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The Italian Harpsichord Early 16th C.
This
harpsichord
is
based
on
the
anonymous
Neapolitan
instrument
in
the
Museum
of
Fine
Art,
Boston
which
is
thought
to
date
from
about
1550.
It
is
one
of
the
few
Italian
harpsichords
that
can
be
positively
identified
as
having
had
an
original
disposition
of
1x8
1x4,
which
was
not
uncommon
in
the
early
period
of
Italian
harpsichord
building.An
unusual
feature
is
the
soundboard
which
is
made
of
maple
(European
sycamore)
rather
than
the
more
usual
cypress.
It
also
has
a
feature
possibly
derived
from
the
15th
century
where
the
baseboard
is
raised
about
7mm.
above
the
level
of
the
sides
of
the
instrument
so
that
it
is
free
to
resonate.
Research
by
John
Koster
and
others
has
revealed
that
this
harpsichord
is
possibly
related
to
others
that
have
a
similar
baseboard
arrangement
and
also
originate
from
the
Naples
area.
For
the
instrument
that
I
offer
the
original
design
has
been
closely
followed
including
the
maple
soundboard
with
minimal
barring
and
raised
baseboard.The
internal
components
are
made
from
pine
and
lime
with
numerous
supporting
knees
making
an
inner
frame
that
is
both
light
and
strong.
It
produces
a
beautifully
rich
bass
with
an
almost
bell
like
treble
and
four
foot
register.
The
sides
are
also
made
of
sycamore
with
finely
d
etailed
moulding
profiles,
the
rose
is
pearwood
with
layers
of
parchment.
Keyboard
and
action
are
of
beechwood
in
the
Italian
manner
with
traditional
box
slides.
Jacks
are
also
beechwood
fitted
with
Delrin
plectra.
Boxwood
is
used
for
the
natural
keys
and
arcades
and
the
sharps
are
pearwood
topped
with
ebony.
The
instrument
can
be
supplied
painted
or
in
natural
maple
with
an
oiled
finish.
An
outer
case
is
also
available
with
matching
turned
stand
or
the
instrument
can
be
constructed,
false
inner-outer.
A
detailed
description
of
the
original
instrument
is
given
in,
"Keyboard
Musical
Instrument
in
the
Museum
of
Fine
Art,
Boston",
by
John
Koster.
Specification:
Compass:
C/E-c’’’
short
octave
(as
original)
or
C
–
c’’’
Disposition:
1
x
8,
1
x
4.
Strung
throughout
in
brass
Pitch:
a'
=
415Hz.
Dimensions:
1940 x 685mm.
©2019 Carl Rennoldson BSc.
Home
The Italian Harpsichord Early 16th C.
This
harpsichord
is
based
on
the
anonymous
Neapolitan
instrument
in
the
Museum
of
Fine
Art,
Boston
which
is
thought
to
date
from
about
1550.
It
is
one
of
the
few
Italian
harpsichords
that
can
be
positively
identified
as
having
had
an
original
disposition
of
1x8
1x4,
which
was
not
uncommon
in
the
early
period
of
Italian
harpsichord
building.An
unusual
feature
is
the
soundboard
which
is
made
of
maple
(European
sycamore)
rather
than
the
more
usual
cypress.
It
also
has
a
feature
possibly
derived
from
the
15th
century
where
the
baseboard
is
raised
about
7mm.
above
the
level
of
the
sides
of
the
instrument
so
that
it
is
free
to
resonate.
Research
by
John
Koster
and
others
has
revealed
that
this
harpsichord
is
possibly
related
to
others
that
have
a
similar
baseboard
arrangement
and
also
originate
from
the
Naples
area.
For
the
instrument
that
I
offer
the
original
design
has
been
closely
followed
including
the
maple
soundboard
with
minimal
barring
and
raised
baseboard.The
internal
components
are
made
from
pine
and
lime
with
numerous
supporting
knees
making
an
inner
frame
that
is
both
light
and
strong.
It
produces
a
beautifully
rich
bass
with
an
almost
bell
like
treble
and
four
foot
register.
The
sides
are
also
made
of
sycamore
with
finely
d
etailed
moulding
profiles,
the
rose
is
pearwood
with
layers
of
parchment.
Keyboard
and
action
are
of
beechwood
in
the
Italian
manner
with
traditional
box
slides.
Jacks
are
also
beechwood
fitted
with
Delrin
plectra.
Boxwood
is
used
for
the
natural
keys
and
arcades
and
the
sharps
are
pearwood
topped
with
ebony.
The
instrument
can
be
supplied
painted
or
in
natural
maple
with
an
oiled
finish.
An
outer
case
is
also
available
with
matching
turned
stand
or
the
instrument
can
be
constructed,
false
inner-outer.
A
detailed
description
of
the
original
instrument
is
given
in,
"Keyboard
Musical
Instrument
in
the
Museum
of
Fine
Art,
Boston",
by
John
Koster.
Specification:
Compass:
C/E-c’’’
short
octave
(as
original)
or
C
–
c’’’
Disposition:
1
x
8,
1
x
4.
Strung
throughout
in
brass
Pitch:
a'
=
415Hz.
Dimensions:
1940 x 685mm.
©2019 Carl Rennoldson BSc.