Harpsichords

Last updated on 11th February 2026.

Dear Loyal Customers,

Thank you for an excellent run of over 35 years, but unfortunately I am retiring on 30th March 2026. I will continue to keep my website live after that and I can recommend other makers and harpsichord technicians to help you.

Instruments for sale:

Italian harpsichord after Gregori by Peter Barnes 2023.
Gaiser Viennese action Square Piano c.1820.
Kirkman copy by John Barnes 1962.
Virginals by Sean Rawnsley 1981. Serviced and revoiced with new plectra.
1970's Single Manual English Harpsichord by John Horniblow FF-g3, 2 x 8' +4'.

Italian Harpsichord, closely copied from Gregori 1786, made by Peter Barnes in 2023.

This harpsichord follows the disposition of the original instrument with a short octave compass of C/E-d3 + e3. There are two 8' stops and a buff stop on the back 8'. Strung in Malcolm Rose brass wire throughout, this harpsichord is currently tuned to a=415 and has provision to transpose the compass to a=440 with the loss of the top note. This harpsichord can also be tuned to a=440 so the transposition is a=465.

This harpsichord has a cedarwood case, boxwood naturals and a fine spruce soundboard. The jacks are pearwood and the registers, bridge and wrestplank are beech. Dimensions are 190cm long, 81cm wide and 23cm high. The stands are 65cm high.

I can paint the case in a colour of your choice from the Little Greene paint range.

Sale price £6,995.

ZOOM0134.MP3

1970's English Harpsichord after Hitchcock made by John Horniblow currently undergoing renovation including replacement strings and plectra to all three registers.

This harpsichord has a compass FF-g3 and can be tuned to a=415 or 440, a walnut case, stand and lid with decorative strap hinges. I am happy to discuss the various options available regarding the key coverings, which are believed to be ivory. These include replacing the ivory with bone or a synthetic substitute or gifting you instrument and only charging for the renovation.

Please contact me for further details.

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 has been refurbished by myself in July 2025.

Reduced to £2,250.

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 £2,500. 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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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, 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:

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, quarter sawn, spruce.

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

It is currently tuned to a=430.

This instrument is available for £2,800. Now sold.

ZOOM0192.MP3

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.

Sold.

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

Italian harpsichord after Gregori by Peter Barnes 2025.

2 x 8' stops with a transposing compass giving C-d3 in both A=415 and A=440.

Cedarwood and poplar case with Spruce soundboard seasoned since the 1980's.

Pearwood jacks, beech wrestplank, registers and bridges.

Painted in 'Old English Red' oil paint.

This harpsichord is 191cm x 83cm x 23cm and weighs 26kg including the lid. The two stands are 66.5cm high and weigh 5kg. The harpsichord can be provided with a fitted travel cover.

This harpsichord is a perfect size, weight and volume for concert hiring.

Price £7995. Sold, but I'm making another one to the same specification!

Here are three samples, firstly some Purcell on both registers, then Byrd on the back register, then JSB on the front register. The harpsichord is at moderm pitch, Vallotti for these recordings.

PB2025bothregisters.mp3

PB2025backregister.mp3

PB2025front register.mp3

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.

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.

Italian Peter Stephens PB 2022.mp3

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

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.

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.

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 (+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