Harpsichord Questions

[Mark Johnston]

There is a Harp'rd list at listserv@cnsibm.albany.edu   (type   subscribe
HPSCHD-L)

Hope that is some help.

Steve Moore

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> From: TunerJeff@aol.com
> To: pianotech@byu.edu
> Subject: Harpsichord Questions
> Date: Monday, December 09, 1996 11:28 AM
>
> Dear Folks,
>
>    I've got a question or two for you hand-crafted reproduction of
> 'hysterical' instruments types. A local high school has just recieved a
6-ft.
> hand-made instrument back from being on loan to the community concert
> association. It has a brass dedication plaque that dates it to 1965.
There is
> no makers-mark. There is no identification of company or source for it's
> parts or pieces. The case is totally plain, with no ornamentation of any
> kind. The hinges on the folding top, which folds all the way over the
keys,
> are standard cabinet hinges.
> It is-
> 57 keys- From an A to an F (4 octaves and a smidge)
> Single strings from bottom to top- Minimal changes in string-size
(...like 7
> sizes from; .025 to .009)
> Two hand controls or stops. One at either end of the keyboard. Bass
control
> shifts a rail with felt pieces near the end of the speaking length,
acting as
> a sort of 'buff'-stop. Treble control shifts the line of the plectrons
closer
> or farther from the strings for a heavier 'bite' on the string.
(Currently
> does not function because the damper-felts are too worn, when you attempt
to
> shift  the action the felts force it back.)
>
>      It has 6 broken/missing strings. The music rack has disappeared. The
> wires in it appear to be different sources, as they range in color from a
> silver to an almost copper/brass color, and there are wierd jumps in
string
> size (...as in; "Oh, the string's broken. Here, this oughta fit... it
looks
> ok to me!")
>
> Questions-
> 1. Good source for harpsichord strings?
> 2. Stringing scale for this little 'kit-creature'?
> 3. Source for replacement plectrons or plectron-units? (Plastic pieces
> mounted to an adjustable peg, with a light spring that forces the return
of
> the plectron, there is a slit for mounting a folded piece of felt that
serves
> as a damper-felt. There is a small round lead weight, too. Several are
broken
> or cracked.)
> 4. Can you identify the maker, or at least the source for the kit?
> 5. What pitch should it be tuned to? (435? Or lower?)
> 6. Which temperament would be appropriate for it? (I'm an aural tuner,
and I
> have Jorgenson's massive tome "Tuning" to draw from. I'm leaning towards
> Kirnberger, as I need to educate the local accompanist on tuning it!)
> 7. The strings are, to my eye, badly strung. They are simply twisted
several
> times and slapped over the hitch-pin & the tuning pins have loose 'wads'
of
> string simply wound on to them... the bearing from the termination varies
> from string to string because of this.
> Is it appropriate to give them a proper 'bass-loop' and neatly coil them
on
> the pin? Is there a correct angle from the termination point or number of
> coils?
> 8. The damper felt  resembles folded medium key-bushing cloth, will this
> serve? Or should I simply razor the felt currently in place for a clean
line?
> 8. Is there a harpsichord equivalent to this TechList? If so... WHERE!?
>
> Thanks for your time,
> Jeffrey T. Hickey, RPT
> Oregon Coast Piano Services
> TunerJeff @ aol.com
> (541) 756-7701
>
> ps- The local teacher wants this creature in service for a concert in 9
days.
> I got my first view of it on Saturday evening. Help.
> Thank-you!
> ;>)