Corinne Standish

Review of Lyon & Healy Harps

The best. I bought a Lyon & Healy #17 in 1986. It ...

The best. I bought a Lyon & Healy #17 in 1986. It still works like new and the sound has only gotten more amazing over the years.

I read one review by someone who had what they felt was a too stringent credit experience. I paid cash on the barrel for mine so I can't comment on that. I am sure L&H is under tremendous pressure to keep their costs down. Prices have more than doubled on mine since I bought it. The harp is such a niche instrument; perhaps their strict credit notions grow out of being hyper-vigilant about damage and loss. Can only guess.

So much work goes into creating each harp. Their instruments are still very much hand-made, so many skilled and specialized crafts people are needed to carve, paint, and assemble each harp; not to mention their building is huge (presumably own it - it's so close to downtown it would cost a fortune to rent). That being said, they are still not the most expensive harp makers in the world.

Go on the tour, to see how the harp is made - fascinating!

On that note, I recommend when you want to buy one, come in and play the ones available to buy. Because they are individually and for the most part hand-made, there are slight differences if you have a discerning ear. The one I chose has the most beautiful 2nd and 3rd octaves I have heard on any harp, to this day. Even when I was starving, I couldn't part with it.

So many beautiful harps in their showroom - it is like a trip to Mecca. You won't be disappointed.