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Glad to hear that they consider their harps shine by their own estimation! It’s a striking model though. I know a professional harpist in this part of the world with a Musa model and she has been really happy with it, and its quite old now and been really reliable. And yes, I think being (relatively) near the factory is good – especially
One last comment, I like the Scolpita actually, it’s very organic looking, like a living thing that would come to life and strangle you. Quite suitable for a on and off Neo-pagan like myself! I prefer it to some of the original sculpture models I have seen. If only I’m not so poor!
I don’t really like harps that look like architectural columns myself, too “manly” for me!
Translation of the hype on the Japanese site for the Apollon(their most expensive model), just for my own amusement:
“Not based on existing models/production, it is a gem worthy of pride in the world grounded in unique invention and plan.The experience and the essence of accumulated skills of our company’s tradition of instrument making which crosses over to the 21st century shines here.
Instrument body: handmade wide and deep body
Soundboard: using compound spruce according to the register
Carving:Will the Christina be slippy, slidy too? Can I play it in bed? It’s comforting to have a harp you can play when you’re sick.
Can Christina owners enlighten me?
Audrey,
That is a very valid point! Actually, what made me decide to consider the little Cameo is that Cindy explained to me how to hold it and even sent a picture to demonstrate, and she said she’d be happy to give me phone lessons and coach me on it.
Maybe this will be a good tidbit for you with your harpsicle–she said the best way is to sit on a piano keyboard bench with your legs on either side (with the bench turned longways so there’s room in front of you) and then hold the harp in front of you, resting it on the bench. I think I saw someone else mention in one thread that you can also put a cushion or something else in front of the harp to keep it from slipping.
As I said earlier, it’s VERY possible that I will change my mind again, so I’ll just wait and see what happens. 🙂
Thanks again, Audrey!
Playing hooky from work….
The Aoyama agent told me prices have fallen a lot recently due to weak yen. She plays a custom Musa herself. Japan is near=cheap shipping and easy to pop over. They have a showroom in Tokyo and the factory is in Nagoya if I remember right. I have no idea what they sound like but I think the bulgy column design of the Athena is prettier than the Orpheus which is the equivalent model.The Aoyama model with the curly gold vine is called the Apollon.It’s their top-range model and quite striking I agree.Here it costs around US$41,600(old price).
http://www.aoyama-harp.co.jp/lineup/pedal1.html
Sharon says there’s a cherry swan owner where I am. Will pay her a visit one day when I’m rich. I dream of being a second cherry swan owner…Their latest inlay the blue heron is sooo pretty. I own quite a lot of paua shell jewellery from a trip to NZ and I have a weakness for abalone inlay. Arghhh must get off my behind and work…
The Thor harps certaninly are striking. I have not heard any myself, but so many people speak so well of them, I think they must be wonderful! They have a strength and a medieval quality that makes them very attractive and versatile. And yes, the american dollar is somewhat weak at the moment so it makes harps more affordable for us at the moment.
It’s interesting about Aoyama being well priced in your part of the world, they should be very reasonable here too due to the yen being weak, but they are still quite expensive for us. You know, they may be a good one for you as they are small to sit at. I had an Aoyama Vega (46 string semi grand) and it was very well priced and was a terrific gigging harp. And very reliable. They seemed to work well in our climate. If you have an agent there that is terrific. They also have a 40
Ro, it’s about the same price as a Cygnet which has 2 more strings *big sigh* And I’m in love with thorharps and love is irrational….BTW Aoyama pedals are really cheap(for pedals that is) in my country, we have an agent here…cheaper than Camacs! I can’t think of a cheaper brand for pedals…Their 47 string Aoyama Orpheus is quite reasonably priced. The Athena costs quite a bit more…
Thanks for the info anyway.
Ok, got to get back to work.
Hey Leigh,
Yes, he is the very much the absent-minded professor. He reminds me of stories I’ve heard of Einstein, walking home, going in the back door, making a cup of tea, and then suddenly realising…it was not his house!
Anyway, he cancelled again today, but there has been a definite improvement, he rang a couple of hours before his lesson and not half an hour after he should have been here. He also admitted on the phone he does not practise at all….so there you go.
He does want to play, but he does not want to pratice – he finds it boring and a chore.
I have the same problem. My dream harp is a T-swan or cygnet which are pretty darn expensive.I could buy a Camac Korrigan which is half the price but I have a feeling I’ll never get my Thorharp if I do.I’m tempted to get a Triplett Christina first so that I have a lap harp to play at least.I would get a lap harp sooner or later anyway since I want one.
I would start with renting but there are no harp stores here so I have to rent from someone not using their harp and can’t get money applied towards a harp purchase so I don’t want to rent for more than 6 months(plus they charge more than harp stores do! I wish I’m in the US).That means I need to have a goodly amount laid by before I start lessons.
I could rent and then get a Triplett Christina and make do until I save up for a Swan but it may mean spending two years on a lap harp!!
Or I can rent and then get a Korrigan but I know I wouldn’t want to keep it for life. I would sell or rent it out eventually(I may lose money reselling). But I would need to save up for a pedal harp after I get my floor harp so I don’t think I’ll ever get my dream Swan…By the time, I can afford a Swan I think I would be 50 though I would be happy to sell the Korrigan for it (but it’ll probably be battered by then)!
Can people who have tried the Cygnet vs. the Swan tell me if there’s a great difference in the sound? The cygnet is cheaper and more portable.I am thinking about a cherry cygnet in folk gut….does anyone own one?
I’ve been thinking about this decision a lot and it’s a tough one, but I think I’m going to at least try to wait and save absolutely as much as I can to decrease the waiting time. I think the best case scenario would be to learn on a harp that I absolutely love and don’t want to trade for anything else. As long as I don’t have to wait a ridiculously long time I think it would be worth it. If the wait starts to feel too long, I could also buy a Harpsicle or Ravenna and sell it when I am nearing the amount I need for the MeadoWind. I guess I can’t have it all figured out just yet!
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Becky
Should you decide on a Harpsicle, look through the classifieds here and at Harp Mall. Harpsicles can be found used for some nice savings.
I believe a Harp Column member is also selling a Harpsicle. I read something on an earlier thread about her advertising on Craigslist, although I don’t remember what city.
Hmm, I am absolutely torn on this issue. I’m very likely to change my mind again, but I’m thinking maybe I should go with a Harpsicle first, since that’s the one I can get soonest, and then save for the MeadoWind. The Harpsicle wouldn’t put me too far behind on saving either. It’s not perfect, but it would enable me to play and has a good amount of strings. I feel like that’s the only way I can get the MeadoWind and still have something to play soon. The Ravenna (as much as I like it) somehow is only one pound lighter than the MeadoWind and doesn’t seem a whole lot smaller because of the design, so if I want to have a separate travel harp, I might as well start with the Harpsicle and that way I’ll have a harp I can even take on planes.
Any thoughts?
