[CAUT] Harpsichord

[Fred Sturm]

On 12/10/05 9:30 PM, "Andrew Anderson" <andrew@andersonmusic.com> wrote:

> I checked out the TAMIU harpsichord in its storage closet last week.
> 
> It is a "PS Purvis 19 Toronto 69".  It has ~4.5 octaves.  There are
> two levers where the piano fall-board would be.  The one on the left
> actuates a rail with felt blocks against the strings near the front
> bearing.  This seems intended to moderate the tone/volume of the
> instrument.  The one on the right is jammed.  It seems to reach into
> the action.
> I'll be tuning this just before the concert tomorrow to "Handel's WT"
> as available on my Verituner.  The conductor's only specification is
> to keep it at A4=440 for the wind instruments.  Any enlightenment
> regarding the lever on the right would be helpful.
> 
> It appears to need some regulation.  Some of the, ah, plectrums?
> engage the strings more deeply then others.  For me, a noticeable
> change in touch.  I probably won't get that deep into the instrument
> just before the concert but...incorrigible perfectionist that I am...
> 
> Andrew Anderson
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
Hi Andrew,
    I am not familiar with PS Purvis, but will guess at what it is like
based on your description. I suspect it has one set of strings, and is much
like Neupert, Sperrhake, Sabathil, and other pre "historic copy style"
instruments. Hence, I suspect the second lever is a "volume" lever, which
minutely adjusts the upper jack guide to make the plectra underhang the
strings a bit more, or a bit less, depending which way you manipulate it. In
some designs, this lever will push in and pull out, rather than pivot. The
other lever you describe, which moves a set of felts against or away from
the strings, is commonly called the "lute" or "buff" stop: it muffles the
attach, and creates rapid decay (the mechanism for this being pretty
obvious).
    As for the unevenness of touch (and probably sound) from differences in
how far the plectra underhang the strings, the "quick fix" is as follows: it
is likely that there is a top adjustment screw in each jack, which bears
against the top of the tongue (the hinged part the plectrum is actually
attached through - hinged so that the plectrum can get back under the string
on release of the key, and with a spring to get the plectrum back under the
string at rest). Turning the screw clockwise will push back on the tongue
(the top will have a bevel for this purpose), meaning the plectrum will
underhang less and the touch become less hard and tone softer. And vice
versa for counter-clockwise. One thing to watch is that the return spring is
strong enough to return the tongue to rest.
    That's probably about enough for you to know for this gig, assuming all
plectra are present, and no string breaks. Good luck. I'm heading out for my
annual Messiah gig this week: four rehearsals and three performances for the
local symphony (I rent them an instrument).
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico