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Sean, what is your intent with this harp research. Are you just curious, do you intend to learn how to play?
Jerusha,
You would have to ask Salvi or a Salvi rep. I cannot give you an accurate answer. I presume it is like design changes on cars – build something better and perhaps correct problems. I was more familiar with all this a few years ago when I bought two new concert grand harps. I waited a year on my Apollo because the sales rep thought the new concept soundboard was a huge design improvement.
Ah, Balfour, you and I must now disagree. The soundboards are designed differently for many of the concert grand harps. That is particularly so with the new Salvi sound boards in the past couple years. Each harp model has its own soundboard design. Years ago, the difference, say, between a Diana and Aurora was just the carving but that is no longer true. I am not as familiar with Camac and Lyon Healy but it is safe to say that a Salzedo soundboard is not the same as a LH 23. This is when you really need to rely on the expertise of the sales rep and harp technicians.
Perhaps you could tell the parents the child is very talented and that you would like permission to let her teacher know what was accomplished at camp. If that works, you could let the teacher know your thoughts about the harp.
I would discuss the Salvi harps with the sales manager Peter at the Santa Monica Salvi showroom. http://www.salviharpsinc.com. Yes, there are differences between the Salvi harps. Also depends on the year. My personal thought that may or may not be valid: l think the best Salvi harps were made when they used the new concept soundboard. I believe this was from 2008-2015. I have a Salvi Iris and Salvi Apollo with the new concept soundboards. They are both phenomenal and very different in sound. Ultimately, your choice comes down to whether or not you like the feel and sound of a particular harp.
Funny this topic should come up. There is a new minister at a church I play regularly. He was so excited to know there would be harp music that he raced over to my harp and could barely keep from touching it. When I said ok, he jumped on the bench to try plucking the strings. Who can say no to such enthusiasm? I am happy to let people try my harp or touch it as long as they ask first and l am standing by. One thing I like about Salvi Harps is the polyurethane finish that wipes clean easily unlike the lacquer on Lyon and Healy harps. (Appears the photo I tried to upload won’t work.)
Where do you live? What is the price? Are you able to get a harp tech or someone specialized to look at the harp? A major problem could be getting disks or other replacement parts.
Carl Swanson has one his harps he makes for sale on his website http://www.swansonharp.com. You might want to look at that.
After reading all the posts, I would contact harp makers about donating the harp for rehab. You may also want to contact harpist Patrice Fisher, who has a non-profit harp school in Guatemala. If she can use the harp, you would get a charitable donation letter for your tax return. http://www.patricefisher.com. I donate my used strings to her program.
Perhaps contact technician George Flores for advice and the proper tool you need. He posts a lot on Facebook and invites harpists to reach out to him on technical matters. He works mainly on Venus harps but I am certain he knows LH harps, too. Have you checked tutorials on youtube? I also believe tech Steve Moss has a dvd about harp maintenance. You could email him to see if his dvd addresses your harp issues and ask what tool you need for the job you are doing.
Sad that harpists don’t get their harps regulated and wire strings changed regularly. Not doing so shortens the life of a harp, could hurt resale, plus they end up not sounding good. Like driving a car and never changing the tires, filters or oil. Personally, I would never buy a used harp without an inspection report and proof the harp was properly maintained.
I would have an artist turn it into a piece of art and enjoy it. You could also contact an Aoyama dealer to see if the harp could be used for parts or rehabbed.
