[CAUT] haprsichord information

[Andrew Anderson]

A customer of mine obtained a Challis harpsichord and I must say that  
I really enjoyed it.  The last string in the high register snapped  
before it would go into tune.  I'm going to have to look into resizing  
it.  I need some more jacks for the lower register, three if I recall  
correctly.

When I sat down to tune it I was surprised how close to in-tune it was  
after more then a year from its last service and a move.  It seems to  
have a metal soundboard.  My wife gave a recital on it and a Sauter I  
sold them.  I may not have discriminating ears for harpsichords but it  
sounded great to me.

Andrew Anderson, Artisan Piano

On Apr 22, 2009, at 2:41 PM, Ed Sutton wrote:

> According to Zuckerman, in The Modern Harpsichord (1969), this is a  
> phenolic bushing in an aluminum wrestplank. R & R followed the path  
> of Challis in seeking stability by replacing wood with aluminum.The  
> hole and tuning pin are tapered. Pins were tightened by tapping. If  
> the stuff is cracking, you may have an opportunity to add your  
> creativity. Maybe you can replace the phenolic with wood plugs, or  
> install a wood wrestplank.
>
> Ed Sutton
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Dr. Henry Nicolaides
> To: College and University Technicians
> Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:42 PM
> Subject: [CAUT] haprsichord information
>
> Hi list,
>
> We have a circa 1970 Rutkowski & Robinette.  Does anyone know if  
> they are still building and/or any contact information.  It has some  
> loose tuning pins that do not appear to be in a wood pin block of  
> any sort.  More like some sort of composite material.  Some look  
> like tuning pin bushings that are on top of the block surface.  They  
> have a tendency to crack when driving the pin in further.  A few  
> strings need replacing now and I would suspect restrings would be  
> nice if bringing this once fine instrument back to performance  
> level.  We have a new faculty that wants to use it with historical  
> temperaments in performance and also some recording.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Henry Nicolaides, Piano Technician
> SIU School of Music
> 1000 S. Normal Avenue
> Carbondale, Illinois 62901
>
> email: henryn at siu.edu
>
> Rediscover Hotmail®: Get e-mail storage that grows with you. Check  
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