Boulevard Classic 34
Overview
- 34 Strings, 4¾ octaves
- Laminated birch soundbox
- Comfortable staveback design
- Concert-tension gut strings
- Full set of Loveland sharping levers
- Removable stand included
- Deluxe case included
The 34-string Boulevard was designed with classical players and students in mind, and is quite different in feel and sound from our other harps. The tone is warm and full and the higher-tension concert gut strings provide a shorter sustain than the “typical” Dusty Strings sound. This makes the Boulevard an ideal choice for classical repertoire and for players and students who want a feel similar to that of a pedal harp. It also sometimes appeals to harpists who simply like a less bright sound than our other harps.
Based on our popular Ravenna 34, the Boulevard features the same innovative and affordable construction technique, the comfortable staveback body, and the easily removable stand. We designed it to be as lightweight and portable as possible in a full-range harp, without sacrificing the quality of the hardware or the construction. The package includes a full set of Loveland sharping levers, tuning wrench, stand and CD34 case.
The four-legged stand is quickly and easily removable without needing to turn the harp over, and comes apart to fit in the case pocket. It includes 5-inch legs, but 8-inch legs can be substituted if you prefer the harp to be situated higher up.
The case is made of durable, water-resistant cordura with thick foam padding, a convenient shoulder strap and a multitude of pockets for your stand, music, extra strings and other accessories.
Price: $2895 Includes CD34 case, stand with 5-inch legs and T-handle tuning wrench.
Options
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The Dusty Harp Pickup installed Price: $375 |
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Drop-down leg for on-the-go playing Price: $70 |
Specifications
Range
- 34 strings
- 4¾ octaves
- Low: C two octaves below middle C
- High: A 2¾ octaves above middle C
String composition
- High treble range: nylon monofilament
- Lower treble and mid-range: concert gut
- Bass: steel core with metal wrap
Sharping levers
- Full set of Loveland levers
Woods
- Soundboard: laminated Finland birch with clear finish
- Neck and pillar: solid beech with black lacquer finish
- Soundbox: laminated Finland birch with black ash-grained vinyl veneer
Weight
- Harp: approximately 21pounds
- Stand adds 3 pounds
- Case adds 7½ pounds
Note: the weight can vary by up to 2 pounds, depending on the density of the particular tree from which the harp was made.
Approximate Dimensions
- Height at back of harp: 43 inches
- Height at front of harp: 48½ inches
- Stand adds 5, 8, or 11½ inches
- Maximum soundbox width: 13 inches
- Widest part of harp (front to back): 25½ inches
Testimonials
"LOVE the harp! My previous harp was a 36-string floor lever harp with metal and nylon strings. Making the transition from nylon to gut was a good move for me. I like the shorter sustain, grip, higher tension, and sound of the gut strings. The compact size of the Boulevard was an added bonus too. Thanks for making such a harp!"
-K.K. (Michigan)
"I have to take the time here to shout the praises of the very new Boulevard, which was seriously impressive and had the same magic about it as the FH, despite being in the Ravenna price range."
-Mae McAllister (Cambridgeshire, UK)
"When I first touched the strings of the new Dusty Strings Boulevard at the Somerset Folk Harp Conference, my initial reaction was one of “oo, oh, ah….yes!” The sound is more "mellow" than the typical Dusty Strings sound and is closer to that of a pedal harp. What surprised me was how "easy" it was to play this harp. I don't feel like I have to work hard to get a decent tone out of it. It's really light on the shoulder - perhaps that's why it feels "easier" to play than my pedal harp. It has a shorter sustain than the other Dusty Strings - but that is characteristic of a higher tension instrument. The tone is very consistent from top to bottom. Even the bass wires sound mellow and not brassy. This harp will go anywhere an also-pedal harpist might travel – be it banquet, beach or bedside! Clearly, Dusty Strings did considerable research in developing this wonderful new model, which I highly recommend."
-Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher (Albany, NY)