Where to buy harp strings in Canada

January 2, 2011 11:14 AM

My wife has a 44-string Venus harp. I think it's the Cherub model. The Venus website suggests a website to order from, but ordering online from a US retailer adds prohibitive shipping (and brokerage) costs, so I really need a Canadian retailer. Where can I buy harp strings near Niagara, or online? I'm willing to drive to Toronto if I have to, but would prefer to order them online. Does anyone have any suggestions?
posted by MagicEightBall to Shopping (5 answers total)

This kind of question has come up before, and a common answer is "Get yourself an address in the US for shipping purposes" at something like PO Boxes Etc. If you're near Niagara, it wouldn't even be all that long a drive to Buffalo.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:30 AM on January 2, 2011

I can't say for sure but I think Remenyi House of Music in Toronto used to have a harp in their window.
posted by dobbs at 11:51 AM on January 2, 2011

IAAH (I am a harpist). If it is indeed a Cherub, you're fine to order from anywhere; pedal harps all use the same kinds of strings, across all makers (apparently! I stick with folk/lever harps so this is new information to me ;). You just need to determine the octaves of the strings you want to replace. Venus has a guide for determining that here, and there may be other guides around. Google around until you find a vendor that looks trustworthy and/or has good reviews, and you're set.
posted by curious nu at 1:04 PM on January 2, 2011

Remenyi would be able to handle it, but they tend to be expensive and a little snooty (combination of Yorkville and the convenience of being right across the road from the RCM).

If you want to buy mail-order from Canada I'd say that Vixen Harps in is your place. They'll figure out what you need and shipping will be reasonable if you go that route.
posted by mendel at 2:20 PM on January 2, 2011

Many, many places to buy harp strings are listed here.
posted by ms.codex at 7:59 PM on January 2, 2011