Harpsichord

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  • 1.  Instrument workshop

    Member
    Posted 10-05-2020 09:43
    I am trying to order a set of strings from Instrument Workshop and getting no response by email or phone. Does anyone have any information about what may be going on with them? Also, if they can no longer supply brass string, does anyone have another source?

    Thank you.

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    Rex Roseman
    Akron OH
    330-289-2948
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  • 2.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-05-2020 10:20
    I don't know anything about current conditions at Instrument Workshop, but other sources in the US include Zuckermann and Harpsichord Clearing House. Further afield there is Malcolm Rose in England and there are various other European sources.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    University of New Mexico
    fssturm@unm.edu
    http://fredsturm.net
    www.artoftuning.com
    "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey






  • 3.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Posted 10-05-2020 11:46
    The Instrument Workshop did not reply to several attempts to make a rather generous order a few months ago. This was confirmed by other persons at that time.

    Hubbard Harpsichord is also non-responsive for about a year.

    If your instrument is similar to a Zuckermann model, they offer full sets at a fair price.

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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  • 4.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Member
    Posted 10-05-2020 21:57
    Thank you to all who replied. 

    The problem with this instrument is that it is a very early Zuckermann clavichord and was strung like a piano with one wire for two pins and no loops. Most places wanted to sell looped strings and I need bulk string. I will probably need to call some of the suggested suppliers to see about getting a special order. Zuckermann offered a replacement set but had no idea what model the instrument was. I am hesitant to put money into a "set" of strings that may not be for this instrument.







  • 5.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-06-2020 09:28
    Hello Fred and all - Malcolm Rose is a true fund of information. Together with his colleague David Law, who cast repro old piano hinges and other impossible-to-get Brass parts using the 'lost wax' principle, wrote an amazing 214 page soft-back book entitled: 'A Handbook of Historical Stringing Practice for Keyboard Instruments. The book is crammed with Tables of the stringing of specific instruments such as Conrad Graf, Wien 1820 . . etc. etc. together with many Graphs of String Tensions. One can get this exciting and intriguing book direct from Malcolm - in the same way he sends world-wide his Brass and Iron strings etc. I have sat, fascinated in his Workshop (just 5 miles from me) whilst he drew Brass strings for me. An amazing thing to watch!
    Michael Gamble  

    (I got this from Michael, who asked me to forward it, as the system didn't recognize his email address)
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    University of New Mexico
    fssturm@unm.edu
    http://fredsturm.net
    www.artoftuning.com
    "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." John Dewey






  • 6.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-06-2020 11:09
    I wonder if the fires in Marc's region could be the reason you have not heard from him. I was planning to order strings from him myself. There is a PTG member in Ashland so I will email her to see if she knows anything.

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    [Don] [McKechnie,] [RPT]
    [Piano Technician]
    [dmckech@ithaca.edu]
    [Home 607.277.7112]
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  • 7.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Posted 10-06-2020 14:00
    The problem of no replies from the Instrument Workshop goes back several months.
    I sent an email and left a phone message last May and have not had a reply.
    Others have had similar experiences.
    In the past Marc replied quickly, though I believe there was a problem period about three years ago.
    They were a good source for basic stuff.

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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  • 8.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Posted 10-07-2020 10:29
    I sent an email (to place an order) to Marc this morning at the Instrument Workshop and got the reply "mailbox full." Doesn't sound promising.

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    Sheila Hunter
    Winston Salem NC
    336-972-0594
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  • 9.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-07-2020 17:19
    I contacted Barb Barasa in Ashland and she told me that Marc is doing other work now and is no longer keeping up with the shop. This is sad news as the shop was always a reliable source for supplies. Barb is wondering if Marc might want to sell the business to someone who can keep it going. I would seriously consider doing so if it were not for my age and desire to remain semi-retired. Anyone out there willing to give it a go! :-)

    Harpsichord Clearing House recently revamped their website and you can see what supplies they sell. Apparently they only sell individual strings with the hitch loops and not the coils. They are selling Hubbard jack tongues which is a relief to know as it is not possible to contact Hubbard these days. From what I understand Hendrick is sort of working but rarely answers emails and calls.

    FYI, McMaster-Carr sells Delrin. I have always purchased Delrin from The Instrument Workshop so I guess I will be shopping around in the near future. Besides Malcolm Rose, Marc Vogel also sells wire. Might anyone know if Stephen Birkett is selling brass wire?


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    [Don] [McKechnie,] [RPT]
    [Piano Technician]
    [dmckech@ithaca.edu]
    [Home 607.277.7112]
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Instrument workshop

    Posted 10-08-2020 03:28
    Sheila - If you're having difficulty getting H'chord string why not check out Malcolm Rose? 

    Strings - Malcolm Rose

    www.malcolm-rose.com › Strings › strings
    Wires for harpsichords, clavichords and fortepianos. Strings - general information page. We have been making iron, brass, red brass, copper and tinned copper ...
         
    I also thoroughly recommend a copy of his book: 'A Handbook of Historical Stringing Practice for Keyboard Instruments'  A wealth of info.
    Michael  G.

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    Michael Gamble
    semi retired
    Brighton
    01273813612
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