My Harpsichord complete

....and let me guess. You built it out of a 2X4 you found in the road. Gary that is just AWSOME!!!!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Very impressive, Gary! You ARE quite the glutton for punishment. Excellent job. When are you going to build the wooden type writer?

-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com

Gary this is a gorgeous project! I saw the video and I`m very impressed.

Gary, a man of many talents.

That’s way over my head but I can’t help but be fascinated with the operation and your execution.
I wonder why nobody ever designed a piano like that with a double decker sound board?
You gonna start a band now?

Bob

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

wow ! very nice gary ! i like the color as well . your just an amazing craftsman .

-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes

I gone through the blog of this a few times just to try and take it all in and it still boggles the mind to see it. The completed piece is fantastic. A definite example of craftsmanship.

-- If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. No use being a darn fool about it.

I am shaking my head in wonder and awe. Amazing!!! What’s next???

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Gary you are not only a master craftsman, but a true genuis !

Is the PianoDisc an item from a catalog or did you scrape something together ?

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

wow this is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. you should be very, very, very….. proud of yourself. if there is a “construct and instrument” contest in the future i think you’ve already won. FANTASTIC JOB!

-- if you haven't already check out my blog http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/teenagewoodworker/blog/3961

Electronics AND woodworking. I’m impressed.

-- Bruce from Central New York

Amazing, Gary. Nice work and a great sounding instrument!

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

I just want to type ” !!!!!!”
words cannot possibly describe my reaction.
Awe-some and a beautiful sound.

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

Unbelievable. Impressive in so many ways. I think I like best that you did not give up…even after ten years.

-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com

And I thought that you had been idle all this time. What I want to know is when did you have time to do this? After doing all the reviews/posts/projects that you have and playing with your bandsaw there simply isn’t enough time left over for a project like this. Have you managed to “engineer” a clone of yourself? :)

This is a wonderful project. And it is one I think that I (even though being “musically challenged” ) could learn to play. I am truly impressed. You are a man of many talents and abilities.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

2nd batch of tunes were great. how about some beatles ?

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

Kewlest MIDI instrument of all time!

I hope you stick around here for a long time. It will be a constant source of amazement to see you continually topping yourself!

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

Dan – Any suggestions for songs?

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

now you need to create the LJ theme song…

Gary just amazing…and ditto dennis mitchell;s comment…cause that had me LMAO

-- Matt, Napa, CA: Lj's...I love logging on--I feel so young after being around teenagers all day!

Very impressive Gary, but the question remains can you play it yourself or rather can it still be played manually?
this definitly goes into the favorites box! I’ll have to read the blog.
Thanks for posting this.

-- --Chuck

I can’t play it but it can be played as you normally would. The player unit doesn’t change a single thing.

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

Amazing. Can the midi deal play different velocities?

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

After all your great projects this one just blows my mind, it is fantastic. Great job, I think this earns that mastercraftman title. Congraulations !!

-- Tom D

Giz – Since the harpsichord plucks the string, different velocities won’t make a difference. In fact I turn down all the velocities to their lowest setting just to save it from beating itself up

The MIDI unit itself can play different velocities. It was made for a piano.

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

Gary, Just fanatastic. The sound is wonderful. I am sure that this final outcome has been well worth the wait.

CtL

-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."

Just read the blog Gary, man that’s a lot of work you put into this piece! Grand piano next???

-- --Chuck

It’s been said before and I will say it again, Wow! Wow! Wow! AWSOME! Very impressive! Excellent job! Amazing craftsmanship! Fantastic job! Great sounding instrument! I should have that as background music as I read all of the post here.

-- Ron in Osseo, Minnesota

You are out of control… As if building a harpsichord wasn’t accomplishment enough, no you have to make it a player too…
You keep it up and we are going to have to do an intervention…
Seriously that is AWESOME!!!

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever... - Keats

Thanks for all your great comments.

grovemadman – No Grand Piano! I do have a half built violin though.

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

Speechless!! And I was proud of my latest box – hate to show it now. You da Man Gary.

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

Gary,

My vote is for a pipe organ next. You need one for your growing collection of Baroque period instruments.

Well done!

BTW, I think I saw the old genius Johann’s Ghost in one of those frames. He would be in good company.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

wow unbelibable that is an old art form in a new context. Whats next Mozart. again WOW

Dig the boogie-woogie harpsichord! You do some extraordinarily amazing work…I can’t imagine how that mind of yours works!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

ChicoWoodnut

You know I would love to make a pipe organ but I just don’t have anyplace to put it.

I have actually thought about it though.

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

Gary,

GOODNESS, GRACIOUS, GREAT BALLS O’FIRE!

-- DocK, WV

As Wayne and Garth would say:

“We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy.

Party on Wayne, Party on Gar…...K

-- DocK, WV

Dorje
He’s GOT to be wired different than the rest of us.

-- DocK, WV

Yeah …........still here…......still amazed. How could a “Texas Redneck” do THIS?

-- DocK, WV

You might need to break out some wave equations for that one. (Although I hear it is 90% art and 10% science)

A small pipe organ is called a portative. Maybe you could scale it to fit within a two year timeframe LOL.

We have a large pipe organ at the university here. I love to go hear it when we have visiting organists.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

Gary

Yesturday

Sgt. Peppers

Long and winding road

-- Hey ! I was born in IOWA .... don't blame me

ChicoWoodnut – You should realize by now that I couldn’t make anything as small as a portative organ.
It’s just too… small :-)

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

Dan – If you can find a piano only version of the MIDI files, I’ll do them.

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

You’re the Leonardo DaVinci of Lumberjocks, Gary. And a genuine gentleman to boot.
You kneeling at the laptop, just off to the corner of the shot reminded me of Dorothy’s visit to the Great and Powerful Oz (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain…) WTG!

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

gary,

that is something i would never have even thought of building. you already know it’s amazing and so do we. there’s nothing more to add, it’s just astonishing. i often recognize the sound of harpsichord in songs. it just kinda jumps out at you as beautiful and unique. thanks for the post and videos.

-- Greg, CT

Great job Gary, you never cease to amaze.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

Speechless! Impressive craftsmanship – Amazing – Wow!!!!

Unfortunately the Video & sound links are not working on my PC –

-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)

Gary, will you build me a space shuttle (in your spare time)? Excellent work, man.

-- Maplewood, MN

Gary, you are impressive in so many ways…..... This project just blows me away…..

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

still shaking my head in amazement!

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

As is fitting for the project:
It looks to me like this post has the most responses in the shortest amount of time of any on this list. At least as far back as I can recall.
What a deserving honor!

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

Gary built part of the Space Shuttle back in the 80’s.
But he cheated and used metal.

Thanks, Gary, for posting the completed instrument. I’ve followed progress from the first posting. And as for the video/sound clips – altogether utterly amazing! 52 comments in 15 hours eh? Well deserved!

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.

Cripes Gary, do you ever sleep? That is just Fantastic !!!
Good job, thanks for the inspiration.

You do need to build a CNC, maybe that will slow you down.

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

THAT IS AWESOME!!! I had called the mill and ordered some poplar for my next bowed keyboard experiment, and now I’m kind of wondering…why? Ah well, I guess I’ll go ahead and start it, but compared to your project mine will be like say, a moped up against a monster truck…

Again, that is an awesome job! You give the rest of us something to aspire to.

-- Jon

JonJ – That bowed keyboard is fantastic! Looking forward to your blog on your latest one.

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

I have to admit that I had to rate this page to Stumble Upon. Hope you don’t mind that I invited some net neighbors over to get a look at your harpsichord.

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

Beautiful craftsmanship Gary!

I nominate you as ”King of the Lumberjocks!”

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

You’re probably sick of sitting around reading all these comments of praise and admiration…

....well I think it stinks!!!...........................................
...................................................................NOT!!!

YOU’LL JUST HAVE TO SUFFER THROUGH ANOTHER COMMENT ON HOW AWESOME THAT IS!!
YOU HAD THAT THING ROCKIN’ !!

Keep it up, Gary.
—Alex

-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses

Stand up and take a bow Gary! You really deserve the applause!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

my daughter (the music teacher) is totally amazed – loving it – and of course wants one!

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

Gary . . . when do you get time to sleep?????

-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them

Sleep? What’s that?

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

Really nice. i`m envious how you turn out so many quality
pieces at such a rapid pace.
Skills!!
Did I read that you had a machining background?
You are truly a talented individual.

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

Very Impressive! I’ve repaired them before, and actually have been involved in building many pipe organs. If you do decide to build say a small portatif, let me know.

-- Dooley, North Palm Beach, Florida www.myspace.com/smokey4bandit20

Gary, I am in stunned amazement. I just read through all the blog entries on this, and I’m just floored at the amount of work that you put into this. You must have an unnatural amount of patience. I am glad you were able to get it completed. That has to be an amazing feeling to hear music coming out of something you built.

-- I get payed to play with power tools! What could be better than that?

Beautiful, amazing, astounding… where is my thesaurus? WOW!

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

Fantastic. I also own a harpsichord which I bought from someone who had put it together as a kit. I find it a real challenge just to get it in tune, and it is a single manual (one keyboard not two like yours)! Even if you can’t play it, I’m impressed that you not only built it, but also got it in tune. Just went to a concert last week to hear a someone play Bach’s “The Art of the Fugue” and I’m still convinced that his page turner was helping—can’t see how that can be done with only ten fingers. Good luck with your music lessons—you’re going to want to learn how to play this now!

-- SteveL

Gary, I did not read every comment above,,, But I can absolutly concur with all of them,,, this one of the most amazing projects I have ever seen built in all my 25 years of woodworking…

-- A. T. Williams Creation's

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your great comments. I’m just relieved I finally
got it done. Now I can enjoy it!

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

Gary,

The player harpsichord is abslotely phenominal!

I’ve been a big fan of the harpsichord all the way back to my rock & roll days.

I can remember when my car was broken into and my eight track player and all my tapes were stolen (somewhere around 1967). Among all the Stones, Steppenfolf tapes, etc, I had Rafael Puyana’s Baroque Masterpieces for the Harpsichord. I know damn well that tape went flying out the window of the thief’s car.

What a wonderful gift it is to be able to mix two loves with such an incredible talent.

My hat is off to you, Sir.

-- Ron, Bakersfield, CA. Measure twice, cut twice anyway.

Gary: You are an amazineg woodworker and a man of many talents. I stand in awe of what you are able to product.

But it goes to show, “If you can visualize and take your time, You can create it.” Great Job.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

you are an amazingly talented guy. Well earned.

-- Mark DeCou - Kansas Flinthill's Artisan