Instruments

Our harpsichords are patterned after antique instruments which are musically appealing and historically interesting. They range from close copies of original instruments to re-creations in a particular style, following ancient principles. We follow our prototypes closely in materials and details of construction. The keyboards and actions replicate those of the originals. Like those in the finest antiques, they are extremely responsive and give the player an intimate connection with the sound production.

Our concessions to modern reality include transposing keyboards on most models and an automatic system to maintain the height of the action, relative to the strings, in all weather.

All our instruments are custom built to order. We are always willing to consider new models or variations on ones we now offer.

A word on decoration:

The basic decoration of our instruments follows the more modest historical examples, appropriate to each style. It would be difficult to imagine a French harpsichord without a soundboard painting or a Flemish virginal without marbling and printed paper, so those are always standard. Most instrument rest on tasteful but modern trestle stands ­–a nod to practicality. We have often been asked to provide more elaborate stands and decoration. For the latter, we have relied on the talents of Janine Johnson, a long-time member of our shop.  All the decorative painting here is her work.