Buying a used pedal harp in Canada

[lily-gon]

Hello!
Does anyone know where to buy a full harp in Canada? (47 strings).
Could someone please advise what kind of harp to buy? There’s Salvi etc? I saw many used harps that are guaranteed on Lyon and Healy’s site…but I’m wondering how to bring the harp to Canada? Has anyone done this? How do I do this? Thanks. Lili

[patricia-jaeger]

Lily, I would first talk to those two dealers you mention, asking them about harps they have shipped to Canada, both new and used. That way, you could find out much logistical information, and costs, that you need about crossing the border from the U.S.A. with an expensive musical instrument. Then talk to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario (They must have a web site with contact information) and find how those pedal harp students acquired their harps, once you have contact information for the harp teacher there. Also find harpists playing in large symphony orchestras in Canada, who probably teach pedal harp and might know of one for sale in Canada. You could also place a “Wanted” ad in various music stores such as Remenyi House of Music, 210 Bloor Street, Toronto. While you are searching, take piano lessons because it is much easier to transfer skills from piano to harp, than from another instrument, or from no instrument at all. Perhaps a Canadian harpist will post here with helpful information. Good luck!

[stephen-vardy]

Hi Lily
Competition is pretty fierce for used pedal harps up here in Canada.
They are few and far between – literally.
Shipping from inside Canada is very difficult to do on your own.
IF (yes, very much IF) you can get shipping insurance expect it to be around 4%.
Any used pedal under $15k sells pretty quickly if it is a good one.

Disclaimer:
We sell new folk harps.
And ship commercially across Canada.

We get many enquiries for used pedals.
We refer them all to our sister site here:
http://www.usedharpmart.ca
Join the opt-in email list.
I send out an email to all list members whenever a secondhand harp is listed.
Harpists from all over Canada list their harps – for free.
Including pedal harps.

We have recently sold a consigned pedal harp thru the UHM.
I listed it and sent the email out at 1am. (after midnight).
It sold at 1:05am.

So take your time.
Research carefully.
There are several pedal dealers in Canada.
New may be the way to go.
Dealers really work hard for a very low markup.
This is a definite advantage for you.

Stephen Vardy
http://www.westcoastharps.com

[lily-gon]

Hi Stephen,
Thank you for the information provided. Have you come across this harp at all?
http://www.vixenharps.com/articles/7.php
I was going to call Vixen and ask them if they would consider an offer on the harp. They’ve had it since 2004, which makes me wonder – why has this instrument not sold? I’ll also try to find some names of local harp teachers and contact them directly as to how to buy a harp. I feel like I’m going in blind, as I have no experience at this. I was also going to contact Ayoma harps, have you heard of them? I heard they make and rent harps?
Thanks, ~ L

[lily-gon]

Hi Patricia. I will seek out those avenues as you have written in your post, this week. Thank you ~ L

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

Which city are you in? Sometimes there are second-hand harps that are available for you to try. I know of one in Vancouver, for example.

[stephen-vardy]

Hi Lily – One important piece of advice – slow down … slow way down. This could very well be the purchase of a lifetime. Harplust is a known disease and in you are in some peril until you kind of “get” the difference between a long held desire and what works for you at this point.. Elizabeth is right. Find a way to try some harps and hear some harps.. In the process you may find a used one but more importantly you will start acquiring a feel for what you like if going towards a new one.

[lily-gon]

Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for your posting. I live close to Rycroft, Alberta. I would be interested in the one in Vancouver, is it possible to get the details? I contacted a Harp dealer in Calgary – It’s a chain store, but I didn’t hear back unfortunately. Thank you ~ L

[stephen-vardy]

Talk to Brian
He would be a good place to start.
He is a Salvi dealer in Edmonton.
http://www.gramophone.ca/

[lily-gon]

Stephen . Do you know if they sell used harps? Thanks ~ L

[lily-gon]

Hello Elizabeth,
Is it possible for you to please provide me with some details of the Vancouver pedal harp for sale? If you can’t post the details on this forum, I have provided my email address below.
Thank you,
L
liliummartagon@gmail.com

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