Harpsichords

Last updated on 29th August 2025.

Instruments for sale:

French Double Manual Harpsichord after Taskin by Robert Deegan 1991.
Gaiser Viennese action Square Piano c.1820.
Kirkman Double Manual Harpsichord 1786. Under offer.
Kirkman copy by John Barnes 1962. Reduced.
Arnold Dolmetsch five octave clavichord. Reduced.
1973 Zuckermann Italian Harpsichord. Reduced to £750. Sold.
1972 Zuckermann Harpsichord. Reduced to £500. Sold.
Virginals by Sean Rawnsley 1981. Serviced and revoiced with new plectra.

1991 Robert Deegan two manual Goermans Taskin harpsichord.

This fine instrument has been regularly serviced and in excellent playing condition.

8’8’4’ and buff. Transposing a=415/440

This harpsichord is part of a private collection and available to view in Wiltshire near Trowbridge/ Bradford on Avon. Please enquire for more photos and a sound recording.

Offered for sale for £12,000 or nearest offer.

Below are two recordings of this instrument made on 13.8.2025:

Deegan Double1.mp3

Deegan Double2.mp3

Virginals made by Sean Rawnsley in 1981.

These finely made Italianate Virginals have a useful compass BB-c3, wooden jacks, cypress soundboard and case. A very light and musically responsive instrument which is undergoing refurbishment.

Available now, £2,450.

ZOOM0187.MP3

ZOOM0188.MP3

ZOOM0189.MP3

ZOOM0190.MP3

Gaiser square piano with Viennese action. c.1820. 6 octave FF-f4 with knee levers for dampers and moderator.

Available for sale for £2,800. Further photographs on this page: gaiser-piano-with-vineese-action-c1820.php

Below is a restoration report writen by John Barnes in 1976:

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Dolmetsch Five Octave Clavichord no 2002, made in 1981.

This beautiful clavichord is from the collection of Colin Booth. It has been well cared for and is in very good condition. It is in fine playing order and is a good example of the excellent workmanship of the Dolmetsch studios in Hazelmere. The case, stand, lid and music desk are walnut and the soundboard is close grained spruce.

The case measures 129cm x 45cm x 16cm and the stand is 63cm high.

This instrument is available for £2,800. Summer Sale price: £2,4995.

Italian Harpsichord by Gregori, 1786.

Available for sale for the first time since the 1950's.

Please see this page for details:gregori-harpsichord-1786.php

Now sold.

Double Manual English Harpsichord made by Kirkman in 1786.

Under offer. Please see this page for further details: kirchmann-harpsichord-1786.php

Zuckermann Harpsichord made and decorated by Douglas in 1973.

This harpsichord has a flamboyant and well executed case painting. It is a period piece from the 1970's harpsichord revival and is quite a show stopper!

I have completely renovated this harpsichord with new strings, jack tongues and plectra and has a new stand with four cabriole legs. The compass is BB-e3 with 1 x 8' stop and buff stop. Can is currently tuned to a=440 but can easily be retuned to a=415. The case measures 188cm long, 85cm wide and 23cm High and it sits on the cabriole leg stand which is 61cm high and folds down to 125cm x 61cm x 15cm so that both the instrument and stand will go in a hatchback car.

Now Sold.

1973 Zuckerman Italian.mp3

1973 Zuckermann Italian2.mp3

Zuckermann Harpsichord made by David Simmonds, Egham, 1972.

This harpsichord, which is made from a Zuckermann Kit, is offered for sale in basic playing condition and is currently tuned to a=440. I have spent a little time making sure that all the notes play, but it could do with some further renovation. The sound sample shows how it sounds.

The compass is BB-e3 with 2 x 8' stops and buff stop. It can be tuned to a=440 or 415. The case measures 188cm long, 86cm wide and 24cm high and it sits on three removable legs which are 65cm high. The instrument will go in a hatchback car.

Now Sold.

ZOOM0178.MP3

Harpsichord after Kirkman

by John Barnes 1962.

Built using a scaling based on Kirkman, this harpsichord is an interesting mixture of traditional soundboard, scaling and bridge dimensions coupled with a sloping case front and pedals for changing the registers.

Despite non-traditional looks, this harpsichord really does sound fantastic!

2x 8' with buff and 4' stops. FF-f3 and a keyboard which came from an 1800's Kirkman piano. Restrung in Malcolm Rose iron and brass wire.

Available for long term hire for £180 per month or to purchase for £3,995. Sale price: £2,995.

If you haven't found the instrument that you are looking for, or if you are wanting to sell an instrument, please try David Hackett's excellent website: https://www.friendsofsquarepianos.co.uk/

Also The British Harpsichord Society: https://www.harpsichord.org.uk/for-sale/

And The Early Music Shop: https://earlymusicshop.com/collections/previously-owned-keyboards

Below are some of the instruments which I have sold recently:

Delin Flemish Single by Peter Barnes, April 2020.

Harpsichord with 2 x 8' stops with buff. GG-f3 transposing 415/440 with full compass in both settings. This harpsichord has an exceptionally sweet sound with plenty of volume, due in part to the fabulously light French Poplar case and generous soundboard area.

Decorated soundboard in the style of Albertus Delin c.1750 painted by Jennifer Douglas and case papers in the earlier Ruckers style. Ebony natural keyplates and imitation ivory sharp cappings.

Case is 213cm long, 89cm wide and 27cm deep. The stand is 73cm high.

Finished on 4th April 2020.

Now sold. A similar instrument is available to commission for £11,000.

Played by a visitor to my workshop:

Delin Single Oct2020.mp3

Played by myself:

Delin PB 2020 Back 8'.mp3

Delin PB 2020 Both 8's.mp3

Delin PB 2020 Buff stop.mp3

Italian Harpsichord by Peter Barnes 2022.

This Single Manual Italian Harpsichord was started at the London College of Furniture by Peter Stephens c.2000. It was at an early stage with the case made and sides prepared for fitting.

Peter Barnes has now finished the instrument and is is provided with 2 x 8' stops with buff stop and a transposing compass from C-d3 in both a=415 and 440 pitch.

The harpsichord has been strung in brass and bronze and produces a full and rich tone throughout the compass, ideal for solo repertoire and continuo playing.

The jacks are Pearwood and registers are Beech.

Now Sold. Orders taken. Price in the region of £9,000.

Italian Peter Stephens PB 2022.mp3

This is the same instrument on hire at Exeter Cathedral before it was painted:

Italian Harpsichord after Gregori 1726.

Enlarged compass GG-e3 transposing. 2 x 8' stops with buff. This harpsichord was made on commission for a customer in Edinburgh.

Further copies of this instrument, with a choice of compass and decoration are available, made to order, from £9,000.

Italian PB 2022 GG-e3.mp3

Delin Double Manual Harpsichord by Peter Barnes. 2020.

BB-d3. Transposing a=415/440. 2x8' with buff stop.

Case and lid made from French Poplar, Beech wrestplank, bridges, jacks and registers, Spruce soundboard, solid oak stand which can be reduced to three sections for transport. Case painted red and black with bronze powder bands. A compact double manual harpsichord which is ideal for concert hiring.

Size 212cm long, 82cm wide and 28cm high, on a stand which is 73cm high.

Now Sold. Orders taken. Price in the region of £12,000.

Recording made by a visitor to my workshop 24.10.2020

Delin Double Goldberg Extracts 2020.mp3

English Harpsichord by Peter Barnes 2021.

English Harpsichord jan2022.mp3

This harpsichord was made by Peter Barnes in 2022. It is in the English tradition, based on the c.1713 bentside spinet by Keene and Brackley and the 1709 harpsichord by Thomas Barton. It has traditional wooden jacks, guides and keyboard, a detachable lid and a folding music desk. The case is solid timber and the inside of the case and the nameboard are cedar, with cross-banded capping.

The harpsichord is strung with Malcolm Rose Iron and brass wire, it has 2x8’ stops with Buff, and a walnut case and stand. The GG - f3 compass transposes A440 / 415 without loss of top or bottom notes.

The stand detaches from the harpsichord and can be easily packed flat. This harpsichord is 193cm long, 88cm wide and 21cm deep. An ideal instrument to use for hiring.

This harpsichord has been sold. A similar instrument can be commissioned for about £9,000.

Good quality Keyboard instrument for sale?

I am happy to value your instrument for you and suggest how you could sell it if you would like helpful advice.

Further details on: selling-your-harpsichord.php

You can contact me by phone on 01373 831498 or (+44)7733619002, or by email peterbarnes850@btinternet.com or via this page: contact-us-and-instrument-transport-links.php

Peter Barnes 00447733619002 mailto:peterbarnes850@btinternet.com

Peter Barnes Harpsichords