Harpsichords Blog

Sunny Weather

August 21, 2019

The Joy of a workshop and plenty to do!

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Weather 

 

Restringing Michael Thomas single manual harpsichord

August 6, 2019
Thoroughly cleaned and now being restrung, I am interested to see just how nice this 1971 instrument sounds with Iron and Brass strings and new plectra. So many makers were still using steel strings in the 1970's but the sound has so many high harmonics and so little warmth.
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : String replacement 

 

Welcome Clavichord!

July 26, 2019
This one is like an old friend come back to visit! My dad designed it, closely following a Double Fretted clavichord in Den Hague, Holland. Made by Anthony Calvert, who I know well, and brought to me by another friend in Cambridge....
I have replaced a string and tuned it. It sounds so full and resonant for such a portable instrument. Now I have an instrument to take on sailing holidays! (until it sells for £1,3500).
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Second-hand 

 

Three used instruments to welcome and sell!

June 28, 2019
Not much time for making this week. I have three arrivals in the showroom: A beautiful Michael Johnson single, a Spinet which I made in 2002 and a English/Italian harpsichord after Barton. The Barton sold in three days!


The Hass clavichord copy by Douglas Hollick is ready to go to Latvia, a refurbished Hubbard Double is off to Glasgow and a little Zuckermann single is going to Cornwall... All go!
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Posted by Peter Barnes.

 

New Flemish Harpsichord after Albertus Delin.

May 18, 2019
I'm now making a Flemish harpsichord out of very light French poplar, specially imported from a little saw mill in the south of France. 
The case is made and I'm working on the soundboard today.
The instrument is 210cm long, 88cm wide and 26cm high, slightly smaller than the Delin harpsichord kit produced some years ago by the Early Music Shop. The most striking difference however is the weight; American Tulip Wood, often called Poplar, is much more dense than French Poplar. I can't stop myself...
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : New build 

 

Hubert copy clavichord to finish...

December 30, 2018
Having had time off to sail across the Atlantic, I’m enjoying being back in the workshop again. 
You don’t have to sail 600 miles away from the nearest land in order to enjoy a digital detox. Just leave your iPhone in the kitchen while you go and play the Harpsichord for an hour a day. The joy of sailing by the stars and a magnetic compass was liberating. A flat that is not to hot, not too cold, too dry or too damp provides an ideal environment for you as well as your Harpsichord. If the c...
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on... 

 

John Storrs spinet to revoice.

November 2, 2018

A bit of a rush for this one. Just three days for revoicing and all other adjustments.
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Posted by Peter Barnes.

 

Back on Harpsichord repairs after a long break!

August 13, 2018
Two double basses, and quite a bit of sailing later, I’m now taking on Harpsichord repairs again. My father’s 1971 Italian Harpsichord has been restrung and revoiced with new plectra, and is now back in Cambridge, and the latest project is a 1960 American double by Herz which requires new tongue springs.
The original springs moulded as part of the jack body were failing after 58years, so, inspired by Morley jack springs, here are the new ones on the left. Only 189 to do!
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on... 

 

Double Bass under construction.

October 17, 2017
I am now making my second double bass. the table is now carved and is made from solid Spruce. The case sides, back, neck and scroll are Sycamore and the fingerboard is ebony.
It should be ready to play some time in 2018, by which time I hope our government will have abandoned Brexit! 
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on... 

 

Restoration of 1962 John Barnes harpsichord after Kirchmann.

August 14, 2017
Having sold all my harpsichords except one, it is high time that i replaced the steel strings with Malcolm Rose's lovely iron wire, and while I am about it, I'll replace action felt with traditional woven cloth. Most enjoyable!
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on... 

 
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About Me


Harpsichord Maker, restorer, repairer and vendor.