Just got my 19-string mahogany lyre harp and I'm absolutely in love! The wood has this warm, rich look that makes me feel like some ancient bard every time I pick it up.
The sound is surprisingly full for such a compact instrument. At first I was worried about tuning (total newbie here), but the included wrench and extra strings gave me the confidence to experiment. Pro tip: go slow with the tuning - these strings need time to settle!
The carrying case is sturdier than I expected, with nice padding and pockets for all the accessories. I've already taken it to two picnics and it survived my clumsy handling perfectly.
What surprised me most was how quickly I could make pleasant sounds. Even random plucking creates this magical, ethereal music that makes my cat come running (either to enjoy or escape, not sure which).
The only hiccup? That first string breakage scared me to death! But replacing it was easier than I feared thanks to the clear engravings showing where each string goes.
After two weeks, I'm still discovering new tones and possibilities. It's become my evening meditation - just me, some candlelight, and this beautiful little harp creating moments of pure magic.