Our Harp Models Updated April 8, 2008

The Swan, The Cygnet and The Serenade

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We make 3 models of harps. They all have 36 strings, are fully levered with Camac levers, they come with a case and a tuning key.

Read a summary of each harp model below or click on the above links for model details with pictures.

For harp specifications (measurements) click on link.

Our experience in working with classical and folk musicians from the novice to the professional player has led us to our current harp designs. All of our harps are designed for even string tension and concert spacing (the same string spacing found on most pedal harps). This medium string tension produces a full, rich tone that is balanced throughout the range of the harp, resulting in a harp that is responsive and inspirational to the player.

THE SWAN is our premium model. (starting at $5595, shipping is $250-300 to anywhere in the US 48 states)

• It has a staved back soundbox made of solid hardwood. Choices of woods include maple, walnut, cherry, and mahogany; and the exotic woods: bubinga, and koa. Other woods may be available upon request.
• It has a solid wood soundboard of spruce or cedar.
• The solid wood pillar is curved with a T-brace that is matched to the soundbox wood.
• The neck is piano pin block (also used on pedal harps) sandwiched between bookmatched pieces of wood that match the soundbox.
• This harp can be made with concert gut, folk harp lever gut or nylon strings. The spacing is standard and the tension is medium-high, with concert gut strings having the highest tension, and folk harp lever gut strings having the lowest.
• It stands 57 inches tall and weighs between 23-28 pounds depending on the choice of wood. If you'd like we can shorten your harp by cutting the legs down by 2 inches. Compare the Swans in the photo above with the waterfall to the Swan in the photo at the top of the page (which has shorter legs).
• This harp can be adorned with inlay around the soundboard or on the pillar. See inlay options.
• It comes with a padded Cordura case, a full set of Camac Levers, a tuning key, and an owners manual.

See details of the Swan and Cygnet models

THE CYGNET is a baby Swan with the same number of strings (36) and the exact same staved back soundbox as the Swan. (starting at $5195, shipping is $250-300 to anywhere in the US 48 states)

• The solid hardwood options for the staved-back soundbox are the same as for the Swan: maple, walnut, cherry, and mahogany, and the exotic woods: bubinga, and koa. (See wood links above).
• The soundboard options are also the same as the Swan: spruce or cedar.
• The bass wires on the Cygnet are slightly shorter than on our Swan allowing us to use a shorter neck and pillar arrangement thus creating a smaller harp.
• The neck has the same construction as the Swan, the pillar has a slight S curve.
• We make this harp with concert gut, folk lever gut or nylon strings. The tension is slightly lighter than the Swan especially in the lower end of the harp.
• Standing at 52 inches and weighing 22-25 lbs, this harp is ideal for those who just want a smaller, lighter harp with slightly lighter tension, for those who play in hospital settings, for smaller adults and children or for someone looking to fit a full harp into a small car.
• This harp can be adorned with inlay around the soundboard or on the pillar. See inlay options.
• It comes with a padded Cordura case, a full set of Camac Levers, a tuning key, and an owners manual.

See details of the Swan and Cygnet models

THE SERENADE has the same neck and pillar design as the Cygnet with a flat-backed soundbox made of laminated Okume, which is an African Mahogany. The neck is maple piano pin block, and more recently, to keep the weight at 20lbs, we have started making the pillar out of mahogany. (starting at $2995, shipping is $250-300 to anywhere in the US 48 states)

• The Serenade uses the same nylon string set as the Swan and Cygnet and has the lighter tension like the Cygnet. The Serenade is available with nylon or folk gut strings.
• The Serenade is 51 inches tall and weighs 20 lbs. It will fit in just about any car you might own. It is ideal for the harp student who wants to start with a less expensive and very nice instrument, for those who just want a smaller, lighter harp, for those who play in hospital settings, for smaller adults and children or for someone looking to fit a full sized harp into a small car. It would be a joy to any harper for a long, long time.
• There are six staining options on this harp: natural blond, amber, chestnut, and walnut, a very striking black stain (add $200) and an elegant indigo stain (see photos below). Notice the new Cygnet style feet in the photos below that now come on all of our Serenades.

The Serenade options:

• This harp comes with a flat back or a semi staved back
• This harp can be adorned with maple binding or pearl inlay on the pillar or around the soundboard. We also have a special Serenade called The Black Pearl harp with soundboard inlay.
• If you're tall, you can get taller feet.
• It comes with a padded Cordura case, a full set of Camac Levers, a tuning key, and an owners manual.

See details of the Serenade

 





The Serenade is so light you can carry it by the pillar.

The flat-back box fits very comfortably against your shoulder, however, because it was requested, we have designed a semi-staved back for this harp as well which gives even greater comfort. We have also just started making this harp with taller feet for the taller player.

Here are all the Serenade options

 

In summary:

• The Swan and the Cygnet have the same staved back solid wood soundbox. The Serenade is available with a semi-staved back.
• The Cygnet and Serenade have the same neck and pillar geometry although the Cygnet neck is made like the Swan neck in construction with bookmatched wood sandwiching the piano pin block.
• All harp models can all be strung in nylon or folk gut strings. The Swan and Cygnet can be strung in concert gut strings if ordered that way. (Do not string your lever gut or nylon Swan with Concert Gut strings!)
• The strings used on all the models are the same string sets. The bass wires are the same whether you get nylon, folk gut or concert gut.
• We can shorten the feet on our Swan model or we can make taller feet for the Cygnets and Serenades
• All models come with the same style padded Cordura case, a full set of Camac Levers, a tuning key, and an owners manual.

Gemini 72 Double Strung harp At last a full sized double harp! Experience the creative possiblilites of the Thormahlen Gemini 72 Double Strung harp with 2 rows of 36 strings. Incredible power and sound. It is strung like our other harps with concert spacing and tension. We can make it as a Swan ($7295) or a Cygnet ($6995). You choose. Shipping is $250-300 to anywhere in the US 48 states.

See more about the Gemini Double strung harp.

Read what our customers have to say about our harps on the endorsement page.

Here's a side trip you can take to learn more about shopping for a harp.