[CAUT] Harpsichord Register Work time

[Wolfley, Eric (wolfleel)]

Hi Barbara,

 

I've done a number of these and I'll agree with Fred...it's a tough
question. It really depends on your fine-motor skill level and how
exacting you are willing to get with the voicing. Fred gave an excellent
class on harpsichord voicing at Rochester. Maybe you can persuade him to
e-mail you a copy of his handout.  My experience concurs with
Fred's...8-12 hours per register, more for an instrument without
adjusting screws. Approach it like a piano regulating job, making sure
all the foundation steps are done first so you will have everything such
as plectra length as consistent as possible. Keep your blade as sharp as
possible. You will get faster and better as the job progresses.

 

Eric

 

Eric Wolfley, RPT

Supervising Piano Technician

College-Conservatory of Music

University of Cincinnati

 

________________________________

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Fred Sturm
Sent: Wednesday, October 25, 2006 6:46 PM
To: caut
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Harpsichord Register Work time

 

On 10/25/06 8:44 AM, "Barbara Richmond" <piano57 at insightbb.com> wrote:

Hi all,

Oh, I love posing questions like this...

If one was experienced and competent at harpsichord work, how much time
(as in hours) would you expect to regulate and voice per register (1
keyboard, 2 registers).  Please assume that the only thing that has been
done is the plectra have been inserted and the instrument has never been
playable.  (Fitting the keys not included in this estimate.)

I'm just trying to come up with a fair charge for the work.  My
harpsichord experience is somewhat limited, though I have successfully
serviced them before (but, those instruments were up and running
already...).

Thanks.

Barbara Richmond, RPT
near Peoria, IL

Hi Barbara,
    It's a tough question, as I usually find myself stealing a bit of
time here and there to get such a job done, so don't have a good handle
on the total. My best guess is 4 - 12 hours. As I recall, the last time
I did a switchout of jacks and rails on a Z-box (Zuckermann kit from the
60s and 70s, the old plywood model that is omnipresent), it took me
about 12 hours total for the job, and between 4 and 6 of that was
voicing, which included installing plectra and damper felt. On a Hubbard
double manual I finished last year (finally) for my wife, I'm guessing I
averaged 8 - 12 hours a register. The Z-box was a quickie, make it work
reliably, cheaply, for a school that had it donated. The Hubbard was at
higher standard, but is still not really refined. I could easily spend
another twelve hours refining it (three registers).
    You have to include staggering, as well, assuming more than one
register, and that is troublesome with the lack of screws in the
Zuckermann design.
    You might give a holler to Michael Reiter, in the Tacoma area, who
does more harpsichord work than most (I don't think he is on this list),
and I would at least consider calling Hubbard and Zuckermann. Ask how
long it would take a reasonably good amateur, and how long it takes
their experts. They would probably tell you.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico 

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