I’m shopping for a used harp. What should I look for before I buy?
Purchasing a pre-owend harp without first having a professional assessment means stepping into uncertainty. Hire a harp technician for a consultation. Reality check: Harps that sound wonderful and are in wonderful condition are seldom sold.
As a harp doctor, I first look at the Big Four for pedal harps—soundboard, neck, body base frame (BBF), and action clicking.
Does the soundboard have any stress exhibited about ½ inch out from the centerstrip? A surface crack where the centerstrip meets the soundboard is rarely structural, but ½ inch out from that can be a red flag.
The easiest place to identify a severely warped neck is to put the F pedal into sharp and look at the 4th octave F-sharp to evaluate how close the string sits to the tips of the disc pins. Necks warp like trees bend in the wind—the further they bend, the slower they bend. Some harps from the 1930’s to 50’s still have original necks even though they are remarkably warped.
The BBF is the foundation of the harp; everything else can be considered to stand on top of it. The BBF is the D-shaped piece of wood at the bottom of the body and is only visible after taking off the base of the harp. The base is attached primarily to the BBF, as is the soundboard and the column. The BBF can shift over time and pull apart from the baseboard, taking the harp out of alignment.
Action clicking can be checked by moving the pedals up and down. Sadly, a 5-year-old harp might click, so we get into a grey area of how much clicking (loose rivets) affects the playability.
Assessing the health of a harp truly takes experience. All necks warp, all BBFs “move,” all soundboards pull up, all harps click. A consult with a pro is worth the cost and can often be done via video.
—Peter Wiley
There are a lot of things to look for when shopping for a used harp, far more than I could cover here. I recommend enlisting expert help. If possible, have the instrument inspected in person by a harp technician before buying. If that’s not an option, contact a technician, preferably one who travels to your area so they can have your business should you buy the harp, and ask them if they will work with you to inspect the harp remotely based on photographs.
Be prepared to pay a consultation fee, and know that not all technicians are comfortable doing inspections remotely. If willing, they can describe the important areas of the instrument you should photograph. The goal is to identify or rule out major structural or mechanical issues that would require expensive repairs. You will need to visit the harp in person to take photos of specific parts. The photos in a seller’s listing likely won’t show enough detail.
Talk to the technician before you look at the harp, or before you take a second look, so they can advise you on specific things to photograph depending on the harp you’re interested in. On pedal harps, one important area to look at is where the base meets the body, down near the floor. If you have mobility issues or aren’t comfortable getting down on the floor to take a photograph, enlist the help of someone who would be able to do it for you. A used harp can be a great buy, but if you’re not careful it can come with a surprise repair bill.
—Steve Moss
Here are a few points to consider when looking for a used harp.
First, determine the age and ask for the service history. If you are a beginner, always ask your teacher or more advanced player to help you.
Choose a harp that fits your size and not just one that looks nice. Look out for a good even sound from top to bottom. The condition of the wood, especially the soundboard, needs to be good with no cracks. With a pedal harp, check that the pins are tightening the strings in the middle of the pins. Too much on the edge means the neck is bending. The pedals must move smoothly between notches and check each string in naturals and sharps for buzzing. The same applies to levers so check again for buzzing. The strings may well need changing, especially the bass wires. If possible, ask for a service to be done before buying. If this is not possible, enquire about service costs and negotiate the price accordingly.
Ask if the covers/trolley/dolly are included and check the condition. If you are keen, ask if you can trial the harp for a few days before making the final decision.
Finally, make some enquiries about the general price of the harp you are interested in by looking up websites and contacting a trusted dealer. Happy harping! •
