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You are exactly right. It is a problem with the action for those strings. The tech did try to work it out. But there is another problem that compounds the issue. Because the neck has already started twisting (remember, this is a brand new harp) the forks BARELY even reach the strings in the first place. The tech says that they plan to use a newer disc with longer forks soon but, sadly, I got stuck with the “last of them” (his words).
A brand new harp with a twisted neck and discs that don’t engage properly does not sound like a harp that will support my busy performance schedule. I need a harp that is reliable from a company that supports its customers.
I have given the harp away and purchased a new Lyon Healy concert grand with an amazing sound. I really wanted a smaller harp but, alas, there are simply no options out there. My hope is to help other harpists avoid such a costly mistake.
I have been dealing with the president of the company. Naturally, he is being very protective of the company.
The strings ring beautifully in the “flat” position. It is only when the discs (try to) engage that they go “dead” and sound like a ukelele. I have been told that this is because the discs are not engaging the strings properly. The tech tried to fix the problem but to no avail.
For the record, Venus has two reputations. The first is that when they are good they are great. The second is that when there is a problem with a new harp you are on your own. I am a professional harpist with a lot of work. I usually play a concert grand for work but I wanted a smaller harp for when I play with the chamber orchestra and smaller venues. Most factories don’t make these anymore. I ordered a new one from Venus and it took a few months as expected. It was beautiful when it arrived and, as expected, the bass had the iconic rich and wonderful sound. But I noticed that the F string in the second octave would not ring in the natural or sharp position. I pointed it out the the tech who delivered the harp. He said to give it a week or two. Well, at the end of two weeks the neck has twisted so badly that the entire second octave barely even played and the the sound was terrible. The tech came back and tried moving the discs out so they would have contact with the strings. We also replaced the strings with gut. After a month the problem was so bad that I just packed up the harp. The bad news is that for them to fix it, I have to drive the harp to Chicago plus pay for the repairs myself. Remember, this is a brand NEW harp. I wish this was a special case but I know other Venus Harpist with the same story. But only with NEW harps. So if you really want a Venus, get a USED one.
