Salvi Apollo or Aurora?

[Steph the SwanSong]

Greetings, I am new to this forum!
I am trying to decide between the Apollo and Aurora.

I am assuming they both have the New Concept soundboard?

What’s your experience with weight on the shoulders for each of them?
( I know, I know, the weight is managed by the knees)

The old Aurora was really rough on my shoulders.
Budget is OK for either.

Thoughts? Both on the weight on the shoulders and overall comparison between the 2,

[Steph the SwanSong]

Just to clarify, the Aurora I currently have is from 1973, pre New Concept soundboard.

Any other comments are welcome.

[balfour-knight]

Steph, the Salvi’s I have seen and played did indeed seem heavy, both to move AND to play. I am used to my Camac Atlantide Prestige concert grand, which is lighter in weight, 77 lbs., and also perfectly balanced so that you can experience virtually no weight on your shoulder or knees. Lynn Aspnes had a video about balancing a Prestige so that there was no discomfort from playing it. The shoulder end on Camac concert grands is made a little lower than other brands of harps, so that also helps, and there is more room in the high treble for your right hand because of the ergonomic “fanning out” of the strings. Have you considered a Camac? I am an independent harpist, not affiliated with Camac, but I know what I prefer!

Happy looking,
Balfour

[Steph the SwanSong]

Funny how I have gone full circle. I’m chuckling over here.

I started my search with Camac and the Atlantide Prestige. I moved away from it because of its bright sound, IMHo.

I was hoping for rich dark tones, but maybe the Prestige mellows out?

Have you played any of the Salvi harps post implementation of their modified soundboard s?

Thoughts?

[balfour-knight]

That’s too funny, Steph! I played a very nice Apollo at the Atlanta Harp Center in GA, USA. That was several years ago, but it did indeed have the “new concept” soundboard. The tone was a very nice blend of traditional and dark, but a little “too dark” for me. I prefer the clearer, brighter sound of the Camac harps, since they require not as much effort to produce a nice, ringing tone. I cannot pluck as hard as I used to because of arthritis in my hands and fingers. I can get a “darker” tone by playing softly, and my Atlantide can “purr like a kitten,” or really sound out loudly with a more aggressive technique, when my fingers feel up to it, ha, ha! It is a 2017 model, built with Camac’s new, larger, redesigned soundboard and soundbox, so the tone is very rich and full and the harp gives you that wonderful French sound. It is capable of playing anything I can think of to play on it, all styles and periods of music. I use Premier gut strings on it, along with the New Nylgut NGH strings by Aquila in the top two octaves (2F up through 0G). I have Bow Brand bass wires, so England, France and Italy are all very well represented on this harp!

Good luck deciding!
Balfour (western NC harpist)

[Steph the SwanSong]

I LOVE the lower register of the Atlantide. All growly and beautiful.

You are right, of course,that Salvi harps take more effort to play.

I am trying to avoid a trip to Salt Lake City but will call Salvi tomorrow again,

[balfour-knight]

Steph, I should have said that it is better to try out the harps in person before making your final decision. A brand new Salvi might have a different weight or feel to it than an older model did. I love the look of the new Salvi Iris in maple with the blue accents added to the beautiful soundboard art. But I personally have never played a Salvi that made me want to purchase one. I played many Atlantides over the years before I finally got one for myself. Before that, I was a Lyon & Healy “nut,” ha, ha!

Best wishes,
Balfour

[Steph the SwanSong]

Greetings Balfour.
I ended up choosing the Salvi Diana. A little lighter, and also melodious sound through the entire range.

I fixed the shoulder issue by lowering my seat!

[balfour-knight]

So glad for you, Steph! The Diana is a very lovely harp. What finish did you choose?

[Steph the SwanSong]

It is the mahogany finish. Just beautiful.
The only bummer is not being able to get it until the temperature is below 90 degrees.
I guess the lacquer can be damaged.

Since I live in AZ, it will be a long wait…

So I am stuck watching videos of her for the next few months.

I’m hoping for a cold front…

[balfour-knight]

Steph, we will hope along with you, for that cold front! How exciting to be anticipating that beautiful new harp. She will definitely be worth the wait. Too bad you can’t just rent a car like a Subaru Outback and go get the harp yourself. With an air-conditioned ride, the harp and you would be very comfortable. We have a 2024 Outback, and it makes the perfect harp-cart!

Harp Hugs,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

[balfour-knight]

Steph, any news on that lovely Diana harp yet? Did you decide to go get her yourself? I wouldn’t be able to stand the waiting, so I would definitely have headed out to pick up my harp, ha, ha!

[Steph the SwanSong]

The waiting is very hard!
The Diana is on the East coast while I am in the West.
Short of a major road trip, I have to be patient.
I’m watching YouTube videos every night beforr bed.
I’m also watching the Weather Channel hoping for a cold front…
How’s your Prestige?

[balfour-knight]

So good to hear from you, Steph! Yes, the waiting is VERY HARD! My Atlantide Prestige (Angelica) and I are doing fine, as is my sweet wife, Carol Lynn–thanks for asking! I am thoroughly enjoying my New Nylgut NGH strings by Aquila in the top two octaves of Angelica. Only the top 0G has broken, since I restrung them around Dec. 24, 2023. They sound just like gut, only with a bit more sustain, which I love.

Hope the cool weather comes soon so that you can get your Diana!

Best wishes and harp hugs,
Balfour

[Steph the SwanSong]

I finally lost patience and had them drive it out in an AC van.

She’s lovely. Much lighter with a wider balance. And easier to play all around. I am overjoyed. She sounds like rain on petals until you get to the lower registers. Delightful!

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