|
| |
Below are some comments made by either customers of Harps and
Harps or by those who have experienced our harps.
|
"I have had the pleasure
of playing a Brandden Lassells harp recently. I was most impressed
with the sound quality and fine workmanship of this instrument. The
dynamic range was widely varied due to the unusually full, rich sound and
I found the string tension to be evenly and suitable taut.
I have no hesitation in
recommending Brandden's harps as an excellent investment for any harpist
and recommending Brandden himself as an excellent and caring
craftsman."
Louise Johnson, Principal harp,
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, teacher and International performer. louharp@bigpnd.com |
|
"It may seem
strange that a competitor would recommend another builder's harps, but
that's exactly what we can do without hesitation with Brandden's
instruments. For sound quality and an eye for finish he's hard to pass up,
but you've got to book early as his waiting list seems to be forever
expanding.
We have known
Brandden's work for a few years now, and know him as a serious artisan and
a credit to his craft."
Warwick and Jacque Spring, Lyrebird Harps,
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
Hi everybody!
I've been meaning to post for a few months now about my experience with
one
of Brandden Lassells' harps, but better late than never, eh?
At the Somerset (USA) Folk Harp Festival this past July I had the very
good
fortune of seeing, hearing and playing one of Brandden's instruments, a
"Southern Cross" 22/16 cross-strung lap harp (proudly owned by S....
W..., hi Sam!). I was *extremely* impressed. Despite its small
size, this
harp had a strikingly big, open, and resonant voice; the string angles and
spacing were excellent; and the craftsmanship and finish work were
gorgeous.
If this instrument is any indication of what Brandden's other harps are
like -- and I have every reason to believe it is --, I very heartily
recommend that anyone with an eye or a yearning for a very fine harp take
a
virtual visit to his shop in Australia. He makes quite a few models
of folk
harps, and as well as custom-designed pedal harps (with Camac action),
plus
of course the cross-strung and other harps. Given current exchange
rates,
his prices are amazingly good too.
In case you missed it from his posts here, he is obviously an artisan (and
innovator) with a keen eye for detail, and having spoken with him via
phone
a few times I am happy to say he's very personable as well. His
website is
www.harps.com.au.
The usual disclaimers apply, just an impressed harp aficionado here...
with
a serious case of harp lust for one of his Southern Cross 36/25's.
:-) So
many harps, so little time!
As always --
Harper
Harper Tasche, Seattle, USA
www.harpcrossing.com |
|
"I am delighted
with my beautifully crafted harp. Its sound is vibrant and resonant
and the balance of the strings moving from treble to bass is well
graded. Combined, this makes an attractive, easily played instrument
that has a rewarding sound.
I was impressed
with Brandden's technical knowledge and at the same time his ability to
work flexibility and creatively with me the client to provide a truly customized
instrument.
Brandden has
made himself available to me during and after the making of my harp to answer
any queries and curiosities I have had about harp making.
I
enthusiastically endorse both his products and his service"
Jan Couchman, Music lecturer/performer/teacher, Woy Woy NSW,
Australia |
| "Brandden Lassells of Harps and Harps
has constructed a 40 string non-pedal fully levered harp for me.
This harp has surpassed my expectations and has been a joy to play.
It has a magnificent tone and keeps the tuning well and is well
balanced. The workmanship is of very fine quality making it a
beautiful instrument both visually and to play. Brandden offered a
number of designs and a wide selection of woods from which to choose and
was most helpful during the design phase and built exactly to
specifications. He is most knowledgeable and has given me helpful
advise and support following delivery. I would have no hesitation in
ordering another harp from Brandden."
M. K., Sydney |
| ......."By the way I had my first harp
lesson with ........ who used to play harp with the Tasmanian Symphony
Orchestra. She played my harp and was very impressed with the
quality of the sound and balance. Just thought you would like to
know."
J. W. Sydney, |
|
"thank you once again for your wonderful
work, it is sounding absolutely divine. Please thank Carol for me for
the beautiful dragon she has created, it is perfect.
Your effects have made the harp so very
special to me.
Thank you! :)"
J. Z., |
"Brandden, just to let you know one
year on...the harp has been a great success. She got a new teacher 6
months ago and has gone ahead in strides. The harp still sounds fantastic.
Everyone here in Melbourne including the teachers are impressed with it's
rich sound. At a harp concert today there were a couple of other
larger instruments including a big concert model and quite frankly the
sound from my daughters' was (to my biased ears!) better...pure and
clean. I'd be most surprised if she will ever trade this instrument...it
has also proved robust and easy to transport around. It has been in
School concerts, even playing with a brass band!.......... She has even
busked with it. I'm sure we'll be around in Gosford sometime in the
next year adding the extra levers. Thanks again"
A. B., Melbourne Australia
|
| "I wasn't going to bother
you again, but thought I'd let you know that A. and I played a gig on
Saturday, and much to my chagrin, not a single ohh or ahh was made over my
harp (by another maker). Your Kyla got all the attention, and she
did a wonderful job and sounded beautiful."
M., California, USA |
|
......."the harp is really beautiful with an
absolutely beautiful, full sound. All the notes sound as if they
come from the same harp, which not all harps can claim as a salient
feature. I instantly fell in love with the note soundings of this
harp; they are as good if not better than what I heard on the sound
samples on your website. I even did a few recordings of the harp
on my tape player and god did it sound beautiful. This harp has
surpassed my expectations in terms of the beauty of its sound.
A job well done Brandden!"
RT, New Mexico, USA |
Harp has arrived!!!!!!!!!!!!It is beautiful
and sounds fantastic. Will be in
touch soon. Such beautiful instrument warrants a cover-do you make
them?
Regards
A., Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Hi Brandden, So good to hear
from you. I absolutely love my harp so it will be very easy to
recommend you to anyone. I've been out of town for the past four
days or I would have responded to you sooner. I will go ahead and
email your potential customer and let her know how satisfied I am with the
harp you made for me..........
Dear ....,
Brandden Lassells gave me your name and
asked me to give you some feedback regarding my harp which you saw on
his website. Everything about the harp was custom-tailored to my
specifications, including the column, the choice of woods, artwork and
so on. So it is a unique creation!
The harp is as beautiful to hear as it is to
see and I have had many comments regarding the beauty of its tone.
Additionally, Brandden is an expert as to detail and craftsmanship
and throughout my dealings with him, he was flexible, conscientious and
exhibited an admirable level of high quality professionalism. You
would not be disappointed with any instrument he created, I assure you.
If you have any specific questions that you
would like to ask me, please feel free to email me.
Best of Luck,
J. S. Georgia, USA
Certified Music Practitioner
|
We've been staggered by the detail and
efficiency of your communications
and are very much looking forward to working with you in the future.
YOU ARE AWESOME.
K. W. Suva, Fiji Islands |
| "I got your harp which is a pure
wonder! Such a beautiful strong presence filling the room! A fairy! This
morning the music of it took my saddened heart to a world of wonder and I
cried and cried, and my pain was just washed away...it was pure magic!!!
So many thanks then for your magnificent work
with sincere gratitude," A.
And he sent a second testimonial, the same happy owner
"your harp is not just a harp but a boat to fairyland!!! it just
touches my heart so much thank you so much with a
lot of appreciation for your wonderful job"
A., Madras, India |
| Love the harp - the sound is truly
wonderful, even when I can't play a tune yet. I have to walk past and give
it a pluck everyday.
S. P. Sydney |
| A happy customer with 2 of his harps by
Harps and Harps, DH, Brisbane QLD Australia
Click for larger image
|
| |
More comments to be added soon and all are on file. |
