The PennyHarp
The PennyHarp is the latest model from Newsom Harps—a beautifully crafted instrument designed for novice players, music therapists, and anyone seeking a portable, high-quality harp. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered to deliver exceptional sound, striking aesthetics, and effortless playability. Made from premium wood, it offers both durability and elegance, while featuring top-of-the-line hardware for optimal performance.
In Ireland, Celtic harps have long appeared on pennies, and finding one with the harp side facing up is said to bring luck—thus the expression finding the “lucky penny.” While Canadian pennies don’t feature a harp, they bear the maple leaf. As a nod to the harp’s Irish roots and a celebration of Canadian craftsmanship, each PennyHarp proudly displays a discontinued Canadian penny. It’s a small but meaningful tribute to the heritage, charm, and artisanal spirit behind this humble yet mighty harp.
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Number of strings: 27
Top note: A
Lowest note: C (1 octave below middle C)
String material: Nylon (monofilament)
Sound box material: Sapele
Sound board material: Aircraft birch plywood
Neck and Pillar material: Sapele
Finish: Hand rubbed oil-varnish
Body style: Rectangular / trapezoid
Sharping levers: Camac
Base: Removable legs
Weight: 12 pounds
Height (with legs installed): 50 inches
Leg length: 12 inches
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Carrying case
Tuning handle
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Limited warranty of 1 year, non-transferable
Build by Newsom Harps in Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada
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Increase the range of your harp.
base model has no lever
second tier model has levers on B, C and F strings (enables playing in most commonly keys)
Full set of levers (on all strings) offers the maximum music making opportunity.
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Each harp is adorned with a Canadian penny. When you order a PennyHarp, you can select the year of your choice or provide your special penny.
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Pick it up at Newsom Harps Studio (in Bragg Creek, Alberta) - Appointment required
Delivery - Using Canada Post or DHL
What’s in a PennyHarp
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![Wooden harp standing on three legs]()
THE BODY
The trapezoid body maximizes the harp’s resonance and sound projection. The sound holes further support those functions.
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![Close-up of a harp's wooden frame and strings with tuning pegs]()
PERSONALIZE YOUR PennyHarp
When you buy a PennyHarp, you are invited to personalize the instrument by selecting a penny of your preferred year, making it yours. We have pennies from most years.
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![Close-up of a wooden guitar body showcasing grain and craftsmanship.]()
REFINED DESIGN
Every millimetre counts when creating an instrument that is visually pleasing, comfortable to play, light, strong, and enjoyable to listen to.
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![Wooden lever harp with colored strings shown from an angled view against a white background.]()
CAMAC LEVERS
The basic PennyHarp can be augmented with top-quality Camac sharping levers. Levers allows you to increase your range of music. Consider adding three sharping levers per octave or sharpening levers on all strings.
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![Wooden harp with strings]()
THE SOUND BOARD
The soundboard is built with aircraft birch plywood, offering strength, stability, lightness and sound quality.
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![close-up of wooden harp with three-legged stand]()
THE LEGS
Like the high heels of a lady’s shoes, the legs offer elegance, height and stability. The legs are removable to facilitate fitting the harp in the carrying case
PennyHarp’s Carrying Case
Designed for the PennyHarp, each case has a strong nylon outer shell with internal padding and soft velvet inside lining, offering excellent protection against moisture and shocks. The case has sturdy carrying handles and a shoulder strap. The front pocket accommodates the legs and has extra space for your tuning handle and other necessities.
Each PennyHarp is supplied with a carrying case.
