I am currently in search of a new harp and I came across Starfish Designs in Scotland. I would be very gratefull to anyone who could give a review on these harps. I need a harp suitable for classical and traditional playing. Thank you
I think starfish are great harps - think they have quite a long waiting list though. Personally I'm more of a camac fan though - the aziliz is gorgeous - A good few of the scottish players play them - Corrina Hewat, Ailie Robertson, Patsy Seddon to name a few.
I've had a go on one in a room at the Edinburgh Harp Festival - it struck me as quite similar to the Pilgrim Clarsach in that it's capable of responding well to good playing but is not particularly 'forgiving'. This is in contrast to some harps I've played where the instrument will sound pretty good no matter what you do - but by the same token won't necessarily respond to really good technique.
I'm sure that's common with a lot of things (not just instruments): you either seem to get something which works well and which is a bit forgiving, or something which is very dependent on how it's played but at the same time, can respond well to good playing (and badly, to bad). It seems to me that the Starfish is in the latter category.
Again based on my limited experience, I vaguely remember their harps as being quite big and heavy and that's a consideration if you're thinking of toting it somewhere to play: too heavy / unwieldy, and it's not going to be easy to go anywhere with it. That could be a consideration - so check on that.
Rachel Hair here, I play starfish and they are by far the best lever harps that I have played.
I've been playing them professionally for 6 years now and they have such a beautiful tone, throughout the harp, that I would never play anything else.
I currently own 2x glenelle models, which are their light weight harps, specially crafted in collaboration with myself and Catriona McKay to provide a light weight harp that is very easy to transport, which in no way compromises in the sound/tone that it makes.
They weigh 8.5kg/18.5 pounds.
I would also say that there after sales service is excellant. They are always on the end of the phone and I've had to had repairs done after rough handling by airport baggage handlers... they do this quickly and to the highest of standards. I just today got my harp back after it getting repaired after a rough ride back from a USA tour and I can't find how they've actually glued it as its been repaired so well!
Currently they have two options of levers... the camac levers and the new delacour levers, which are what i have fitted to my harps.
These are very smooth, quick, one action levers that are silent and I love playing with them on my harp.
Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
I am currently in search of a new harp and I came across Starfish Designs in Scotland. I would be very gratefull to anyone who could give a review on these harps. I need a harp suitable for classical and traditional playing. Thank you
# Posted on February 20th 2009 by harping niamh
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
The thing I know is that Catriona McKay plays one... which is quite a reference.
# Posted on February 20th 2009 by Nikita Pfister
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
I think starfish are great harps - think they have quite a long waiting list though. Personally I'm more of a camac fan though - the aziliz is gorgeous - A good few of the scottish players play them - Corrina Hewat, Ailie Robertson, Patsy Seddon to name a few.
# Posted on February 21st 2009 by limericklassie
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
I've had a go on one in a room at the Edinburgh Harp Festival - it struck me as quite similar to the Pilgrim Clarsach in that it's capable of responding well to good playing but is not particularly 'forgiving'. This is in contrast to some harps I've played where the instrument will sound pretty good no matter what you do - but by the same token won't necessarily respond to really good technique.
I'm sure that's common with a lot of things (not just instruments): you either seem to get something which works well and which is a bit forgiving, or something which is very dependent on how it's played but at the same time, can respond well to good playing (and badly, to bad). It seems to me that the Starfish is in the latter category.
Again based on my limited experience, I vaguely remember their harps as being quite big and heavy and that's a consideration if you're thinking of toting it somewhere to play: too heavy / unwieldy, and it's not going to be easy to go anywhere with it. That could be a consideration - so check on that.
# Posted on February 21st 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
By the way, I do remember the levers are quite good. I think they use Camac levers but worth checking about that.
# Posted on February 21st 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
Im lucky enough to own a 26 string starfish, at £1600 it's worth every penny, and a lot more
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by devilstickpeat
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
Rachel Hair is another Scottish harp player who uses Starfish harps.
# Posted on November 16th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Starfish Designs Harps, any good?
Rachel Hair here, I play starfish and they are by far the best lever harps that I have played.
I've been playing them professionally for 6 years now and they have such a beautiful tone, throughout the harp, that I would never play anything else.
I currently own 2x glenelle models, which are their light weight harps, specially crafted in collaboration with myself and Catriona McKay to provide a light weight harp that is very easy to transport, which in no way compromises in the sound/tone that it makes.
They weigh 8.5kg/18.5 pounds.
I would also say that there after sales service is excellant. They are always on the end of the phone and I've had to had repairs done after rough handling by airport baggage handlers... they do this quickly and to the highest of standards. I just today got my harp back after it getting repaired after a rough ride back from a USA tour and I can't find how they've actually glued it as its been repaired so well!
Currently they have two options of levers... the camac levers and the new delacour levers, which are what i have fitted to my harps.
These are very smooth, quick, one action levers that are silent and I love playing with them on my harp.
# Posted on November 23rd 2011 by RacH