Harpsichord maintenance
Updated August 2012
I provide maintenance of harpsichords after historical models to the highest standards.
Typically, such work includes the re-regulation of the plectra that are in place in the instrument, and the replacement of weak or otherwise compromised plectra (usually between five and fifteen in well-kept harpsichords). My goals are to produce durable plectra that enable the instrument to speak as it ‘wants’ to speak, and to achieve a regular overall impression.
Unless otherwise agreed, a regulation of the plucking points (staggering), and any necessary damper readjustment are included in the service. I also can take care of other minor technical issues, provided they can be solved outside a workshop.
I do not provide a re-stringing service. The stringing schedule of a harpsichord is part of the original design and ought to be modified by the builder of the instrument. I can, however, replace single broken strings if necessary.
- the revision of a two-manual harpsichord (using the existing plectra as much as possible) takes three to four hours. Variation is possible depending on the state of the instrument.
- fitting a whole two-manual harpsichord with new plectra takes about two working days.
I have maintained harpsichords for more than 30 years. All my private harpsichords are quilled with bird’s feathers. When voicing other instruments, I recommend Delrin plectra for a variety of reasons. I have extensive experience in voicing with this material.
Fee: 50 € per hour; travel costs are divided between customers. Ideally, I’m combining several maintenance and concert engagements in one place to ensure low travel costs per customer.
