I recently bought a double manual harpsichord... on impulse! From a recycling centre. I knew nothing about harpsichords, I've never played one, but have always liked the sound. Plus it was just £100 (I'm in the UK) I couldn't leave it!
It had been stored in a damp warehouse so I was expecting a few 'issues' . I wasn't wrong.
Once I'd let let it acclimatise in my warm'ish house for a couple of weeks cracks appeared along the case sides. Careful application of epoxy glue and clamps has rectified that.
The felts under and on the keys were all crumbling so I've replaced those and spent several days with assorted felt and paper washers balancing the keys.
Other issues were mainly cosmetic.
The stumbling blocks now are the jacks. They're awful. There's no movement of the tongue when the jack drops, and the boars hair springs don't appear to have any spring at all.
I tried using some fine fishing trace wire but that doesn't help much.Some of the plectra need replacing but the main problem is the tongues pivot. I discovered that with some jacks you can push out the pivot and open up the hole in the tongue slightly to help them 'swing'. Not these blighters though. The pin's showing every resistance to being pushed out and I'm worried I'll just split the wood. The prospect of repeating this 189 times, even if I could, is daunting to say the least.
If I had the funds I'd replace the jacks but I haven't so that's out of the question.
I've attached a picture of one of the jacks.
Any suggestions or advice would be more than welcome.
Friends have advised me to sell it but what idiot would buy a harpsichord that doesn't play....... Ah....
Greg
P.S.There's no makers name anywhere so I'm assuming this was built from a kit. The case appears to be pine and is unpainted, although the soundboard is reasonably well painted. Although it would benefit from a paint 'job' It would take some preparation as the wood has previously been waxed.
P.P.S I know considerably more about harpsichords now :-)
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Greg Dilworth
Sherbourne
01926624450
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