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Salvi Prima 38 (or any other small floor harps)

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Home Forums Harps and Accessories Salvi Prima 38 (or any other small floor harps)

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • #73967
    HBrock25
    Participant

    Hello,

    I currently own a harpsicle brand Fullsicle lap harp. This was my beginner harp, and I have been learning on it. However, I want to move up in quality and size to a small floor harp, and I’ve been looking into the Salvi Prima 38. http://www.salviharps.com/index.pl?pos=02.05&lbl=Lever,Student&lang=en

    I have no intention of ever becoming a professional harpist or what have you: I play harp for my enjoyment. However, my friend and I have been toying around with making music with harp and mandolin, sort of like an out-there indie band. We both sing and I think the two instruments are a beautiful combination. I like the more casual, fun style of celtic harps, as I think it suits my purposes and the environments I’ll be playing in much more (as opposed to concert-style harps).

    I’m still a student so saving up for a harp is difficult, which is why 5000$ is about my limit. The Salvi Prima harps sit at around 3000$ which is an attractive price for me. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with them? Does anyone recommend them? or do you know of any other small floor harps within that price range that you would most definitely recommend?

    Thanks.

    #73968

    I would recommend a Lyon & Healy Prelude. The sound is impressive and although it looks like a small pedal harp, it weighs only 42lbs. If you live near the Madison, Wisconsin area, you would be welcome to play mine. Actually… you could buy it if you liked it : ) (I just bought a lovely L&H Pedal harp and having both is a bit excessive.) Good luck with your hunt. There are many nice instruments to be found between 3-5k. (I’m selling mine for $3400 (btw).

    #73969
    jessica-wolff
    Participant

    At the upper end (pricewise), I’d consider Heartland Harps Sylvan (36 strings) or a used 36-string Dusty Strings. Also a used Josephus Harps 38-string model, probably hard to find. I like the Heritage model, but you might like the Dayspring model (more Celtic) better. They also have some smaller, less expensive models. In the middle, R Harps Merlin model. This is not solid wood all through, but it has an awesome sound. At the lower end, there’s the Dusty Strings Ravenna 34 and the Heartland Harps Dreamweaver (34 strings). At the lower end these are mostly glorified plywood, but well-built and will do the trick. I think the Ravenna is unattractive, but it comes with options that

    If you visit Harplust List, you will get the URLs for all of these and more and can see them and in many cases hear them in situ or on YouTube. You don’t say where you live. All the ones I mentioned are U.S.- or Canada-based. It makes a difference in terms of shipping costs, taxes, &c. Also check exactly what they’re offering: case or levers or extra set of strings thrown in? Size: can you fit them in the trunk of your car? Do they only become floor harps when you put them on a stand or you sit on a very low stool? Do they use strings so expensive that a replacement set becomes a problem? What is the string tension like?

    Here’s one that’s not on the Harplust List: Gerhard Wanney of Thetis Island, Canada. Unusual Celtic-style harp. Also within your budget only as a used harp and hard to find as such.

    Don’t know much about them myself, but Thormahlen Harps and Blevins Harps come well-recommended by other folks on this list.

    Can you tell? I’ve been shopping around myself.

    #73970
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Thank for the information (: Sorry, I forgot to say that I live in the greater Toronta area of Ontario, Canada.

    Thanks, I’ll look in to some of your suggestions.

    #73971
    jessica-wolff
    Participant

    Forgot to finish a sentence in first paragraph. If you pay a little more, you can get the Ravenna in all black. Still more and you can get it in burgundy or green.

    #73972
    barbara-brundage
    Participant

    I don’t know how the economy is in Canada, but for sure in the US there’s never been a better time to buy a used harp. It might be worth checking to see what’s out there. You could get a top of the line instrument within your budget, with a little luck.

    #73973
    HBrock25
    Participant

    Hello!

    #73974
    Ann
    Member

    Hi Shivhan,

    Since you live in Canada, be sure to check out West Coast Harps based in British Columbia [West Coast Harps]. They are very knowledgeable and willing to help, carry several makers &

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