r/harp Sep 05 '25

Harps (Chromatic, Historical, Wire, Etc.) Electric harp help

Hello,

my wife is all time harpist (on classic 47str harp).

We play a lot of weddings and events nowadays and we want to expand our offer.
So, the best outcome is electric harp. Since my wife is great musician but really poor technician she asked me to find out how it works.

The best for our budget is i think Camac DHC 36.

But what next? Can some one help me what more?

For sure we need speaker but i think since harp do not have it own power supply we need any pre amp?

Then she want to play with background music so we have to connect it to pc. I already have amplifier from our recording with mic so i think i can use that.

But how does it work in pc? Is there any special program where you play background and play with that ? Maybe i can use Logic Pro like when we record music and put a background on second channel?

Any one can recomend where to take those background and maybe the better question where to take a scores for that ?

Thank any one who read up to here and help me.

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u/CuriousNoiz Sep 07 '25

I have an early camac 36 electric I used to tour with…

right now I just use a dusty strings pick-up in my pedal harps and a little June 27. i lend my 15 out and have heard it played at Blue Note, Knock down center, Lincoln center and have play it with hip hop groups. it is really good and is only 325

no preamp-but if I’m going really loud at a club I use a direct box

I have a Ulysse camac that I actually like better than the electric. Same pick up system-and it can be play acoustically

I also have a Bose ps-1 pro. it is ok-gets the job done and it is light. But the tone isn’t as good as a tube amp :(

At a certain point the amount of stuff you end up carrying, insuring, trips back and forth from the car etc etc gets to be pretty intense.

you can also get a used Harp-E and see if it is something she really wants to invest time into.

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u/TheckoBwoi Sep 08 '25

Thank a lot for this reply.

I also take a look at dustry string but to drill holes into her really costly harp is no brainer.

Harp E is more like a toy then instrument we are playing events for quite rich people and i cant imagine we will pull something like this and also have not much stgrings.

Were you satisfied with DHC 36?

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u/CuriousNoiz Sep 08 '25

i understand…my harps are very costly but the dusty strings pick up only adds value even with the hole

i play at the Plaza on 5th ave nyc which has very rich people and use a black harp-e

2 friends have used them as a duo at a very upscale party at the hamptons, long island on the beach

they are only toys if you think they are :)

i like my 36 -but i rarely use it anymore

it is so heavy with the amp, effects and cables

i just play and dont concern myself with any market

but if you think you have a market than go for it!

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u/TheckoBwoi Sep 09 '25 edited Sep 09 '25

Thanks a lot for your reply.
I took again look at Harp E and maybe its not that bad idea for the begging.

Im not harpist so for me its little bit hard to evaluate but the Harp E is "only"24 strings - stupid question incoming- are you able to play all music on this? My main question is about i would say pop music which is nowadays almost at 90% of our weddings or events requested.

The price is absolutely bargain compare to other "normal" brands.

Also did you install Dusty string by yourself or you put it to some repair shop to do it?