First of all, you have to decide how you will be using your harp: You won’t need a big one if you think you will carry it on your back everywhere you go (to play in the woods for example) ; If you often play in a band, a 36 strings harp would be perfect.

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When you have decided the size of your harp, the next thing to be aware of is the quality of the manufacture : one doesn’t just become a harpmaker.

The sound board is generally made in several pieces of spruce,but at least it seems to be fragile and very sensitive of temperature and climate changes.It could be also made in a very good plywood and the resonance is also very good . I experienced this way for one year now and people are very happy with their harps. You must also check that the strings are parallel to each other and that their spacing is increasing. For example, for a 34 strings harp, that spacing will go from 12 mm for the high-pitched strings to 18 mm for the low ones.

The semitone systems must not be able to cause damage to the strings.

The sound box is made of solid wood .Some harps manufactures make all in plywood and glue veneer (mahogany or cherry) The outlook is beautiful but it is not solid wood: check inside the instrument.

The harp should not be too heavy to have a comfortable contact with your shoulder.