Timothy Harps, Makers of Handcrafted Celtic Harps testimonials page

"Timothy is a rare musical gift. When I first began studying the harp, over a decade ago, I turned to Timothy to build me my very first custom-made instrument. Since then, I have often asked him to create several more harps, not just for me, but for my harp students as well. And now I have just received my dream harp from him - a magnificent 40 string Storm King - with a rich bass and an angelic treble range, perfect for both performing and recording. I am confident that this harp will last me a lifetime - along with my darling 26-string lap harp, that travels with me all over the world.

As a singer, musician, and middle-school band teacher, I greatly value an instrument maker who not only builds instruments of exceptional quality and longevity, but who also provides such considerate and exceptional customer service. Timothy has consistently 'gone the extra mile' for me. He is a generous luthier, a talented recording artist, an expert craftsman, and a trusted friend. "

My Storm King performs exceptionally in acoustic, amplified and recording situations.

I never imagined a harp with this level of quality could be created!"

"My name is Mary Anderson & I am a full time professional harper. I've toured extensively playing concert around the world and have over 10 recordings to my credit. I used to buy harps from the U.S. because none here had the qualities & stability I was looking for until I met Timothy. I've known Timothy's harps for fourteen years and they have progressed from pretty good to top of the pack anywhere in the world! I traded my Rydecki harp in to buy one of Timothy's harps because it was lightweight, fit in my car easily, had a beautiful look and the nicest, most even tone I have ever had in a harp. The price in Canadian funds was also a boon! If I could buy any harp from any maker again, I'd pick a Timothy harp"

"I purchased my first 26 string harp from Timothy late 2000. As I've been told, I suffered the "always wanting one more string" syndrome. Subsequently, I bought Timothy's 33 string model and in 2003 bought his 36 string Llyr model. Believe I've now settled down and I fully expect to have a wonderful relationship with Lady Llyr for quite a number of years.

There was no problem selling the first two harps. Both the buyers and I were happy with the price. All three harps were excellent value, have had a beautiful rich sound and were wonderfully crafted. It was with trepidation that I had to sell the first two.

I take the harp with me to many ceilis, sessions and solo performances. It is lightweight and very easy to transport. So many people comment on the beautiful tone and how well my harp can be heard amongst other instruments"

Two years ago I heard someone play a folkharp and I decided I wanted to learn. After going to numerous websites and doing some comparison shopping, I decided to order the 26 string Skye by Timothy Harps. The Skye looked very attractive and I wanted to shop Canadian. What a little jewel my Skye turned out to be! After some months of learning I had a performance in our local Arts Centre. The fresh crisp sound of the Skye was well up to it and afterwards many people wondered where my amp was. They could not believe that the sound was not amplified because it filled the hall. This year I decided to “graduate” to a bigger harp. This time the choice was not difficult because I knew that I wanted another Timothy Harp. I now am the proud owner of the 36 string Llyr and it has the quality and it has the sound I expected from a Timothy Harp. In the past two years I have had the opportunity to play and hear different harps and I found out that my Skye (and now my Llyr) had the best sound I've encountered!

My Llyr harp has a warm tone throughout, the upper register sings beautifully, and the bass is deep and rich. Best of all, Timothy stands behind his workmanship 100 percent. And I always get compliments on how beautiful the instrument is, even before I begin to play!

I am writing to thank you for a really wonderful harp. You were so easy to work with despite my myriad of custom requests. The resulting Llyr 36 is a really beautiful harp in so many ways. I would encourage anyone to have you build them a harp. Not only are your instruments excellent, but your customer service is also excellent. I always felt confident working with you. You were responsible and respectful of my questions. You seem to enjoy a challenge of something out of the ordinary as well. I am glad you call your harps "Timothy Harps" because they reflect a combination of a great instrument with great service.

I wish you all the success in growing "Timothy Harps." Thank you for a wonderful instrument and a wonderful experience.

Dear Timothy

You'll be gratified to hear that Síobhan won the Midwest Fleadh in Cinci, qualifying to compete in the The Fleadh Cheoil na h'Éireann (All-Ireland) held at end of August 2004 in Clonmel Co Tipperary. This she did and once again won the All-Ireland Championship on the Celtic harp U12 against 13 other regional winners. Síobhan will actually start teaching harp this year (just turned 12!) and taking music lessons to actually read notes (she's a great ear player) this year. We will no doubt recommend your instrument to new students as the need arises.

She has a great run due in no small part to the excellent instrument you made which stays in remarkable tune, even after transatlantic travel. The instrument has allowed her not to be distracted by an instrument that won't keep a note and allowed her to focus on actually playing and improving. Grainne Hambly, the judge at the Fleadh last year in Ireland commented on the great sound from your "small" harp.

The featherweight Llyr is a magnificent achievement. It is perfect for classical and Celtic music as well as bedside therapeutic work with patients, from neonates through the dying.

Its tone is rich and clear in all registers. The tension is even throughout. The open base allows sound to resonate on hard floors, spreading evenly around a room and being equally audible throughout. The long sustain makes it particularly suited to accompanying a storyteller.

The light weight (20 pounds without the levers) and beautiful balance make it easy to move away swiftly if medical staff must rapidly reach a patient. I feel about this harp the way Yo-yo Ma might feel about his cello. It is a true partner.

"When our daughter first asked for lessons to play the harp, I had a hard time knowing where to turn. A relative in the music industry referred us to Timothy Harps at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival. Timothy was displaying his collection of Celtic Harps there, and we were quite impressed with the crowd gathered at his booth. At the time, our daughter was only 8 years old, and we were reluctant to make a purchase before she had a chance to give it a try.

Timothy advised us to rent a harp for 6 months, get a feel for whether or not she wanted to continue, and then we could talk about buying. Certainly, before the 6 months were up, we had ordered our first harp. It sounds as rich and clear as it did the day we brought it home. Anytime we need advice or a quick visit to adjust or finetune any component of the harp, we are made to feel most welcome. The guarantee Timothy Harps provides seems to go on forever."

"I was a little scared at the age of 8 to try something new, but when I met Timothy, I knew I had a friend. Timothy has helped me in many areas of harping, including his extensive knowledge of Celtic culture. The workmanship, quality and dedication he shows to harp building is not only his business, but his passion. I know Timothy Harps has won awards and done shows all over Canada and the United States, but in my mind, all that counts is that I can depend on him to support me in whatever I am doing with my harp. On the one occasion that I did need a small repair, I had a performance the next day, and he made sure I had a harp to play. What more could I have asked for? My second instrument will be a Timothy Harp too!"