Harpsichords

Last updated on 29th May 2025.

Welcome to my website!

Instruments for sale:

Gaiser Viennese action Square Piano c.1820.
Clavicytherium C-d3 2 x 8' stops.
Kirkman Double Manual Harpsichord 1786.
Kirkman copy in revival case by John Barnes 1962.
Arnold Dolmetsch small spinet number 709.
Arnold Dolmetsch five octave clavichord.
John Storrs 4 1/2 octave Spinet.
1973 Zuckermann Italian Harpsichord.
1972 Zuckermann Harpsichord for renovation.

I'm busy until October 2025, so you may like to see if there are other harpsichord makers and technicians that I recommend closer to where you live: uk-harpsichord-makers-and-technicians

Clavicytherium with 2 x 8' stops. This instrument was probably made c.1980. No maker's name has been found, but the workmanship indicates a professional maker. I think this instrument is an enlarged copy of the Italian Clavicytherium in the Smithsonian Institute in the USA.

The natural keyplates are boxwood and the sharps are ebony. The jacks are pearwood and the tongues boxwood. Registers, bridges, etc are made in beech and the tuning pins are oblong headed, tapered and with holes drilled for strings.

The soundboard was replaced and painted recently as part of an unfinished Lockdown restoration project. I have just finished the task; I have restrung this instrument in Malcolm Rose brass set it up with new Delrin plectra.

I still have to make a music desk for the instrument, which will fit in the little lugs that are above the jackrail.

For those who don't know, the keys are guided in the traditional way for a harpsichord with a balance pin and pins at the back of the keys. The keys have a vertical upstand on the back which is guided in another rack. The jacks have an adjustable tail with an 'n' shaped recess and they sit on a curved knuckle on the top of the upstand. This design works well; To remove and replace the jacks as the backs need to be lifted slightly by pushing them down at the front. Tuning is achieved with a tuning key with a long shank.

The benefit of a Clavicytherium over the traditional harpsichord is the delightful immediacy of the sound and the very much reduced footprint of the stand. It is also a fantastic 'looker'!

The Clavicytherium is 172cm tall, 80cm wide and 36cm deep. The stand is 64cm high, 86cm wide and 40cm deep. The critical dimension for most people will be the height. This instrument stands 233cm high when on the stand. The stand has a 3cm recess for the instrument and it can be slid off the back of the stand. Your ceiling will need to be 235cm high at the very minimum!

I am offering it for sale for just £2,995.

I have provided two rather rambling sound samples below. The first one starts with the middle plucking 8', then the other one, then both.

ZOOM0177.MP3

ZOOM0176.MP3

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

Available for sale. 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 Spinet number 709.

Small spinet with walnut case and legs, measuring only 113cm long x 50cm front to back at the widest point x 17cm deep. The legs are 63cm long. The Spinet weighs about 15kg. The compass is 4 1/2 octaves, at 8' pitch, C-f3 without the bottom C sharp. The case is unusual in that it has a rounded tail. The soundboard is decorated with arabesques and the jacks and registers are pearwood. It can be tuned to a=440 or 415.

This spinet has just been renovated I have retained the covered bass strings and replaced all the steel strings with brass and iron strings. I have replaced the leather plectra with Delrin and set it up so that it all plays evenly. The sound is sweet and surprisingly powerful for such a small instrument.

Sound recordings to follow shortly.

It is available for £1950.

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.

Available for sale. Please see this page for further details: kirchmann-harpsichord-1786.php

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 condition 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.

Spinet made by John Storrs c.1990.

This useful and compact spinet is in good playing condition and fits easily on the back seat of a car. The 4 1/2 octave compass is ideal for accompanying small ensembles and for solo practice. It can be tuned to a=415 or 440 and could be adapted to transpose with the loss of the top f3 at a small extra charge.

The case and stand are made from solid walnut and the spinet measures 100cm across the front, 75cm front to back and 17cm deep, the spine is 110cm long. The spinet sits on a stand which is 66cm high and which can be taken apart into four, flat sections for ease of transport.

The asking price is £1,150. Under offer.

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ZOOM0175.MP3

Zuckermann Harpsichord made and decorated by Douglas in 1973.

Flamboyant and well executed case painting in 1970's style, expert wood-grain painting on the soundboard and nameboard. A pretty period piece from the hey day of the 1970's harpsichord revival. Quite a show stopper.

Newly renovated with new strings and plectra and awaiting a new stand (not shown in photos). The compass is BB-e3 with 1 x 8' stop and buff stop. Can be tuned to a=440 or 415. The case measures 188cm long, 85cm wide and 23cm High and it sits on a 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 medium sized hatchback car.

Offers in the region of £1,300.

Also available to 'click and collect' for hiring. You transport and tune the instrument yourself for the most reasonable rates. Prices from £100 per hiring.

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 as a renovation project.

Refurbishing this harpsichord is an excellent way to become acquainted with the workings of harpsichords and could include the following work:

Replacing strings and plectra,

Setting up the action to make it work well,

Decorative improvements.

I am willing to give advice on the above suggestions.

The compass is BB-e3 with 1 or 2 x 8' stop and buff stop. Once renovated it can be tuned to a=440 or 415. The case measures 188cm long, 86cm wide and 24cm High and it sits on three legs which are 65cm high. The instrument will go in a medium sized hatchback car.

Offers in the region of £350.

Italian Harpsichord after Gregori made by Peter Barnes in 2023.

2 x 8' stops with buff stop. C/E short octave to e3 (without eb3). Transposing keyboard giving 415/440 or 440/465 tunings. This compact and light harpsichord is strung in brass wire and has a cedarwood case, spruce soundboard, boxwood and ebony keyboard and pearwood jacks, registers, bridges and wrestplank.

The tone is large and full and the touch responsive and even. This instrument weighs 25kg and is 191cm long, 81cm wide and 24cm high.

This harpsichord is now sold and the new owner, Debra Wong, has sent me this recording of her playing:

ZOOM0134.MP3

ZOOM0135.MP3

ZOOM0136.MP3

ZOOM0137.MP3

ZOOM0138.MP3

ZOOM0139.MP3

I have now started making two copies of this harpsichord with a compass C-d3, transposing a=415/440. The first one is already sold and should be ready in April 2025. The second one will be started later in 2025 and can be pre-ordered for £9,995.

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.

If you haven't found the instrument that you are looking for, 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.

Available to view in my workshop. The asking price is £7,995.00 Reduced to £7,500 and now sold.

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 William Dow, c.1975.

2 x 8' stops with C-d3, four octave plus one note compass. Traditional boxwood naturals and bog oak accidentals with box guides and wooden jacks. Has been restrung in brass and phosphor bronze wire and is currently tuned to a=440, but can be tuned to a=415. The plectra have been replaced with white Delrin. The soundboard is made from Cypress wood and there is a fine rose.

The paintwork shows marks caused by badly sealed knots in the case and lid timber and could benefit from repainting. The harpsichord is 208cm long x 85cm wide x 22cm high. The stand is 66cm high.

Sold.

William Dow Italian.mp3

Clavichord by John Morley number 612 c.1965.

This early Morley clavichord is unusual in that it has a walnut case and trestle stand also made in walnut. It has all the features of the later clavichords but is in some ways a more desirable instrument.

The compass is four octaves and a note, C-d3 and it measures 112cm x 40cm x 15cm and is on a stand which is 62cm high. It is currently tuned to a=440 and is available to play in my workshop.

Sold

Morley Clavichordc1965.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:

German Double Manual Harpsichord made by Colin Booth in 2020.

This harpsichord has a compass GG-e3 and transposes to a=415/440 pitch.The registration is 2 x 8' with buff and 4' stops. The case is decorated with painted marble, it has a parchment rose and decorative arabesque borders on the soundboard. The harpsichord is complete with turned stand, music desk and traveling cover and is in fine playing condition.

Here is a description written by the maker, Colin Booth:

This harpsichord was completed in early 2020. It is based on the design of an anonymous 2-manual instrument in the Musical Instrument Museum, Leipzig, no. 74 in Herbert Henkel’s catalogue.

The original is considered to be German, and to have been made around 1700. It is unsigned, and has been internally altered at least once, but the basic design is very convincing, and attracted me to make a harpsichord particularly suited to the classic German repertoire of Bach, Handel, etc..

The compass of the original is GG – c3: a typical late 17^th century compass. It was only necessary to extend the instrument a little in the treble to increase the keyboard to GG – e3, adding a transposer for use at a = 415 and a = 440. Stringing is in Rose iron and brass. Plectra are black Delrin, which has been shown to have exceptional longevity over my years as a harpsichord maker. The octave register is quilled in white Delrin, for ease of voicing.

The original’s Italianate filigree soundboard rose has been imitated, and additional decoration around the bridges and on the jack rail is in red and gold. The original’s rather odd Italian-style stand (probably from a different instrument) has been replaced by one in a German style. With removable legs and feet, it can be completely dismantled.

The touch is firm and reassuring, and the tone of this harpsichord is unusually bright and clear. I have found it well-suited to counterpoint, having unusual balance and clarity in all parts of the compass.

The asking price is £17,500. Sold.

The recording to follow below is played not very well by me but I hope it gives an impression of the potential of this instrument:

CBooth2020.mp3

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.

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 on long term hire and is now sold. A similar instrument may be available for about £8,000.

Good quality Keyboard instruments wanted.

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