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From: Ken Dean
Production: JHG2008
Date: 2/17/2008
Time: 3:10:42 AM
Based on personal experience, you should try to have a variety of 'Harps in different keys to suit the situations you will likely encounter. So much depends on whether you will be amplified or not. Right off the bat, the Horzing Coal Black is surprisingly strong and works for a wide variety of styles. I have played them unamplified with a period instrument ensemble (for the Albrechtsberger Concertinos) and can be heard well in a 100 seat hall with good acoustics. The Horzing Jakutic is louder and very well balanced for my style of playing. The Szlagyi Black Fire is maybe a hair louder than the Jakutic, but may not be right for most situations. The Schlutter is incredibly loud, but may be more difficult for some to work the overtones. The Gohring is something of a special case - while it is generally softer, it has a smooth, sustained tone that can be great for solo work or paired with single instruments. Hate to bring you bad news, but you will probably end up buying a lot of instruments to find out what you really like.