We look forward to Somerset every year - meeting new people, catching up with old friends, admiring the fine work of our harp-building colleagues, talking shop, and watching someone's face light up when they sit down behind their soulmate harp for the first time. If we had to complain about one thing, it would probably be the muggy heat in New Jersey in July. If we complained about a second thing, it would be that this fabulous festival is so far away from where we build our harps in Seattle! As we're packing up 12 boxes and loading them on two pallets to be trucked across the country, we find ourselves a bit envious of our colleagues who can stuff their harps in a van and drive there. But in the end, it's worth the sweat to be able to demonstrate our full line of harps and show off the hard work of our talented craftspeople. Will we see you there?
The 2023 Somerset Folk Harp Festival is July 20th through the 23rd in Parsippany, NJ.
If you're not attending the festival workshops, you can still drop by for the day and pick up a $10 pass that gives you access to the vast array of harps on display, as well as to some lunchtime concerts and mini-workshops and the harp tastings. Whether you're brand new to harp and just wanting to dip your toes in or you're actively shopping for a harp, you won't find a comparison experience like this anywhere else in the US! Being able to try out a variety of harps by different makers all under one roof is an invaluable experience. On top of that, the unique "harp tasting" event allows you to hear the same tune played on a dozen different harps without knowing which harp is which until the end. You might be surprised what your ears fall in love with!
These harps are all available for sale on a first come, first served basis. If it all possible, we appreciate being able to keep sold harps in our booth until the end of the festival so that the full line is available for people to see. Shipping a harp to you is always an option if you can't take it home with you, and we can also take an order to build your dream harp if you don't see exactly the one you want on this list.
Come check out our carbon fiber flight case! It fits most (but not all) 34-string and smaller harps, and we welcome anyone who wants to bring their harp by the booth to test out the fit.
If you've been dreaming of playing your Crescendo 34, FH34, or FH34S standing up, we'd love to show you our new Performance Stand and get your feedback. We're not quite ready to sell these yet, but it won't be long.
The Dusty Harp Pickup amplifies the natural sound of your harp, allowing you to be heard more easily, to record more easily, and to use effects pedals with your harp. We have versions for small and large lever harps and also for pedal harps. We'll have a couple of pickups installed in harps at the booth and would be happy to demonstrate how they sound. We can also show you what's involved in installing one yourself, including an option where you don't have to drill any holes in your harp.
Tired of tying the harper's knot when replacing broken strings? String Buttons are the harper's NOT! Come try it for yourself and see how easy it can be.
Whether your harp needs regulation (adjustments to touch up the intonation of the sharping levers), replacement soundboard eyelets, a buzzing string fix, or just a little TLC to clean up dirty areas, we have the supplies, tools, and instructions you need to do all of this yourself.
For a bit of lighthearted fun, we designed some harp-themed temporary tattoos to give away. We can help you apply one at the booth, or take it to your room for later.
