Craigslist Find Harp! Help?!

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This topic has 7 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 3 months ago by Tacye.

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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May 25, 2010 at 6:58 pm #74279

Cassie M
Participant

I just got this, what I believe to be, an incredible deal on craiglist. I know it is a Hidden Valley Harp and it has 28 strings. To me it looks just like the leprechaun. I really don’t have much information about it other than the plate says “Hidden Valley Harps, Escondido, Lee Yoder, 1984, #74”. I have no idea what #74 means.

A few questions I hope someone can answer.

1) What was the price of a harp like this in 1984? Does anyone have any idea what the Leprechaun ran for in 1984?

2) Are these the old fashioned type of levers or something? They’re very hard to turn.

3) A few strings are missing and the gut strings are very oddly colored compared to my Ravenna 26. I was considering changing them all but they cost nearly $200. Could I go with a different brand and be fine? I mean that price seems much too high to me. Its nearly what I paid for the harp itself.

4) I already have a lever harp, my almost brand new Ravenna 26. Would you recommend keeping this one or doing a few repairs and selling it? I have no idea what to do, it just seemed like a good find.

I’ve been trying to get a hold of Hidden Valley Harps for the past few days, even drove up to Escondido, but no such luck. I was hoping you all could help.

[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011006.jpg%5B/IMG]

[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011007.jpg%5B/IMG]

[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011008.jpg%5B/IMG]

[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011009.jpg%5B/IMG]

[IMG]http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011010.jpg%5B/IMG]

May 25, 2010 at 7:05 pm #74280

Cassie M
Participant

i guess the pictures didn’t work….let me try this.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011010.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011006.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011007.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011008.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee249/dollsforadoll/P1011009.jpg

May 25, 2010 at 7:37 pm #74281

kay-lister
Member

Cassie,

They don’t look like any kind of levers to me but I could be wrong. I’d keep looking for the 36 st full lever myself.

Kay

May 25, 2010 at 7:43 pm #74282

kay-lister
Member

AND your only guarantee is that there is none should you have any problems.

May 25, 2010 at 7:47 pm #74283

Cassie M
Participant

Thanks Kay! Well I know they’re levers, you just move them to the side and they work. I already bought the harp yesterday but the people knew nothing about it. Thank you 🙂

May 25, 2010 at 8:01 pm #74284

kay-lister
Member

Hmmm – interesting!

May 25, 2010 at 8:11 pm #74285

andy-b
Participant

Hi, Cassie: Those are sharping blades. They’re more common on wire-strung harps now, as they’re easier on wire than newer lever designs, from what I understand. The downfall to them is that it’s hard to judge exactly how far to turn them to get the correct pitch, so they’re not as accurate as modern levers. The Hidden Valley website is http://www.hiddenvalleyharps.com/

May 25, 2010 at 8:28 pm #74286

Tacye
Participant

How hard are the blades to turn?
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