Harpsichord - The best for last

I’m impressed! That is an involved project.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

My word, Gary, I’m impressed!!! I have to admit, I play a guitar but have never tried to build one but a harpsichord???? My heavens what a task. I’ll hand it to you, my,friend, this is a piece of work. It is beautiful. Hurry up and get to the next one, I want to see it.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Wow Gary, you’re not afraid to tackle anything!

Beautiful work. If you can make musical instruments, you can some money (I think…).

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Amazing Gary…..truly amazing. The crafstmanship you exhibit is astounding. Thanks for sharing,

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

My goodness! That is a masterwork, Gary. Bravo!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Wow.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

beautiful work … huge … really huge accomplishment !!

how does it sound ?? ... you should play it, record it and post the sound track in a blog !!

really interesting project.

been on my mind since I first noticed it 4 hours ago,

-- I made a cool back scratcher !!

Now that’s a project. Wow. You can do anything if you can builld something like that. I’d love to hear how that sounds.

-- Matt - Syracuse, NY

Gary that is an impressive piece – well done. I think Don will like it – but it probably won’t be his favorite, I hear he REALLY likes small boxes. The LJ Forum never ceases to amaze me – we sure have a talented bunch of artists/craftsman (and craftswomen) on this Forum. Visiting LJs is like visiting with family.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Holey cow!! that’s one heck of a project. I’d be to intimidated to take on such a project. My complements to the harpsichord master.

-- Express creativity with wood, Dewayne. Vacaville CA.

Great job. Truly an accomplishment to be proud of.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

This is one very serious project – way outside my skill-set! Terrific work, Gary. Thanks for sharing it with us mortals. LOL

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

I would enjoy hearing it played, can you capture an MP3 of it and share?

I liked the idea of cutting a diagonal to keep the keys in order, good idea (I’ll file that in the brain, maybe I’ll remember :)

-- "so much to learn and so little time"..

Excellent job!!! Are you a musician also?

wow thats all i can say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Phil, Chattanooga,TN

I never imaged a harpsicord being built by one person. I thought they ere just built in factories. Wow! what an achivement knoch to put on your belt. Good Job!

-- A man who moves mountains starts one stone at a time.

Thanks for all your great comments! I’m sorry to say it but I don’t know how to play the darn thing. Guitar
is the only thing I ever learned to play.

I had hoped that it would give me the inspiration to learn, but alas no. I’m about half way through making a violin also, but I’m pretty sure I’ll never learn to play it either.

I just hate making the same thing twice and I’m kind of running out of things to make.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Fantastic Gary,
You have to know what you’re doing on a project like this.
Who would ever have the time to learn, especially when you keep on building them.

I know a Blind person who built a Harpsichord, he was a piano tuner. He didn’t need the lights on in his shop, & he even operated his table saw.

I’ll check my files, & see if I have a picture of it.

I found the picture. This was taken in 1984 at a dinner theater at our church.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Dick – That is interesting. It looks like an early Hubbard or Zuckermann harpsichord kit. They make them all with curved sides now in the traditional way. Thanks for the picture.

I have heard of blind woodworkers before. You don’t hear about them very often.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Gary

Wow, this work puts you into the top end of the “wood craftsman” category – well done!

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

I was looking around on youtube and found someone playing a harpsichord
almost exactly like mine. If you are interested in hearing what it sounds like
being played by someone who knows how to play check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhH1MdzeH9k

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I just hope the next challenge isnt building a musical instrument…;)

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Maybe, Maybe.

I have plans for a clavichord and a xylophone.

They are on my list of things to make!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

my first thought was : “Why?”
all other thoughts following revolved around: “oh my goodness. Unbelievable!!!”

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Why?

Because I have never built one before. I don’t seem to like making more than one of anything.

I’m not a professional who makes things for money, but to have fun and learn new things.

Therefore I have to keep making different things.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Wow. That keyboard really took some patience, Gary. Great looking instrument!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’m speechless! :^O

-- Jesus is Lord!

I hear you Gary. I have a hard time making the same thing twice. I’m planning on making some more paddles for the rest of my siblings. It’s rare that I make 2 of anything never mind 5. I need to think of ways to make each a different challenge. At the least change the design. Maybe try my hand at woodburning ala Koopman

I can’t wait to see what you do next Gary. You’re one of the most talented jocks here and your work always inspires me.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

These are awesome, Gary. I just visited an old shop teacher of mine from the early 80’s. He scratch builds harpsichords. Wonderful instruments.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Great Job Gary.
You really have the patience for that kind of work.
I took a peak at the video on U tube and must say I can’t see myself getting a whole album of that stuff!

Also a guitar player . <g>
Have you tried building a guitar?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Bob,

No, I haven’t built a guitar (yet). I should since I know how to play one of those.

I am starting a blog on building a clavichord though. You might want to check that out.

Gary

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Well, I am finally getting around to finishing that big full size harpsichord in the last two pictures. I started it about 10 years ago and got tired of it because it was taking so long. I also got discouraged when the two keyboards I made for it started warping all over the place. I used the wrong type of wood. Oh well, live and learn.

I have just acquired something that should make it a very interesting project. It’s a MIDI interface kit from a new digital player piano. So I won’t have to learn to play. It will play itself.

I found some photographs I took during the construction. I will have to scan them. Then you will get to see the cramped garage I used to work in!

I will keep you posted.

Gary

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

No kidding…keep us posted! Wow!

Did you notice in the You-tube video that there is some inlay scene inside the top cover? That would absolutely crown yours!

The other thing I was pondering: How did they bend/make the bridge in the 1700’s?

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

I have to say, I admire the ambition to even ATTEMPT such a complex project! Some might say it’s no different than a full-size dresser, but somehow it’s just “way cooler” to have moving parts! You’ll also have to post a link to a 30-second sound clip!

-- Dekker - http://www.WoodworkDetails.com/

Dadoo – I just found out recently that they usually cut them out from a solid piece, or sometimes
3 pieces glued up woth a long scarf joint. If there wern’t drastic bends they would steam bend them.

They were usually made from beech which really takes to steam bending.

When I made the bridge for my clavichord, I inserted a spline into the stock before I cut it out. Kinda like
creating a piece of 3 ply plywood but just on the ends.

Gary

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Gary—I’ve been admiring your harpsichord/clavichord construction prowess—it’s beginning to look like a collection. Have you ever run across any marimba plans?

-- There's no tool like an old tool...

Sorry, no Marimba plans. I am planning on making one though.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.