Rees Fullsicle (Cherry) Harp Unboxing! -- Sound comparison with two other harps

[@pheona1000]

Looks like Truitt Levers. I bought a the 26 stringed 'fullsicle' lap harp and ordered these Truitt Levers as a special addition. I use it for harp therapy and love it. For those who live in the UK, try Pilgrim Harps. They sell the harp, adjustable stand and kneebone together with a soft case. It is important to remember that like any new harp, there is a settling in period and the harp will sound better as the weeks go on. Any guitar strap will fit the harpsicle. For those who are new to harping, Darlene Walton has written many tutor books especially for the harpsicle range which can be ordered on Amazon. She has also written many wonderful tune books such as 'Beyound the Cliffs of Moher' in which she has arranged traditional Irish tunes for the small harp with no sharps or flats, again available from Amazon. There are many other tune books written for lap harp such as 'Twenty-one Easy pieces for small harps' by Sarah Deere-Jones; 'Favourite Classics arranged for 22 string Lap Harp' by Suzanne Balderston' - both tune books available to order online from Morley Harps, UK.

[@annmaria]

Thank you for those tips!

[@zanvolcano]

Thank you for all that information. Very useful as I am looking to buy a harp

[@thewordartist]

They are in fact not Truitts. These are the new Rees levers which are also excellent. A great improvement over the Robinson levers I had on my original Fullsicle. I liked it so much, that ten years later I bought the SE.

[@elyzsabethahne2116]

GORGEOUS area rug, too!

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

HAHA Oh my goodness, that's the first time someone noticed the rug! :-) Thank you!

[@elizabethdekalb]

Hi. Thank you for this video. I have a Lyon and Healy folk harp; it's almost vintage by this time and has a wonderful tone like that of the Ogden you played. I am thinking about purchasing a Special Edition Fullsicle Harp with wound bass strings and electronics for using an amplifier. The electronics are just for fun, but I'm buying the Fullsicle specifically because it has it is fully levered and it has a lighter string tension which I need at this point. It was really great to hear the contrast between the harps. After watching the video I know that the Fullsicle will meet my needs very well at this point and I can always play my folk harp for songs that require a richer tone. I am looking forward to carrying around a harp that is less than 7 pounds, too. : )

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Hi there! I'm so glad that the video was helpful! The Fullsicle is so dang cute -- I'm definitely going to be taking it with me to my local park sometime and noodling around for an afternoon in the forest. I love the Ogdens so much for a versatile professional instrument. Let me know what you think of your Fullsicle!

[@bethsoh4172]

Very pretty. It's only the 2nd day when you had it and played those gorgeous music, yet it sounds so good! When the strings are more seasoned, the Fullsicle (in Cherry) will sound even better. It will be mellower. Enjoy your Cherry wood harp for a long time! (I have both the cherry and walnut, Special Edition). I love them both!

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Glad to hear it!!!! I certainly will. What do you like best about yours? Do you use the stick or a guitar strap?

[@darolynbarber199]

What the point of having both the cherry and walnut ???

[@qltygrl3187]

Does the cherry wood darken with age?

[@bettertomorrow2625]

@@qltygrl3187 Yes, the cherry darkens with age to a rich reddish brown.

[@melissalundberg4656]

Thank you for a pretty thorough review. I greatly appreciate it.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Thank you! I'm glad it helped!

[@thecaremelkid]

Great review, nice to hear it next to the Ogden. Cheers!

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

cthomas Thanks! Yeah, it's really interesting HOW different these instruments can sound! And the Ogden only has 8 more strings!

[@vernonbowling5310]

I wonder if gut string would take away the tinny sound out of the smaller harp ? I grew up in Wolfe Lake Indiana on a farm listening to my grandma play a giant steel string harp, the sound would resonate all through our big farmhouse with heavenly sound.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Yes, gut strings do absolutely add warmth and richness! The problem is that a lot of these smaller harps don't have the structural strength to take the increased tension of gut. I've heard wire strungs a couple time - they're so magical-sounding!

[@rubydinauto732]

Hi Chanah, thank you for sharing your talent and skills generously. Is it okay if you give the link to the store where you purchased the stick?

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

My pleasure! Check out Sylvia Woods' page, where she has purchase links to all harpsicle-related upgrades! www.harpcenter.com/product/special-edition-fullsicle/harpsicle-harp-company

[@zanvolcano]

Thank you very interesting

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Thank you so much! :-)

[@user-nl4yn5yo4o]

Hello, you play the harp beautifully! Do you know what the notes are from left to right on the Special Edition Fullscile Harp? Is the last bass string in the key of C3? And does it just go up the scale from there to G6 as the highest note? I'm a little confused about how to tune it. Any advice is much appreciated, thanks!

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Hello! Firstly, thank you!!! The lowest string is the C below middle C. Fully levered harps should be tuned to E-flat (c, d, e flat, f, g, a flat / (g sharp on some tuners), b flat, c). This gives you maximum key range without retuning! To go to the key of c, you would then put up the b, e, and A levers!

[@user-nl4yn5yo4o]

@@TheMichiganHarpist Thank you so much for your reply and help! I figured out how to tune it a while back, but I will try tuning it the way you suggested. It seems like it has more range that way and I didn't realize you can tune like that, thanks!

[@cathymcdougall9878]

Delightful music, thanks

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Thank you! I'm so glad liked it!!!

[@Music_Charts9]

very Nice have you ever heared about the Mikel celtic harp. can you test them for us And tell you opinion

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Hi Herman! No, I haven't heard anything about it! If someone sends me one, I'll happily test it out! :) There does seem to be a comment thread about them on harpcolumn forums. Check it out! www.harpcolumn.com/forums/topic/mikel-celtic-harps/

[@annmaria]

Does this feel very different to a 34 string harp? I play a 'full-size' lever harp but would like one of these for music therapy and travel but I'm concerned the spacing would feel very different and would hinder my playing on my usual instrument. If that makes sense.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

It absolutely makes sense! -- Yes, this does feel quite a bit different from a 34/standard-spacing harp. It would take some getting used to, but I'm sure one could adapt to it. If you want something that feels a bit more standard, you could look into the Dusty Strings Allegro/Ravenna line!

[@esthersfaith6141]

Hi, just want to ask , which is better the Ravenna 26 or the Fullsicle. I am buying harp this week. Thanks

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

I personally think that if you have the budget for a Ravenna, go for it! It will have more volume and a richer sound because it has a fuller sound box, which means you can have more colors and dynamics to play with in your musicality. If your goal is to have ultimate portability of an instrument, then the Fullsicle is probably the better choice for you for the same anatomical reasons. Congratulations and good luck! Let me know what you get!

[@bettertomorrow2625]

I agree that the Ravenna is much richer if you have the budget for it, but there is more than $1000 difference in price. Having said that, the Fullsicle is a wonderful instrument and after breaking in, the brightness does mellow some.

[@jondoes8222]

I want to get an Ogden model.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

The Ogdens are GREAT harps! They're a wonderful price with great versatility and a consistently powerful, rich sound.

[@jondoes8222]

@@TheMichiganHarpist Yes and I like their particular shape and they look very sturdy. Another thing, they are made by the best company in the world. If im going to get one I want it to be a Lyon & Healy. Its like buying a Catalac in the harp world.

[@jondoes8222]

@@TheMichiganHarpist Its going to take some serious saving and determination but i do plan to get one. You can get one from L&H for about same price or a little less than Dusty strings best harp. Buying an Ogden is like buying a Steinway . This may be the last harp I buy but I do want the best. I make harps here but very rare. Might make one and sell it and put down for an Ogden.

[@eingelus]

is this fullsicle harp considered celtic?

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

It is my impression that Celtic harps don't have levers on them. That said, many lever harps are designed to look like lever harps with that distinctive curve on the column.

[@mitcherny6965]

Local harp store......never heard this word combination before.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Depends on where you live! But I laughed :-)

[@elizabethdexter3779]

Of course the Ogden sounds more rich and full. I actually like the sound of the fireside harp better than the Fullsicle. IMHO the Fullsicle sounds plinky

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

It's definitely a different sound! IMHO, the fireside sounds a little more hollow and fuzzy - but for under 300 and CARDBOARD, that's still a heck of a deal! (And great for people on a budget or boisterous youngsters!). The fullsicle is fantastic as a niche instrument - portable, compact, and versatile! At the end of the day, the soundbox is the "lungs" of a harp- small soundbox, small lungs - and the fireside wins in that category. :-) thanks for your analysis and thoughtful comment!

[@qltygrl3187]

Why tune to e flat?

[@annmaria]

You can move more easily between key signatures that have a few #s or a few flats. Versatility basically. If you tune to c major you can sharpen levers but not flatten, thereby limiting your range of common key signatures. By flattening to begin with, you have a range of both.

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

AnnMaria is exactly correct! E-flat is the perfect key on lever harp to have access to the three most common flat keys, C-major, and the four most common sharp keys without manually retuning. 8 keys in one harp?! That's a sweet set-up!

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

AnnMaria is exactly correct! E-flat is the perfect key on lever harp to have access to the three most common flat keys, C-major, and the four most common sharp keys without manually retuning. 8 keys in one harp?! That's a sweet set-up!

[@rondelby2482]

I liked the fireside better. The sicle harps have sharp sound that i do not care for...Of course The Ogden is wonderful

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Thanks so much for listening! All of these harps fill a unique role in their own niches, for sure!

[@rondelby2482]

@@TheMichiganHarpist I built a 26 stringed alternated it from a Limerick model plans I have a pic of it but do not know how to show you in a picture attachment I love it and named him Vincent...

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

@@rondelby2482 oh, I love that!!!

[@rondelby2482]

If you get time you can hear and see me playing it Ronald Delby Just scroll down I sing folk with guitar but there is some harp tuned

[@zarapico]

Are you sure that's cherry?

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Hello, Mario! Yes, I am 100% sure it is Cherry. The soundbox and frame are Cherry, compared to the soundboard, which is poplar and laminated maple. The only wood-tone options currently offered are: maple (all white-blonde like the soundboard), cherry (reddish-gold), or walnut (dark brown) -- or cherry/walnut combo. You can visit the Cherry Special Edition page directly here: harpsicleharps.com/harps/special-edition-fullsicle-harp

[@qltygrl3187]

I always thought cherry wood was darker and more red.

[@aquarius9043]

@@qltygrl3187 In my knowledge, it does darken as time goes on. But this is/was a very new harp and wood.

[@sallymorris5633]

not a beautiful sound, really, a bit "nasal"? The strings do not ring. The Fireside actually sounds a little better to me. I was actually a bit disappointed in the tone. I figured that they might sound richer as they are so popular. The playing was very nice, just not a big fan of the Fullsicle, I guess. Do you have any comparison between the current Ogden model and the discontinued Folk Harp model of L&H? The Folk Harp has a magnificent sound (maybe in part because by now they are all "mature"!).

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

Hi Sally! Thanks for sharing and for your thoughtful analysis! I do have some thoughts, so brace yourself Haha! The sound of harps are governed by three factors: string type, sound box volume/shape, and wood type. How harps are engineered to best shape these factors is where manufacturer preference comes into play. The harpsicle line was never meant to compete with, say, a Dusty Strings Allegro. The fullsicle has a chunky, small sound box, which means it can't resonate fully. The harpsicle's crowning achievements are its weight, size, and affordability. Considering they are sturdy, only 7ish pounds, and between 750-1000$ - and you can store them in an overhead bin on a plane?! You get a lot of harp for that price! You can stroll around at a renfaire with them, toss it into your car for a jam session, etc! So while I do agree that the sound quality isn't the best, it excels at its purpose! :-) I do actually have another video comparing the Folk and the Ogden, along with Camac and Dusty Strings. Harps tend to mature into their sound around 5yo and stay stable. I personally REALLY love Ogdens - I own three! Their soundboxes are bigger than the Folks, with a sleeker lever mechanism, and the technological advances L&H has made means that they consistently have an INCREDIBLE, deep, rich, powerful sound. Folk harps tend to be strung in nylon, and Ogdens in gut. My preference is for the gut sound and tension, but that's me! I would love to hear your thoughts on the other comparison video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6bGZoF3hsuZa9E Thanks so much again for commenting and sharing! I love having thoughtful conversations with fellow musicians!

[@bettertomorrow2625]

The Fullsicle mellows after playing for a few weeks and breaking in the strings.

[@Loken423]

Can't understant a word you are saying

[@TheMichiganHarpist]

I'm so sorry to hear that! Others haven't had audio problems, but I can try to help. Did you have a question I could answer?