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For more information and pictures of our lever harps please click here to go to our new website.
NEW lever HARPS
We sell our own bespoke range of lever harps. Models include the lightly strung Nightingale EX, Nightingale, Blondel, and Glastonbury, and the concert gauge strung Avalon and Albion. You can read a brief history about their conception and manufacture by clicking here.
The Nightingale EX
35 string extended soundboard carbon composite lever harp.
Price: £7195 | More Details...
The Blondel
The Blondel is a lightly strung 34 string lever harp, spanning 6C to 1A.
Price: £5995 | More Details...
The Avalon
The Avalon has 34 concert gauge strings spans 6C to 1A and features our special semi-tone levers.
Price: £5995 | More Details...
The Glastonbury
The student version of the Blondel.
Price: £4995 | More Details...
The Nightingale
34 string carbon composite lever harp.
Price: £6195 | More Details...
The Albion
The student version of the Avalon.
Price: £4995 | More Details...
Traveling Practice Harp
The purpose of this "instrument" is to prevent the softening of the finger tips and to aid in the practice of finger positioning – particularly when on vacation or when you are away for an extended period from your harp.
Price: £375 | More Details...
niebisch & tree lever HARPS - A BRIEF HISTORY
Niebisch & Tree Harps started out as concert harp repairers only. However, after only a few years in business, we decided to design and build a range of lever harps. We made the decision after hearing many complaints about the quality of small harps that were available and the very ineffective semitone blades that were the only system available at that time.
Starting with our own design of semi-tone levers, we designed a range of lever harps based upon the fundamental design and construction concepts that are the basis of concert harps. We called upon our intimate knowledge of the structure of concert harps and of all the great harp makers. Just as importantly, we knew the weak points and how to deal with them due to the very nature of our work as harp repairers.
Initially, we only made the Blondel and Glastonbury models, which are lightly-strung harps. Prior to about 1960, that is how clarsach harps were strung. To our minds, that method of stringing a harp still provides the true singing silvery tones attributed to the lever harp; that is so long as they are designed specifically for a particular gauge of strings. The point being that a light gauge middle C string has to be longer than a concert gauge one to produce the same note with the correct tension. That is why the light strung harps are taller than our concert gauge harps.
Due to the demand from harp teachers for a lever harp that can be used as a stepping-stone to the concert harp, we then designed the Avalon and Albion models. These are strung in concert gauge and, therefore, have a very similar feel and tone to a concert harp. This means, when the student moves onto the concert harp, their fingers will not suffer due to the sudden increase in string tension that would be the case if they moved from a lightly strung small harp.
Remember when choosing a harp the first and most important thing is that you love the tonal qualities of the instrument, only then should you consider the quality of the semi-tone levers, the wood and the construction of the harp. To that end, we try to keep one of each model on display in our workshop for harpists to see and play. So please give us a ring and make an appointment to come in and try our models out for yourself. We are sure you will find them as satisfying to play as we find satisfying to make.
