designed. The natural finish is the best. I want only the 23. The sound is scrumptious!

[@jimbuxton2187]

A story about buying a harp. My good friend came with me to buy my new harp. She said. ...OK this is how it's going to go. If you like it, and I like it, you're buying it. If you don't like it but I like it, you're buying it, if you like it, but I don't like it... you're NOT buying it! Luckily both of us liked it instantly. After playing a few chords both of us said in unison...WE'LL TAKE IT !!!

[@InstrumentManiac]

This was actually really interesting to hear! I totally agree with you about the simpler design with a darker colour. But that sound is gorgeous! I have a lever harp but I didn't realize you had to have pedal harps regulated... which is even more expensive XD Definitely a lot to think about & this vid helps a lot. Thank you!

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

I'm glad you like it, thank you for watching!

[@terrygray6475]

I love the style of this harp...I'll take it off your hands...lol...

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Hahaha!

[@StaceyMayer]

Stunning, gorgeous harp, I agree!

[@renickchiropracticsofttiss4421]

I have the Lyon and Healy "Salzedo", I love the big warm sound it has AND I love the geometric lines in the column and on the soundboard. The sound is paramount indeed. Luckily, mine as well has an amazing warm big sound.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Super! Very glad for you, enjoy your treasure!

[@markowenmartin6760]

So if you LOVE the sound/feel of the Style 23 but HATE the look of it, consider the (cheaper) Style 85. This harp was created as a "student" version of the 23 but without all of the "curlicues". It is basically the same harp but with a simple column. I was led to pick the 85 over the 23 by a salesperson at Lyon Healy who explained that the chief difference between the two is the ab=mount of carvings, etc. It is the same sound box and soundboard and action. Exactly the same.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Wow, I wish I knew this 12 years ago....Thanks for it, I'll keep it in mind for the future!

[@Tropicalharpist72]

Glad I got the 85CG

[@jimbuxton2187]

Actually if you look at the column and base, the 85 CG is an uncarved style 11!!

[@laurenulrich468]

I can't believe you can fit the 23 in a C-Max! That is what we need a video of! My husband drives a C-max and I can't imagine getting my harp into it.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

It's possible! I did a video of it, have a look here kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPPqneJZq-so5Y&ab_channel=ChiaraPedrazzettiARPAtelier

[@laurenulrich468]

@@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470 that is fantastic!! Thank you!!!

[@rociogaleamusic]

It happens something similar with my harp. I am not a fan of black Harps but I find the sound of mine exquisite! And also the design, fine and elegant. So for that I'm really happy with my harp. 😊

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Great! Isn't it wonderful that EARS win over EYES (for once!!!)

[@jimbuxton2187]

You're right.... there is NO perfect harp. You can come close, but must make allowances. If the bottom and middle are good, the top is bad, if the top and middle are good, the bottom is bad, if the bottom and top are good the middle is bad. The tone does change over time, and as you said, sometimes not always in a good way. My friend bought a new L&H 23 and it was overly bright but very responsive. After 2 years all the brightness went away and it sounded dead. ... and this is how it is with the harp! C'est la vie, c'est la harp!

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Yes, a good part of the game is....LUCK!

[@Fanny-bm8gq]

I'm currently renting a Daphne 40 Salvi harp and I'm not happy with the sound at all. Every other harp I have tried sounds so much better and feels easier to play. I don't know what is wrong with that harp! Thank you for this video because I'm thinking about purchasing my own harp and I'm looking for advise :)

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Hi Fanny, thanks for your comment. Probably you're not happy with the sound because the harp has only 40 strings. I strongly advice you to buy a 47 strings, because you'll be able to play everything and the harp will sound better! Let me know how it goes x

[@kukacostejberizs]

Usually you have a 40 String harp as a bridge between lever and concert harp or as a young player. Another Option: try a Chicago Petite by Lyon and Healy.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

@@kukacostejberizs I've never been a fan of 40 strings or smaller harps. I think it's an unnecessary purchase, but that's only my thought...

[@kukacostejberizs]

@@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470 I would not purchase one, only rent.

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

@@kukacostejberizs ..better than buying one of them :D

[@galapustovit5273]

You make just great reviews !!! Thank you !!! 🌷

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Thank you! More to come!

[@carmenfreeman693]

That is amazing!

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Thank you!

[@Daniella__Enchanted]

First let me just say, you are absolutely hilarious, and I could watch you eat oatmeal lol Ironically, this is the pedal harp that I saw in the living room of someone that I just bought my harp from and I was IN LOVE. I’m a very girly girl and I love the pomp and frill of the flowers (I am a flower freak lol) and I know this is the model that I want to try when I move up This was so helpful!

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

I'm glad! I'm the opposite, although I became much more "girly" since my daughter was born😍(I had pink hair for months!)

[@jacquelinetouchie9218]

Can you review the Salvi Diana?

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

...If someone gives me one, yes! 😆

[@MehlindaHeartt]

don't use gut strings, I have fluoro carbon from Vanderbilt 6 years later, not one broken string

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

What about the sound? Did it change?

[@MehlindaHeartt]

@@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470 I Love the sound of the fluorocarbon strings. I have put them on several pedal harps, including some of my students harps. I have a before and after video of a restring of a students harp, I will attach below, Gut doesn't cut through as much especially in the 4th and 5th octave. I have my own band and play several times a week at a well known restaurant, I have to be heard in the lower range, so this is the best. Here is the video of the difference kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYC9e3Wol753jJo

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

@@MehlindaHeartt Thank you for your link, I listened with the headphones and to be completely honest with you, I find the sound much more dry and nasal. Personal taste I suppose! 😉

[@johnstrand7456]

My experience with Savarez Alliance strings was bad - they seemed to be under much higher tension than gut and I could see after a year that the soundboard was pulling up and the neck twisting - my technician said to get them off immediately which I did and went back to standard gut - couple years ago I restrung both my pedal harps with lever guage gut and lever guage wires - the necks have stopped twisting and the soundboard relaxed by a quarter inch - the sound did not change but with lighter tension my 4 hour gigs are less physically demanding -

[@michellech8315]

I guess you are in Europe, but in US we usually have strings sale every year which is 20% off, so stock during the sale...

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

Good idea! Yes we're in Europe, probably I have to do some research for discounts! Thank you for your advice! :-)

[@kerrycockburncampbell3044]

Why did you buy it????

[@chiarapedrazzettiarpatelie6470]

What?