Rent to Own New Salvi Titan or Rented Triplett N-30 to begin?

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This topic has 6 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 3 months ago by elizabeth-chang.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)

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January 17, 2014 at 12:05 am #77964

elizabeth-chang
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I am starting harp lessons soon, and I am looking at instruments. I realize the sound preference is entirely personal, so I wouldn’t ask for help on that – but financially, which of these two makes more sense for an adult learner who has barely plucked a string on a harp once? Is there a major quality difference between an older (not sure how old) Triplett or the new Salvi? I think I’ve read that newer instruments have trouble holding tune until they’ve settled a bit – is that a big enough problem that it turns people off from playing? Same with going for the outright purchase of that particular instrument – has anybody had any problems with the quality of that particular model that I might be regretful of later? I know Salvi is a good brand, but they’re marketing this as an entry level harp, I think. Is that asking for trouble in the long run should I stick with playing? If I don’t stick with playing, how difficult would it be to sell this particular model to somebody else in a year or so?

Are there any other questions I should be thinking about?

January 17, 2014 at 5:08 pm #77965

Tacye
Participant

Does your teacher have a preference?

I feel that 34 or more strings is a plus point, as not having a string you need is a nuisance. The Titan has 38, while the Triplett I assume 30, which is respectable but more printed music will call for strings you don’t have than with 38. Does the Triplett in question have full levers? It is a nuisance again needing to retune to play a piece in Eb followed by one in C. How will you transport the harp and will you need to take it to lessons? Smaller harps have advantages.

New instruments do need a bit more tuning, but so do harps in a new climate or new strings. Buy an electronic tuner and get used to it!

January 17, 2014 at 11:30 pm #77966

elizabeth-chang
Participant

The teacher said that the Triplett is probably fine, but she does like more strings and was the one that recommended I look at Salvi while I was going to see the Triplett anyway (they’re near each other and a few hours from where I live). I have a minivan with a fold-down row of seats, so I don’t think transport will be a problem. I do need to ask her about the logistics of our lessons. I’m not sure if I’ll have to take a harp with me or not – that’s a VERY good question I didn’t think of, and I’ll definitely ask that of her.

One other general question – I used to play the violin, and I remember how older instruments were almost always better made (and better sounding) than newer ones in the same price range. Is that true of harps as well, or is newer better because of the constant tension of all those strings? Or is it not as big of a concern either way with harps? Do harps tend to have a lifespan? I know there’s some huge concert grands that are a hundred years old out there, but do the smaller ones age well?

(Sorry for asking a zillion questions. I’ve tried to look around for info on my own, but actually hearing it from people who play is so much more helpful!)

January 18, 2014 at 3:48 am #77967

diana-day
Participant

Hi, Elizabeth, is it possible for you to rent a harp for your first year of playing? Most people’s taste in harp tone changes a lot as they develop their ear for it. If you are still playing after a year or so, you’ll know more about what you want in terms of tone, strings, levers, etc. And you won’t have to worry about selling a harp you may no longer enjoy. Just my two cents. Best wishes —

January 18, 2014 at 6:12 am #77968

elizabeth-chang
Participant

I’ll be renting one of them either way, but one has the option to buy it after six months of renting and the other one doesn’t. I’m definitely not sure I want to commit to buying one at all, but I was trying to decide whether to rent the one I *could* buy later (the new one) or whether it’s best to use an older one. I think I just have to hear them and go on which one sounds better to me after all.

January 18, 2014 at 11:33 pm #77969

Tacye
Participant

Harp aging is a bit complicated – because it isn’t just aging. Small harp technology and design has diversified massively in the last several decades, and especially levers, so as well as quality of craftsmanship and possible deterioration you need to take into account the original design. Some old harps are really wonderful, but by no means all!

January 20, 2014 at 6:30 pm #77970

elizabeth-chang
Participant

I have the titan in the back of my car right now! Very excited!

I have to say that Alexandra at the Salvi showroom in Los Angeles was so accommodating that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her services. She went out of her way to work us in on a weekend at her teaching studio in Orange County last night, which sounds like it was quite a challenge with her schedule, and opened up the shop on a holiday morning so we could pick up the harp today before we leave California. Absolutely wonderful service, and some very useful advice for starting as well.

If anybody in the states was wondering about taking a trip to the showroom, I don’t think you could be disappointed by the experience at all.
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