The initial inspiration for our Heritage Harps was these two photos, especially the first one.

Time line is 1600-1800 AD. This is a not very well known hooked Tyrolean harp. It is displayed in The Crosby Brown Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

I liked the simplicity of this early harp design but what impressed me the most is the double curve on the neck. This was not done from an aesthetic perceptive so you have nice curves but from an understanding of the stringing that used metal wrapped bass strings. At that time stringing musical instruments was not very well understood and was mostly done experimentally with limited stringing material.

Having a double curve where loaded metal wrapped bass strings start gives a more seamless transition in the tonality of the instrument.

I designed my Heritage harps using modern stringing strategies for an even and full acoustic sound;  using modern string dynamics, range and spacing for standard playing techniques used today; and finally using construction methodology that is more robust so it could withstand the higher tension of the full range of strings for a greater sound projection.

Our Heritage harps are not historical harps but modern harps with a deep resonance that will move you. The classic look of this early harp is an inspiration of those early days when gentle music fed our souls.