Salvi Orchestra Model Help

[harp57]

I didn’t realize you could negotiate on a used harp at the Virginia Harp Center. Do you think $12k is a good price? It does not include a cover or harp dolly. I’ve always really liked the sound of old harps but I don’t live anywhere near Chicago so it would be hard to get an old harp repaired. Thank you!

[balfour-knight]

Hi again, friends! Thanks, Gretchen and Gregg. That #100 harp and most of the other used harps at the Va. Harp Center are probably there on consignment. The seller/sellers have been known to negotiate with potential buyers, and I frequently see a reduction in price noted for a particular harp, after it has been there for a while. If you try the #100 out in person, you can see if you think it is worth the asking price. If it does not appear to be, you could offer less and see if they would accept that. I think I would like to see a transport cover set added, for that list price, if it were up to me. Did you see the Camac Athena, for about the same price? It may be gone now, since it said “sale pending.” You can look at everything they have, including the new harps, if you actually go there, and you might find a totally different harp than the one you had in mind! A friend of ours just did that with a new (used) car–she had her heart set on a black one, and came back with a white one–big surprise, ha, ha!

Have a great day,
Balfour and Carol Lynn

[harp57]

I agree the harp should come with at least a dust cover. It is impossible to get harp cart lately too! I see Virginia harp center has a new natural camac egerie ex in stock for $19k and the Athena is on hold. I’m not familiar with Camac. How do you get them regulated or repaired?

Thanks!

[balfour-knight]

Camacs come with a 10-year warranty. Most harp techs work on them, but you can do most of the regulation yourself, if you are good with your hands. There is a tool kit and instruction manual provided with each harp. You can find information on Camac Harps’ main website, or try Pacific-Atlantic Harps in CA–Carolyn Sykes has many helpful things posted there. You can also ask the Va. Harp Center, which is where you are thinking about going anyway, and they have a new website, also. I have not had time to look for Camac information there, but you can if you like.

Hope this helps.
Balfour

[Saul Davis Zlatkovski]

Older 100s are only 46 strings, and have a different sound from the recent 100s. The string spacing is also different at the top. I don’t presume $10,000 is unfair for a pedal harp in good order. But I always prefer a Lyon & Healy harp to any other, especially Camacs, which are not all wood (and metal).

[harp57]

Do you think it is worth getting a LH 100 rebuilt in the 1990s? Have the new models changed considerably? Thanks!

[balfour-knight]

A note to readers here–Camac only uses carbon fiber where it is needed in the harp to strengthen the neck and column, and to reduce the overall weight of the harp. Please see the website of Pacific-Atlantic Harps, and click on “why Camac harps.” All other parts, including their very fine soundboards, are made of wood and proper metal.

[harp57]

Hello everyone! I just wanted to give you an update. I went to the Virginia Harp Center yesterday to look at the used style 100 pedal harp and ended up buying a brand new ebony camac Excalibur lever harp instead! It is beautiful and a perfect size for me. They just got a huge shipment of brand new Camac harps from France on Friday and I’m lucky to have scooped up a harp that was not spoken for! Thank you everyone for your advice!

[balfour-knight]

That is wonderful news! Congratulations! We wish you many hours of embracing and playing that beautiful harp!
Harp Hugs,
Balfour and Carol Lynn

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