Saul- As far as I can tell, my instruments have aged very well. There are a number of them right here in Boston, the oldest of which is now about 17 years old. it belongs to Cynthia Price, the teacher at the Boston Conservatory, and it’s the harp she uses in the Boston Ballet Orchestra. Judy Saiki, who subs all the time with the Boston Symphony has a semi-gilded Empire about the same age and it’s fine. She loves it.