I tried the cheapest 36-string Celtic harp on the market - Gear4music 800 euro harp unboxing review

Описание: Yes, I am welcoming a brand new Celtic harp to my instrument collection today! But why, why, why, you may sigh, knowing that (1) I have way too many harps already (says my family, miserably squeezed in our cluttered home), and (2) we’re talking about a cheap, Pakistan-made instrument here (which as a principle will horrify 99% of the harpist community). And sorry by the way, but when I say “cheap”, I actually mean “cheap compared to premium Celtic harps” for which you won’t pay less than 2500 euro for a newly built 36 string instrument.

So let me tell you my excuse for this.

1. I’ve come across so many students who dream to play the harp but simply can’t afford an instrument. Premium brands, new or second hand, are beyond most people’s budget. And cheap brands are risky. This is just not fair. I want to keep exploring options at the lower end of the price range and see how we can make them work for those students, so I was very keen on testing this one. Yes, there have been many horror stories circulating about poor quality Pakistan-made instruments, but I’m optimistic - an instrument can be made in Pakistan but designed, checked and regulated by a reliable reseller, and end up being in perfectly fine condition. This is the case with the harp I just bought (to my delight, a reassuring sign that those quality checks were made is that all levers are perfectly adjusted, something that can be a problem with low quality instruments). Granted, you cannot expect the same delightful playing experience you’d get from a premium brand, but having access to a decent instrument for a third of the average price is definitely opening up new possibilities for a lot of would-be harpists, and I’d love to encourage that by experiencing the instrument myself.
2. I must confess I also have an hidden agenda - even crazier than my hope to give everyone access to the harp... I am planning to paint this harp! It is totally crazy because I am absolutely hopeless with graphic arts (and that’s an understatement). But I’ve had this dream in my head for a while. And I really liked the idea of not paying too much (relatively speaking) for an instrument I may disfigure with my random painting skills...

Stay tuned (pun intended) for more music videos with this respectable 36-string lady. You may find it’s the right match for your music journey!

Listen to a traditional Irish tune played on this same harp:
   • Irish Music Soundcheck: I tried the cheape...  

#harpforall #musicforall

PS Where to buy: https://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-B...
Instrument cost was 802 euro and shipment cost was 21 euro.
It was delivered to my home in Belgium in 2 days.
Package included harp, padded transportation bag, 2 tuning wrenches and a full set of replacement strings. 2 year guarantee

PPS This is not a sponsored review. I am in no way affiliated with Gear4music, I bought this instrument with my own money and all opinions expressed are my own.