Models

     All of my harps, known variously as folk, Irish, Scottish, and "celtic" harps, are designed to be lightweight for easy transport, without compromising sound and durability.  They produce a full sound which can be heard in a public space, or in a group session.  The materials are selected to produce a musical instrument which is a delight to the eyes and ears.  The middle and upper registers have a clear voice, and the bass register has a full, warm presence, without being muddy.

     The round back, for player comfort, is made up of layers of hardwood veneers.  The sound board is a single layer of vertical grained (also known as quartersawn), luthier-grade cedar or spruce, which tapers in thickness from the bottom to the top of the soundboard, as well as from the middle of the soundboard to the edges.  I do not use veneers or plywood in the making of the soundboard.  The sides of the soundboard are protected by hardwood bindings.

     The neck and pillar are solid pieces of hardwood, which are hand selected for strength and stability, as well as beauty.  They are reinforced with internal splines where the neck and pillar join, and at the knee end of the neck where the force exerted by the strings crosses the grain direction.

See the Woods & Finish page for available selections of softwoods and hardwoods.

I use an even string spacing, around 4” (10cm) per octave, with medium-light tension strings (Savarez fluorocarbon, or Aquila Biocarbon). 

Full Camac levers is standard.  Argent Fox Forte levers are available for a small premium.  The Forte levers reduce the weight by ~1.5lb (~0.7 kg).

See the Ordering page for more detail.

For video and audio examples of these harps, please go to the Audio & Video page.

Spiorad 34 - $4900 (Full Camac levers, fluorocarbon strings, see Ordering page for options)

The largest harp I make, with a sound that has received consistant praise.

The Details:

                Range: 34 Strings (fluorocarbon or Biocarbon ("sugar"), with Savarez wound strings for the bottom octave), C6 to A1

                Height:(at the Pillar): 48" (122cm), at the Shoulder 43" (109cm) (with 2" feet, up to 6" feet are available)

                Width (at the Base of the Soundboard): 14-3/4" (37cm)

                Depth (Front of Pillar to Knee): 28-1/2" (72cm)

                Weight: 15.5-18lb (6.8-8.3kg) - Varies with the Species of Wood and levers chosen.

Customer Comments:

Sound is brisk, bright in treble and very full in bass - which I like, because I can choose to play it loudly or subtly depending on audience.  Visually graceful, nicely proportioned from all angles. - S.G., Peterborough, NH

The harp is beautiful, and sounds amazing. I played it for a few hours last night and am very happy with it.  Thanks you for creating such a beautiful instrument, I will cherish it for years to come. - T.H., Rome, NY

Boy did the producer love your Spiorad 34 when I brought it to the recording studio, Dave! What a gorgeous tone - S.P., Stonington, CT

*Spiorad is Irish and Scots Gaelic for Spirit.

Gallery of recent harps:

- Georgian Stained American Curly Cherry                - Quilted Maple    

 - Engelmann Spruce Soundboard                                - Western Red Cedar Soundboard

 - Mahogany Trim      - Camac Levers                           - Quilted Maple Trim         - Camac Levers

   - Curly Cherry                                                                    - American Black Walnut

   - Western Red Cedar Soundboard                                - Western Red Cedar Soundboard  

   - Quilted Maple Trim      - Argent Fox Levers             - Quilted Maple Trim          - Camac Levers

Planxty Susan, a 2x24 Double Strung Harp - $3500 (Two levers per octave, biocarbon strings, see Ordering page for options)

A new design, named for the harpist who inspired me to create it, this double strung harp has the sound of a larger harp, with all of the tonal possibilities a double strung harp creates. 

Diverging string ribs, in combination with a wider soundboard, allow for a comfortable right hand position, as well as a fuller sound than a single string rib, or parallel string ribs design. 

This harp is available either fully, or partially levered with Camac or Argent Fox levers.

The folding stand, which attaches to the bottom of the harp, is available separately.  See the Ordering page for details.

Additional pictures of the harp may be seen here.

The Details:

                Range: 24x2 (Saverez fluorocarbon or Aquila Biocarbon), E5 to G1

                Height (at the Pillar): 33-1/2" (87cm)

                Width (at the Base of the Soundboard): 13.5" (34cm)

                Depth (Front of Pillar to Knee): 23" (58.5cm)

                Weight: 13 lb (6.1kg) (no levers), 14.2 lb (6.5kg) (full Forte levers)

Shown with Biocarbon strings, Forte levers, and optional stand

 —this harp SINGS - Susan G.

Moruadh (Merrow) 22 - $1650 (No levers, Biocarbon strings, see the Ordering page for options)

This harp was orginally created as a donation to a local non-profit group's fund raising charity auction in 2021.  It is based on the top three octaves of the larger Spiorad, using the same string spacing, soundboard, and soundbox design as the larger harp.  This model is available partially, or fully levered with Camac levers or Argent Fox Forte levers, or without levers..

The Details:

                Range: 22 Strings (Saverez fluorocarbon or Aquila Biocarbon), A4 to A1

                Height:(at the Pillar): 30-1/2" (77cm)

                Width (at the Base of the Soundboard): 11-1/2" (29cm)

                Depth (Front of Pillar to Knee): 22-3/4" (58cm)

                Weight: 12-13lb (5.5-6kg) - Varies with the Species of Wood used for the Pillar and Neck.