Where do the bad harp go?

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This topic has 72 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 16 years ago by Ian McVoy.

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June 18, 2007 at 6:14 pm #73663

john Doe
Participant

We all know that Harp Compaineys make good sounding harps and Bad sounding harps.

June 18, 2007 at 6:22 pm #73664

Saul Davis Zlatkovski
Participant

It seems

June 18, 2007 at 8:39 pm #73665

harpglo-jean
Participant

Saul, That was a GREAT response to this annoying annonymous poster…. MADE ME REALLY LAUGH : ^) …THANKS FOR THAT ONE!!!

Gloria

June 18, 2007 at 9:23 pm #73666

Bonnie Shaljean
Participant

Hire them out to beginners?

Donate them to schools or youth orchestras?

Take them apart and cannibalise the useful bits?

Lots of constructive things can be done with a working pedal harp, even if it doesn’t have wonderful tone.

June 18, 2007 at 11:28 pm #73667

Saul Davis Zlatkovski
Participant

All harp go to doggy heaven. Even bad harp do. Only evil harp made of plastic go down to dump.

June 18, 2007 at 11:33 pm #73668

unknown-user
Participant

Saul, there you go again…being funny!!

June 18, 2007 at 11:53 pm #73669

sherry-lenox
Participant

Saul this is good enough for stand-up. Are you looking for a second career?

June 19, 2007 at 4:25 am #73670

Evangeline Williams
Participant

Yes, if they work but the tone is lacking, there are always people looking for ‘free or cheap’ pedal harps, or donate pedal harps.

June 19, 2007 at 11:50 am #73671

unknown-user
Participant

I’d vote for electrify them and hire them out to Rock or metal bands.

June 19, 2007 at 11:51 am #73672

unknown-user
Participant

Ooops I forgot one other thing…paint them black as well of course!

June 19, 2007 at 11:54 am #73673

John McK
Participant

Hung up on the wall of Salzedo-themed restaurants?

Consumed in fiery displays of Nordic Ragnarophilia?

June 19, 2007 at 12:24 pm #73674

kay-lister
Member

Welcome back Mr. Doe – – – You BIG CHICKEN!!!!

Kay

June 19, 2007 at 12:57 pm #73675

unknown-user
Participant

Hey Kay–did you get my e-mail?

June 19, 2007 at 12:59 pm #73676

unknown-user
Participant

Does anyone else dream of finding a GOOD harp in a pawn shop, for, oh, say $500?

June 19, 2007 at 2:01 pm #73677

Bonnie Shaljean
Participant

How can you tell if it’s worth fixing? You usually can’t. Even seasoned harp restorers will warn you that a zillion hidden problems can lurk in the pedal mechanism, especially if the harp is an antique. It needs someone with a professional experienced eye to look inside the pedal box underneath, and even then most of them will only chance a cautious estimate. You usually don’t know for sure until you begin working on it what you’re going to encounter.

Also woodworm can do a lot more damage than is immediately apparent. Those tiny little holes can be masking a whole rabbit warren of tunnels beneath the surface, which means the neck or affected part can be considerably weaker than it looks. I once saw an old harmonic curve in cross section and it was so porous it resembled a piece of French bread! But all that was visible from outside was one or two tiny holes.

If you’re looking at something in an antique shop for a knockdown price, NO ONE is likely to know the true state of it, or where it’s been. Take a qualified harp restorer with you, and even then don’t expect anyone to commit him/herself.

If the pedals are FULLY working then you may be in with a chance. But how likely is that??!!
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