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Lyon & Healy harps are great; I own and have owned several. I bought my Camac Clio extended in 1999 because at that time it was the only 44 string harp with an extended soundboard. Now the L&H 85GP is available, but the Clio soundboard is wider (as wide as my 23–I measured it) and it weighs less than the 85GP. I definitely prefer it, especially since there are no pedal felts to replace. You really should try both if possible and choose what is best for you.
Natalie, there are much worse things you could spend your money on! Music will enrich your life and enhance your health and give pleasure to you and others. If you can afford it, go for it! (Save some money for strings, too, and harp regulation.)
The usual fix is not to replace the action but to repair it by re-riveting, unless that’s already been done. I don’t think you can re-rivet a second time because the rivet holes can be only so large before you run out of space on the linkage. In that case, probably the action would be replaced. But Carl is the expert and could tell you for sure. I don’t know who works on Aoyamas.
I have a Troubadour III which originally had levers made of some composite metal which tended to break. There are no matching replacements available, and they weren’t good levers to begin with. I paid my wonderful harp tech to replace them with Loveland levers (the new Camac levers hadn’t been invented then and the Loveland levers were less expensive than Lyon & Healy performance levers). The harp has a good sound and was worth the investment for parts and labor. When you change lever type, the new lever position is often different, and of course the harp will need a regulation. But if you love the harp, changing the levers is less expensive than buying another harp.
Did you notice she’s sitting on the wrong side of the harp? Maybe that’s the angle the director wanted to shoot from regardless of accuracy.
Perhaps you could each drive half-way and meet at a hotel or other somewhat public venue where you would feel safe and the buyer could play the harp to see if it’s “as represented.” If there’s a branch of the buyer’s bank nearby, you both can go there so the bank could issue a check that you would know is good.
It’s my understanding that this is not your problem. It’s the restaurant or other establishment’s responsibility to have a license from BMI, ASCAP and/or SESAC that permits it to provide live or recorded copyrighted music.
I have a friend who owns both, and she and I have always felt the 23 has a warmer sound while the 30s we have heard sound brighter. Of course, that kind of thing is very subjective.
Remember that harps are warranted for only five years. Wood can have hidden flaws that weaken over time. Not trying to be a wet blanket, just considering all aspects.
