<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] Harpsichord Register Work time</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> On 10/25/06 8:44 AM, "Barbara Richmond" <piano57@insightbb.com> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>Hi all, Oh, I love posing questions like this... If one was experienced and competent at harpsichord work, how much time (as in hours) would you expect to regulate and voice per register (1 keyboard, 2 registers).  Please assume that the only thing that has been done is the plectra have been inserted and the instrument has never been playable.  (Fitting the keys not included in this estimate.) I'm just trying to come up with a fair charge for the work.  My harpsichord experience is somewhat limited, though I have successfully serviced them before (but, those instruments were up and running already...). Thanks. Barbara Richmond, RPT near Peoria, IL </BLOCKQUOTE>Hi Barbara,     It’s a tough question, as I usually find myself stealing a bit of time here and there to get such a job done, so don’t have a good handle on the total. My best guess is 4 – 12 hours. As I recall, the last time I did a switchout of jacks and rails on a Z-box (Zuckermann kit from the 60s and 70s, the old plywood model that is omnipresent), it took me about 12 hours total for the job, and between 4 and 6 of that was voicing, which included installing plectra and damper felt. On a Hubbard double manual I finished last year (finally) for my wife, I’m guessing I averaged 8 – 12 hours a register. The Z-box was a quickie, make it work reliably, cheaply, for a school that had it donated. The Hubbard was at higher standard, but is still not really refined. I could easily spend another twelve hours refining it (three registers).     You have to include staggering, as well, assuming more than one register, and that is troublesome with the lack of screws in the Zuckermann design.     You might give a holler to Michael Reiter, in the Tacoma area, who does more harpsichord work than most (I don’t think he is on this list), and I would at least consider calling Hubbard and Zuckermann. Ask how long it would take a reasonably good amateur, and how long it takes their experts. They would probably tell you. Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico </BODY> </HTML>