16 Strings Lyre Harp

I just got done tuning the harp. It took a while, but I'm used to tuning guitars. I used the "insTuner" app suggested in the Manual/Instructions that came with the solid Mahogany 16 sting open Lyre harp. I appreciate the generous spacing of the strings! A beautiful crafted, nice and heavy harp compared to the hollow body Harps, and with the brass strip holding the strings the hardware is better than Most. If You've tuned a six string guitar, Imagine trying to tune a "16 string" guitar without the tuning keys, and Your Directly turning the cord stock with the wrench; this Means the tiniest rotation Makes a big difference. The nice thing about the solid/open body Lyre harp, is once You have it tuned, it plays so beautifully: and, that solid body Makes for a long tuning hold on the notes. The absence of Keys Makes the tuning a bit harder, but also keeps people from detuning it when playing with it; So, I don't Mind the kids playing with it, as they cannot detune the harp as Easily as say the guitars. Arrived unscathed, and I couldn't be happier! Thanks for offering this product!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect at this price point, and with all the extra items that would be included. The instrument is very nicely crafted. There are no rough edges, and the strings, pegs and grommets are very nicely spaced and installed. It has a nice sound quality and has metal strings. All the items in the pictures were included. The tuning is a little tight, but not unexpected for an instrument with peg tuners. Initially it will take multiple tunings while the strings stretch, but over time I feel it will stay in tune, once the strings settle in, just fine. The gig bag is nicely made, I just wish it would have a bit of padding and a storage pocket, but for the price I can't really complain. I plan on transporting it in an additional padded bag that also will have pockets for the other items. I would definitely have no problems sharing this instrument with the grandkids. I also like this design, as it allows for the instrument to either be played upright, or to be played flat on a table or lap. A good option for those of us dealing with shoulder and back arthritis. The only thing I would change, and I have to admit that I don't know if it's an option, is that I would pay for this to be placed in an additional box for shipping. It was shipped in the factory box. While this box is sufficient for that purpose of enclosing the instrument and accessories together, it's not quite strong enough to be the main shipping box. During shipping, the box received a hole in it, and the instrument has a ding on it where the box was compromised. At least the ding is on the back of the instrument. Overall, I am quite pleased with this instrument. Good quality for the price.

I love it. I've been unable to play my many guitars due to my hands not cooperating. This sounds great. A note for people who might benefit from tuning suggestions: 1. Don't rush to tune it the day you get it. Take it out of the box and let it set out for at least a day to get up to the "room temp" in your house. I got a wood looking stand, which is two pieces that you slot together to make a curved guitar or small instrument stand. Works perfectly on the counter. 2. When you go to tune it the first time, know that it is going to take you about an hour to do it. You want to tune it very carefully, in TINY, less than 1/32 of an inch movements. 3. The tuning it "set for" starts with the largest string, on the left, as a "G" string. So, it's: G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A 4. I put my electric tuner, DEAD CENTER of the thinnest part of the lyre, clamped on right behind the strings. 5. Put your tuning tool on the peg, holding it in your hand like you would the handle of a mug of coffee. Put your THUMB on the peg. 6. You want to tune "up" to your note, not down from past your note. NOTE: The very first time you tune the strings, they will be "falling out of tune" quickly, as they stretch to their full length. This is normal. For THAT reason, when you do your first series of tunings, once you have "hit" the note, don't worry or try to "tune it back down " if you went slightly over the perfect center mark on your tuner, into the high side. Why, because, in this FIRST TUNING session, it's going to relax and drop to the low side of the center mark on your tuner. You will fix all that at the end of tuning all the strings. You might be fixing that for a couple days, until the strings have finished stretching. 7. Start on the heavy, "wound" "G" string on the left. Make TINY, TINY, MOVEMENTS. Squeeze your hand tight on the handle of tool, while your thumb rests on the peg. You will feel imperceptible movement on the peg. You do NOT want to give it a sweeping crank. It doesn't take much, once you are in range, to go way overboard. If you crank away in big movements, it's harder to tune and you could break a string. 8. Once you feel movement, remove the tool and pluck the string to see what the tuner says to you. Put the tool back on and repeat until you get the "G" string tuned. 9. Pluck the next "A" string and tell yourself "This is "A" as you run your finger UP the string to the peg. Doing that sounds stupid, but, if you have ever been on the "wrong peg" for the string you are plucking, and you keep cranking away, because, what you pluck and what you SEE on the tuner is not going to be match right if you are plucking the 3rd string but you are cranking away on the 4th tuning peg. I learned that the hard way while tuning a 12 string guitar. 10. So, tune that "A" string, then the next "B" string, the "C" string, the "D" string, the "E, the "F" and the "G" string. If you have trouble believing your tuner, it helps to pluck the strings you have already tuned, up to the one you are working on, to "Hear" where you are. 11. You are next going to tune the first of the thin, "unwound" strings, which is an "A" string. NOTE: The "unwound", thinner, strings, will break if wound too tightly. So, if you give it a bunch of sweeping cranks, instead of imperceptible movements, that might be your result, as the thinner strings require much LESS of an adjustment before they change notes. 12. After you tune that "A" string, go back to the FIRST, heavy, "G" and gently tune your way back all those strings to that "A" string you just tuned. TINY movements, as it doesnt take much pressure to change a note at that point. NOTE: As you retune the thin strings for the SUBSEQUENT times, it takes even LESS pressure, so, be careful. 13. Tune the "B" and "C" and "D" strings. 14. Go BACK to the first string again, and gently bring all the other strings back into tune, clear up to the "D" string you just tuned. 15. Tune the "E" and "F" string. 16. Go BACK to the first string, AGAIN, and bring them all into tune. BY NOW, YOU WILL NOTICE that you ARE able to get dead center on your tuner screen, without wavering over, as the strings are stretching and holding the notes better. 17. Tune the "G" and "A" strings. 18. Go BACK to the first "G" string and adjust the tuning again. 19. Play the instrument for awhile. Then, go back and adjust the tuning again. 20. Put it away on ata stand or some manner of tablet stand, to keep it at from having the bag or anything else accidentally touching the strings, and, allow it to rest at room temp to continue its "New String" stretching. When you pick it up tomorrow, and, thereafter, you will notice that the strings are staying in tune. Remember to never CRANK on these strings. Just tightening your hand on the handle, while it's on the peg, will cause imperceptible movements. For me, I would rather tune UP to a note than go back and forth, up and down, trying to hit the note perfectly. Always go up. The reason I did this, at length, wss because I read a bunch of comments for people who got discouraged or quit trying to tune their instruments, or, thought their instrument was defective. ( I read those reviews cumulatively across all brands of lyre reviews that I read). So, I though this might help somebody with their decision to try this kind instrument.

I love this instrument. It's so beautiful and it sounds amazing! I was pleasantly surprised by the addition of a metal strip at the base of the lyre harp that prevents the strings from resting on the wood. I believe this will significantly improve the durability of the structure. My only complaint is that the edges of the strings tied to the knobs at the top are extremely sharp and easily tears into your skin so I won't recommend this product for a small child. I received a number of knicks and cuts before I realized that I needed to avoid touching the knobs altogether... But apart from the wounds, lol, I'm sooo excited and happy to have this lyre harp!

Very good value for the money. Nice looking, good quality construction. It takes about a week to initially get it tuned and to get the strings properly stretched to stay in tune. It's vital that you understand this with just about any lyre. It's a regular situation and you just have to deal with it whenever you get new strings. This particular model is very nice. I would recommend it as a good starter lyre. Cheaper instruments will be disappointing.

My husband love this for his valentines gift

So I bought this item hoping to learn the lyre. I have multiple instruments and know my way around stringed instruments mostly guitar, mandolin and ukulele. When this item arrived I was ecstatic and immediately went to tune the instrument. I'm knowledgeable on different types of strings so I knew this wouldn't be much of an issue for me. I immediately went to tuning the item because of course when you receive this instrument it is not in tune (as to be expected). The strings were wrapped properly by the manufacturer (which was surprising) so I tuned all the strings to their proper pitches using a piano recording and gave the strings plenty of time to stretch. After a couple of days I would check the notes and retune as needed. I attempted to learn a few melodies and to no surprise the strings would go out of tune which was no big deal, I expected that so I would re-tune them and set the instrument down just to give it a little more time in case the strings were still stretching. However, after a few days of this, it was clear... the tuning heads do not lock into place. With every stringed guitar that I own..when you tune the string..they lock into place. Even the cheap tuning heads that I have will still lock into place. This lyre that I bought, will NOT lock into place. Every time you try to tune it, it will gradually unwind itself. I even went as far as to tuning each individual string an entire whole note above what it should have been and the strings would end up going flat. I did this a few times and managed to get a couple strings to stay in their respective lane, but obviously without the rest of the strings on course..the end result of the harmonics were an abysmal tone that you'd expect from the innermost regions of Hell. What should you expect from such an "affordable" instrument? It is hot garbage..and yes, I watched reviews on this exact item (from youtube) that had great things to say for it being the price it is. TLDR: Save your money. Invest in a true quality instrument. If the tuning heads would have locked in place, I could work around any other imperfections. You get what you pay for and I don't think a week long headache of $60+ is worth it. I give this: negative stars, because the time I wasted already, I'll never get back.

I would like to comment first on the Quality vs $$$…worth it! Don’t give up… is because of other people’s reviews.. it’s going to arrive untuned… loose strings. As a musician I am just saying be forewarned it Won’t!...be easy to tune “ Or any stringed instrument . Let me give you a more accurate idea of what this is going to be like… it will be a learning curve just as hard as learning your first song. But Worth it.. Yeah even after tuning it’s not going to sound good yet… give yourself some time . When you take it out of the box… a little adrenaline maybe? It is very Cool after all! A very short background on myself… my best student graduated from Julliard years ago and now is a professional teacher himself. Not to mislead…I am a Visual Artist for my living but have been a musician since I was 19 now 73…My own first teacher was second chair for the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra…Truth be told I have given very few lessons… to people because the person has to make me believe that after I make an effort they have to reciprocate by practicing . Here’s the thing though… I am picturing a young woman who gets this Lyre and expects “ With no musical experience to sound good right away… Of course you are not a student in my class… and want to learn this instrument at your own pace …and that is most probably even better because of my patience level! Every one learns differently… but Please give yourself the Patience you will need… the journey is worth it … and this product will get you started… remember though that this is a basic beginner instrument . The student I mentioned earlier.. his instrument cost over $10,000 dollars. The tuning in this will get you started with developing your ear so eventually you’ll will probably be able to tune it without the electronic tuner… but listen… if you’re gonna be hardcore about it “Obsessed!” I will say this to you! Practice! Practice! Practice! And don’t be surprised if after you make a little progress… you’ll be ready to take on more challenges in life… musical or not

Muito bem acabado, excelente produto. Tudo certo. Assim como qualquer instrumento de madeira com corda, precisa afinar no início diariamente por 1 ou 2 semanas

Muy bonito producto, excelente

Very nice instrument for a starter. Has lovely tone

Ein tolles Instrument. Wunderschõne Verarbeitung.

I was fortunate that my 16-string solid body mahogany lyre did not come with defects others have reported. It has a lovely sound and is discreet for apartment playing (hollow body likely has more punch). Two problems: (1) G3 is quite flat, but on day 3 it's slightly warmer than it was the first days. B5 had a buzzing noise in days 1 and 2, and while it's still there, it's barely noticeable and doesn't interfere with the note. Hope these issues continue to improve as the strings stretch out. (2) Tuning. You need to be careful tuning this. I knew going into it to be gentle, but I can easily see people snapping strings. Next, it does not hold tuning well for the first day. Forget tuning the whole thing and being out of tune - one or two notes is enough to go back and have them be flat. Day 2 had more permeance. On day 3 most strings were in tune, and after being put in tune they stayed that way throughout my music session. This instrument holds up well and provides great value for the money spent. I will likely upgrade eventually, but that would be for a louder instrument as my ability grows, as well as for a lyre with nylon strings rathee than these steel ones. Perfect for beginners.