Wire-Strung Harps by Triplett
Harps with wire strings capture the Celtic imagination, and for good reason: the ancient Irish Celts played wire-strung harps, as did some of the other Celtic peoples. The clear bell-like tones of a good wire-strung harp are a haunting sound. If you are going to play wire harp, however, you need to understand that these strings are played with your nails, not the flesh of your fingers. (Historically, the harpers were punished by having their nails cut short, so that they could not play.) This means that the technique is different than that for standard nylon/gut harps; the fingers are shaped differently on the strings, and also a great deal of damping is required because wire rings on just about forever.
Although some harpmakers do not put levers on their wire-strung harps, Triplett will put their solid bronze blade levers with raised Celtic design on; it should be understood that levers will inevitably flatten a wire string somewhat, and possibly cause breakage more easily. Also, wire strings are generally more temperamental than nylon or gut with respect to breakage. Those who love wire strings put up with these things; it merely goes with the territory, as the saying goes.
One other thing: mathematically a wire string is only 60% as long as a nylon or gut string of the same pitch. This makes wire-strung harps smaller than you might expect, for the playing range that they cover.
All Triplett harps are available in cherry, maple, walnut or bubinga woods.
Prices shown may be out of date. Please check with us on this.
Avalon Wire 26 Harp
Avalon Wire 26. This new harp has a big sound, plus a unique
curved bottom that makes it easy to hold. Original laser engraved and handcarved artwork
on the forepillar and soundboard is designed by Steve Triplett and his uncle Richard
Triplett. Harp comes with full handcast blade levers, a custom case, and foldable display
stand that fits in the pocket of the case. Fancy tuning wrench included. $2695
Height: 35 inches
Weight: 12 lb.
Range: C up to G
Strings: Phosphor bronze
Luna Model Harp
Luna: This model of the Triplett
wire-strung harps has 35 strings and a staved-back soundbox. According to Triplett, this
harp is the best- sounding wire harp that they have ever produced. There are some special
features of this harp: Celtic hand carving and woodburning around the soundholes,
forepillar and cap; and also round mother-of-pearl handcut moons set into the forepillar
for dramatic effect (Luna is latin for moon). It comes in walnut,
cherry, maple or oak. The two shown at left are in natural walnut and natural maple. The
unique soundboard design will yield the best-ever sound of a wire-strung harp, according
to the makers.
Specs: Height 54 1/2 inches, weight 24 lb, 35 brass and phosphor bronze wire strings,
range A up to G (5 octaves).
Price: $5300, including the bronze Celtic-design blade levers, VBC fleece-lined case and
deluxe tuning key.
At left we show closeups of the carving and woodburning designs on the Triplett Luna wire-strung harp. Top left: interlace knot neck cap design; bottom left, Celtic key soundhole rosettes; and right, front forepillar, where the mother-of-pearl moons are set into a combination Celtic design.
Irish High-Headed 30-String Wire Harp
30-string Irish
high-headed harp: a medium-sized wire-strung harp with a useful range, easy to carry
around. Shown in natural walnut.
Specs: height 50", weight 20 lb, range C (two octaves below middle C) up to D (four
octaves).
Price: $3395. This includes Celtic-design blade levers, VBC carrying case and deluxe
tuning key.
Irish Low-Headed 25-String Wire Harp
25-string Irish low-headed harp. Excellent volume of sound,
traditional wire harp tone color. String spacing is on the narrow side. Shown in natural
walnut at left and in natural cherry below.
Specs: height 34", weight 10 lb, 25 phosphor bronze strings, range C up to F (3 1/2
octaves).
Price: $1450.
This does not include carrying case or blade levers.
Celtic bronze blade sharping levers $11.50 each.
VBC carrying case: $150
Other Information
Note: The Triplett warranty on new harps is now seven years. This
will apply to the new models; harps made before 2002 will have five-year warranties.
A very nice curved tuning key done in the same wood as your harp, with a raised carved
Celtic knot design comes with all harps that get a deluxe key included; otherwise the
curved tuning key is plain. See the main Triplett Harps page for a picture and description
of these tuning keys.
Unless other woods are also specified, Triplett harps come in a choice of natural maple,
walnut or cherry.
For a picture of the bronze blade levers with raised Celtic design, see the main Triplett
harps page.
Standard shipping costs on wire harps shipped directly from Triplett to you: on the
floor-standing models (Luna and 30-string wire), $175 to any residence in the United
States, via truck. The lap harps are $40 via UPS ground. If you wish your harp to shipped
by other means, or faster, this can be arranged.
There is no extra crating charge; this is included in the shipping charges.
For a picture of a VBC case, and description of optional wheels that can be ordered for
floor-standing harps, see the main Triplett Harps page.
Ordering information and Order form
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so after sending in an order on the order form, or after emailing a question, please
contact us again, as our reply may have been thrown in your
spam bin or may have returned to us. Exceptions: weekends
or when we note on our front page that we are
closed for any reason.
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The Harp and Dragon
25 Madison St, Cortland, NY 13045 USA
Telephone and Fax 607-756-7372