My Harpsichords

Decided to post some photos of the three harpsichords I've built.
Pictured from top to bottom, my opus III, a French Single, FF-f''', 8x8/buff, double transposing, built on commission, now in Philadelphia, PA;
my Opus II, a Flemish Single, GG-d''', 8x8/buff, transposing, now in Canton, MI,
and my Opus I, a Flemish Double, GG-d''', 8x8x4/buff, non transposing, soon to be delivered to its new owner in NH.

Finishing touches

While there remains much work to do, the Stodart is now in reasonably good playing condition.

I am now in the process of eliminating buzzes, clicks, and various small, but very annoying technical problems.

Fortunately, the action has withstood the constant musical assault it has been subjected to, despite my most powerful fortissimo playing.

The next step will be to restore the damper action, which will hopefully improve the action's very poor damping capabilities, particularly in the bass.

Farewell, old friend...

Opus I has been sold, and will be living in New Hampshire, at the home of a Methodist minister.

I hate to part with it, but am happy with the knowledge that it will be going to a good home, only two hours away.

Still, it's sad to see "my baby" go.

Sigh...

Stodart/Action

After engaging in mortal combat with the newly restored action, I have won the battle, bringing the Stodart several steps closer to perfect playing condition.

The action presented a host of problems to be solved, including badly warped keys, twisted keyframe, sluggish jacks, and of course, several shanks and hammers which needed to be fabricated and replaced.

One of the most perplexing problems, however, involved the upward bowing of the rear keyframe rail.

The combination of the shift return spring's constant pressure on the keyframe and the shift pedal toggle's pulling and lifting of the keyframe resulted in the rail's developing a permanent, upward arch.

This condition required the installation of an additional "hold down" bracket, fastened to the lower rail of the damper action,  just to the left of center of the rear keyframe rail.

In an earlier post, I suggested that the missing ivories were the

least of this action's various problems.

That suggestion proved to be quite true.