Harpsichords Blog

Happy in my new home.

April 1, 2014

The Leigh Flanders Harpsichord has gone to Cheltenham. Here is a photo that my customer sent me:

It's great to have feedback when you sell a harpsichord to someone. Thank you!

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Second-hand

Re-voicing jacks with Leather plectra to Delrin quills.

March 29, 2014

The Dolmetsch spinet is the latest in a string of about five instruments that I have converted to play with Delrin plectra. Ist cut the old leather plectrum flush with the front of the jack. 2nd, tap it carefully out from the front of the tongue while supporting the back of the tongue on a block of wood that has a 5mm hole in it. 3rd, cut off .4mm from the top of the old leather plectrum (I'm getting quite good at this!) and replace the leather plectrum in the tougue, leaving a .4mm gap at t...
Continue reading...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Leather and Delrin Plectra

Work pending.....

December 23, 2013

Sadly, any new work will have to wait 10 weeks while I finish making a spinet, replace strings and re-voice one, or possibly two harpsichords and replace plectra and voice two virginals and a spinet. It's nice to be busy, but I'll be happier when I can fit in small tasks round the longer term renovations. Just now, making an English Harpsichord to replace the one I've just sold looks a long way off!

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

Three Michael Johnson Harpsichords for sale!

November 19, 2013

One double and two singles. These instruments are a delight to play, and at these prices, they won't be about for long. Look at them on my mail listings
Continue reading...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : New build

Back to the workshop with Storrs Harpsichord and EMS Bent-side Spinet.

November 16, 2013

Greenwich is over and I'm enjoying working at home again. I'm voicing three registers on a Storrs harpsichord and making the case of a mature Bent-side spinet after Keene and Brackley. I'm so lucky to enjoy the work I do! Let's see, it's Saturday evening, I think I'll go and do a bit of harpsichord making!
Continue reading...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

The Star Turn for Greenwich?

November 5, 2013

The singing, beer making Nuns of Leycock Abbey could be hitting Greenwich Early Music Festival this week. If they don't make it, there's still plenty of harpsichords to see there...Thurs-Sat, 7th-9th November 2013.

Continue reading...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Greenwich

Greenwich Early Music Festival.

October 28, 2013

Meet me on the Keyboard Instrument stand in the Painted Hall, Greenwich Royal Navel College between 10.00 and 17.30 from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th November 2013. More details on www.earlymusicfestival.com This year we have some antique instruments at newly reduced prices, a large range of Bizzi harpsichords and some good value used instruments. This is possibly the largest number of keyboard instruments for sale in one place in the world (and I have to tune more than half of them!)

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Second-hand

Spinet going to The Lowry, Manchester.

October 7, 2013

Here I go the be part of a special exhibition in The Lowry Gallery, Manchester. I'm still for sale, but can't be delivered until March 2014. Made in Paris in 1913 - just before Dolmetsch came to England.
Continue reading...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Second-hand