Need advice please: Camac Atlantide or Salvi Aurora?

[Michael Sommer]

I am planning to purchase either a Camac Atlantide or the Salvi Aurora. I will be buying new but I won’t be able to try either harp out personally because there are none where I live. I have heard them both and they both sound great. I have played a Camac Athena so I am familiar with how that harp is weighted but have not played a concert grand Salvi. The Camac has a ten year warranty and the Salvi has five.

One of the problems is that sales people seem to say negative things about the harp they do not sell. Of course, they want you to buy their harp but I don’t know if what they say is true. The one I talked to this morning says that if there is something wrong with a Salvi, it would be hard to get them to honor the warranty. She said they would but it would be a pain to do it. Anyone have any experience as consumers with either brand? Any advice would be appreciate. If you have played both, do they feel good on your body while playing? I am 5’8″. Thank you so much. I need help!

[Anonymous]

Hi Talia,

Did you speak with the Salvi company or was it a regular harp dealership, that you spoke to? (http://www.salviharpsinc.com/HarpAuroraSalvi.htm)

If you haven’t already, can you speak with Salvi Company directly? Also, tell them you are interested in purchasing, but that you are concerned about the warranty. See if you can negotiate with them.

In addition on Harp Column, get a hold of Harp Connection, if you haven’t already. They sell Salvi’s on their website. See if they can give you an idea about the issue of the warranty harp or at least about the harp.

[Michael Sommer]

It was another dealership but I have spoken to several dealerships so far. I will call Salvi again. If I buy the Aurora, I was planning to get it at the Harp Connection as they have one in stock that I like.

Thank you for the reminder about calling Salvi. Can you really negotiate a warranty?

[Gretchen Cover]

Talia,

I would really try to play both harps. Is there anyone within reasonable distance that has either harp so you could play one? You are making an expensive investment.

When I looked for a new harp, I tried a Camac. I really did not like the pedals at all. That may be because I was trading in my 35 year old Aurora and I was used to Salvi pedals, which by the way, feel exactly like Lyon Healy pedals. Salvi’s are built very strongly. I would not worry about the warranty. I have heard of a couple bad harps but that would be highly unusual, particularly with the way harps are built now.

Personally, for the money you are spending I would buy a Salvi Apollo. That is what I bought to replace my Aurora. It is a fantastic harp and if you can swing the extra money, it would be your best harp, IMHO. You should talk to Alexandra Perdew at Salvi Harps in California. She is very helpful and knowledgable.

[Michael Sommer]

There is no one with a Salvi Aurora near me and I am pretty sure the Camac will feel a lot like the Athena which I play each week. I wish I could! A long plane ride is out of the question for me right now as well.

I have left a message with Alexandra. I thought of the Aurora but I think it may be too big of a sound for where I am now, if that makes sense. I know people love them.

Thank you so much for writing in. I look forward to hearing what Salvi says. I get to hear each harp again tomorrow.

[Michael Sommer]

Never say never. I was able to locate an Aurora that is an hour and a half from where I live. I am going to go see it in an hour or so. Thank you so much for the extra encouragement. With the info of how it feels plus hearing it tomorrow along with the Camac, I should be able to make a decision. Thank you so much!

[Philippa mcauliffe]

I love my Atlantide. I like the hand spacing at the top, the clear but not metallic top octaves, my lovely rich bass and it is really comfortable to play.. I am 5 ft 8 as well. It was a very wide balance “point” so it never feels heavy even as you move back and forth. An Atlantide doesn’t sound like an Athena (I have an Atlantide) but all harps vary from model to model. I played about 10 Atlantides side by side in France last year and they all had their own characteristics. I love the camac pedals but do not have a problem changing from harp to harp. I think people who don’t play camacs take a while to get used to their pedals. I have also played a really lovely Apollo but they are really heavy to move if you have to do it single handed. I also couldn’t get my arm round one when I was younger. I think it very unlikely that either company would treat you badly if you had problems…..they wouldn’t want the adverse publicity. I have never heard anyone from the two actual companies say anything bad about their oppositions business practices. I would choose on sound and feel personally but that is hard if you cant try an Atlantide. I would try and track one of those down too.

[Tacye]

The RBW monogram turns up on other Wurlitzer instruments, banjos and guitars and things. I will be interested in what can be discovered about the USIDC thing.

[Michael Sommer]

I know someone with an Atlantide but she has light tension strings on it so it would be very different. I love everything you said as well. I was leaning towards the Aurora but now am leaning towards the Atlantide. It will be a very hard choice but I am super happy that I can test out an Aurora tonight to see how it feels to put it on my shoulder. The Atlantide cost a lot less as well so that is a draw in. I appreciate hearing from you especially since you have played both brands a lot. The Apollo is not in the picture which is good because it is hard to choose among two! Thank you!

[Sherj DeSantis]

Michael, Paul Knoke, an Historical Harp Society member, harp player and technician, plays on a stunning Wurlitzer and is very generous about sharing his info. There is also a registration site for Wurlitzer’s. He posts occasionally to the forums.

[Anirishman]

Thank you for the suggestion Sherj, I appreciate it.

[Anirishman]

Thank you for the information about the RBW monogram…it will be interesting to find an answer.

[Gretchen Cover]

Talia,

Don’t think about a “big” sound. Concert grands will seem loud if you aren’t used to it. Listen carefully that the harp sounds EVEN when you play all the registers. I hope your visit to the Aurora went well.

And yes, Phillippa, the Apollo can be a beast to move. I can always find someone to help me tilt it into and out of the van. I can do the rest.

[Michael Sommer]

I talked to Alexandra for a long time and she convinced me not to go and see the Aurora. She said that the new Auroras are very different from the old ones found in a lot of music depts. Now, I am leaning back to the Salvi which is where I started when I wrote this thread. I am hoping the skype performances on these two tomorrow can help me settle the issue. Thank you and everyone for their help. 🙂

[Gretchen Cover]

I have been pleased with Salvi. I bought my Aurora in 1976 so I have many years of dealing with them. Alexandra helped me when I decided to get a new harp a couple years ago. She really knows harps.

Keep HC posted on what you decide. You have a difficult decision to make. My best to you, and congratulations in advance on your new harp.

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