Due to popular demand, the Serrana 34 is now available in black! The original burgundy with the black pillar is still an option.
The inspiration for the Serrana came primarily from directors of school mariachi ensembles who had been using the Ravenna 34 in their groups and were looking for something a little more in the traditional mariachi harp style. They appreciated how easily-available and affordable the Ravenna was and how easy it was to get replacement strings and to do the inevitable maintenance that well-used school instruments need. We modeled the Serrana after the Ravenna, giving it the straight column and carved neck that are commonly seen in Mexican harps, as well as lighter-tension strings that are spaced more closely together to facilitate traditional mariachi playing techniques. With a full set of sharping levers, a pair of internal extendable legs, and the option to add the Dusty Harp Pickup, it's ready to bring on the competition stage.
Here's a fantastic high school group:
Here's what it sounds like in the hands of a professional mariachi harpist:
Since its arrival on the scene, the Serrana has proved to be a great choice for mariachi groups, and has also suprised us with its popularity among Celtic players and others who have fallen in love with the light weight, the captivating sound, the ease of playing on light-tension and closely-spaced strings, and how well it lends itself to electronic effects. It's been really fun for us to see players like Emily Hopkins having so much fun with what the Serrana can do when run through effects pedals.
What else can you do with a Serrana? Original compositions...
Paraguayan music...
Colombian jazz harp...
And anything else you can dream up!
