Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)

Subject: Tech: Looking for a Harp
From: dafdoll
Date: 12 Sep 06 - 01:19 PM

HI there

Wondering if you can help this dafdoll, I be wanten a harp string type and wondered if any of you folk in the UK knew where I might get meself a second hand number and also where I might be lucky to find some lessons???/

Lots of luven

dafdoll

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: fogie
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 05:41 AM

Go to Hobgoblin.co.uk -they have a second hand section- the thing is there are little harps and there are concert harps- and I know nothing more about them.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: sian, west wales
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 06:12 AM

Scarce as hens' teeth.

As fogie above, what sort of harps, too? Harp makers occasionally have 'previously owned' ones.

And re: lessons, it depends on what sort of harp, what sort of music, and where you are geographically.

regards
sian

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Nick
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 06:15 AM

You could try and send a PM to harpmaker who is a Mudcat member and makes them - I'm sure we would be a good source of info

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: leeneia
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 08:41 AM

Have you ever tried a harp? Better find someone who will let you play one for a little while before buying an instrument. You could try it and find that although you love the sound, you hate the feel.

This is a good idea for any instrument that intrigues one.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 09:10 AM

There's a UK-based harp website with a secondhand buy-&-sell page, but if you're inexperienced with harps DO please be sure to get a knowledgeable person's opinion on anything you're considering buying, which means they will need to see and try it out. Good instruments will keep their value on the secondhand market and give years of useful service, but there's also a lot of rubbish out there. In particular, be sure it has decent semitone levers. These have improved dramatically in the last decade or so, which means that a lot of the older models have obsolete ones which don't really do the job. (Don't underestimate this factor or let anyone smooth-talk you out of it: proper semitone levers are important!)

Link is: http://www.affairsoftheharp.com/

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 09:16 AM

Please tell us where you are, to help in recommending teachers.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Marion in Cornwall
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 12:15 PM

Don't know where you are but perhaps this might be helpful.

Harp lessons

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Liath
Date: 13 Sep 06 - 02:59 PM

Yep - no point us recommending teachers if we don't know where you are!

You also need to know what type of harp you're interested in. What do you want to do on it? Have a look at makers like Pilgrim, Starfish and Ardival to get a feel for the type of thing that's out there.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Liath
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 04:08 AM

btw, re semitone levers, again depends what Dafdoll wants to do on it - folk who are strictly doing reenactment type stuff don't want them...

Yes, for general playing they are completely invaluable :-)

Best thing is to find yourself a teacher first. Teachers will often have harps for students to hire, and if not, will be able to point you in the right direction.

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: sian, west wales
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 01:58 PM

I don't know if dafdoll is still looking but Gwenan Gibbard is selling a Pilgrim Ashdown for 1600 UK pounds - costs 2200 from new. I think it includes spare strings and a case. Gwenan is a professional harpist so it will be in excellent condition. (She also works for Sain Records and her most recent CD is available as iTunes from www.sain.wales.com)

sian

Subject: RE: Tech: Looking for a second-hand harp (UK)
From: Susan of DT
Date: 19 Sep 06 - 02:38 PM

When I was looking for a (new) harp (in the US), I went to a couple of stores to try out what they had and spoke to someone who sold many "brands" to ask the pros and cons of various harpmakers. I got several harp publications, which sometimes list used harps and are always full of adds for new harps - International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen, Scottish Harp Society, Welsh Harp Society. Other 'catters may have more recent knowledge of what publications are around now and UK ariented.

You also need to decide on
(1) folk vs. concert harp
(2) nylon vs. wire strings
(3) size - lap, floor, intermediate