Harp Comparison: Ravenna 34, Harpsicle, and Mikel 38

[@Pythonaria]

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]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can find one soon - they are absolutely gorgeous harps!

[@Pythonaria]

@@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.

[@sandragayle7866]

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.

[@gutsandgrittv5076]

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.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It does have a nice look! The Ravenna is so beautiful though 🥰

[@aquamarinedream8304]

I'm salivating over that Ravenna. I've wanted it for a few years now.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It's such a gorgeous harp. I honestly recommend it as anyone's "one" harp, it's that versatile and beautiful.

[@SS4Xani]

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.

[@christopherstube9473]

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.

[@1944elbelle]

Thank you for helping me see the differences in sound.

[@qltygrl3187]

The Revenna is definitely my favorite of the three and on my wishlist. I have a fullsicle right now and like it.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It's such a beautiful harp! You won't be disappointed if you get one :)

[@dougshorb9583]

Great video. I own a Dusty strings Allegro and I was looking at buying the Mikel 38. Now I know... stick with Dusty Strings.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

Thank you! Absolutely stick with Dusty Strings, they sound Amazing :D

[@SharonCullenArt]

Ah now I am getting one of the answers to my questions I left in the other Ravenna video. Thanks

[@CzechJamie]

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..

[@maggielantry9811]

Beautiful!

[@RonDelby]

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

[@bettertomorrow2625]

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.

[@musicalmiscellany]

Very cool. I've never played a harp (one of the few string instruments I haven't played) but this made me want one.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

Thank you! It's actually remarkably easy to learn and has been so much fun!

[@musicalmiscellany]

@@MusicalMollyKhan That's good to hear. I may need to try it one of these days. Thanks for the reviews.

[@carmenfreeman693]

Thank you for the comparison. 🎶

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

Welcome!

[@kimswartz9107]

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.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

I'm glad to help 😊

[@Guitarbarella]

Oh the Ravenna sounds so angelic

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

Yes! It's such a gorgeous instrument :)

[@judijohnson4130]

The Dusty Strings Ravenna is my favorite.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It is such a beautiful harp! 😊

[@donaldkershaw6371]

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?

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

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 😊

[@ForestFairy]

Hey, I'm curios about how did the Mikel 38 hold up throughout the years? 😊

[@pamgevelinger2997]

I love the recella38. Amazing sound. I could only afford a Fireside harp i put together myself.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

The Firesides are nice too! I hope you enjoy it 😊

[@VeronicaVeronica1]

I definitely want a Ravenna 34 in a few years

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

Yes! They are amazing harps, especially for the price 😊

[@GorefeastDrummer]

The ravenna all the way no match

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

I agree, it's a wonderful harp! 😊

[@rondelby2482]

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.

[@harpandhenna2289]

Were they all gut or nylon? Thankyou

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

All nylon strings on this harp, the lower octave is wire though.

[@harpandhenna2289]

@@MusicalMollyKhan thankyou very much

[@ElenaAngelMessenger]

Beautiful! Have you tried the Celtic harps? 22 strings Looking for a harp and wondering.

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

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

[@ElenaAngelMessenger]

@@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!

[@michellelawhorn5707]

Thank you 🎶❤️🎶

[@jondoes8222]

I want an Ogden

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

I love the look of the Ogden! I think the tension would be a bit too much for me though.

[@johnquartieri5141]

100% agree

[@markirish7599]

Ahh the Irish harp 🇮🇪make me so proud to be Irish 😁

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It's such a gift to the world! 😊

[@user-sr7cz6ll4d]

mikel 38 sound like bad and not loudly

[@MusicalMollyKhan]

It's definitely not my favorite.

[@emekaugah8641]

Hello Molly, You make great videos. Please can I contact you via email? Thanks