Inspecting a harp, need feedback.

[balfour-knight]

Mike, did you notice the “Coda” on that link that Paul posted? Here it is:
If you are new to the harp, don’t buy a used one without having someone look at it – a harp technician or even a teacher. If you locate a harp some distance away and don’t know whom to call, email Harp Spectrum and we’ll look in our harp directories for a teacher or player in that locale.

[panamamike]

Clicking

Finally went ahead and did the long drive to see the harp. It was cosmetically in decent shape save the brass spotting. I found 2 potential issues.

1: Clicking: Noticed the white felt at the top of the pedal was pretty much flat, maybe adding some would address the issue.
2: A tight fit on one of the pedal harp slots. Maybe the slot is too narrow or too much red felt on the pedal.

I took a short video of.the clicking see below. Hoping for some opinions.
How long could a harp like this last?
Would it make a difference if the strings were under tension?
Most of the strings were loose and couldn’t tighten due to string condition.
When attempting to tune, gut strings were snapping under pressure.
Would love to get some feedback

• This reply was modified 7 months, 1 week ago by panamamike.

[balfour-knight]

Mike, like I said before, new strings and a regulation will cost $1000. or more, to at least make this harp playable. Unless you can buy this harp for around $1000, I would avoid buying it. Your money could be better spent on a new harp, or you could even lease one for your daughter. You certainly do not want an old harp that would never work properly and just frustrate anyone trying to learn on it!

[panamamike]

I haven’t seen any semi-grand or grand harps anywhere near 1000, even in bad shape. Lowest I’ve found is 7k. Just trying to understand the condition. I know it’s a conundrum

[panamamike]

Click noise video

[balfour-knight]

Mike, unless you are planning to become a harp technician, I would avoid this harp. I hope others weigh in here, since I feel “so alone” in telling you truthfully what I think.
Have a great day!
Balfour

[panamamike]

I appreciate your input and sincerity. I’m also looking at this as an opportunity to learn. Hopefully someone with technical knowledge can add some perspective describe what’s happening mechanically.

Mike

[balfour-knight]

Thanks, Mike. Carl Swanson and Paul Knoke, both of whom often post here on these forums, are professional harp technicians. Maybe one of them can answer your questions and give you some good advice.

[panamamike]

How much can the tension on the pedals be adjusted?
Went to see a harp today and had my daughter play it. We weren’t able to fully tune, but her main concern was the movement of the pedals. Complained that they were hard to press down. Is that something that is adjustable?

Does the tension on the string have any impact on the pedals?

[paul-knoke]

The pedal springs can be adjusted, within limits, but that can also open a Pandora’s Box of other problems.
How does the action respond to the pedals? Quick? Sluggish?
How old/tall is your daughter?

[panamamike]

Wow, thanks for responding. I pretty much gave up on hearing back, but here’s my feedback. The pedals were quick on one harp, a hair sluggish on another. They were both the same model. My daughter is on the taller side at 5’9″.

Ultimately I gave up on the idea after speaking with a harp technician about the model in question. Basically said it was an “experimental” harp design that had issues with vibrations and was difficult to work on. I kept hearing it was a “student” harp. Given the condition, couldn’t really listen to it as all the strings needed to be replaced, I gave up on buying the harp.

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