Showing category "Second-hand" (Show all posts)

Flemish Single renovation

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, In : Second-hand 

This tired old Zuckermann is having a facelift, new strings, new plectra and a transposing keyboard. I'm fitting this work round other commitments, but here is the repainted case with new printed papers.
Happy days!

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1927 Dolmetsch Spinet meets a 1956 sibling!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, January 28, 2022, In : Second-hand 
Two Octave spinets in the workshop at the same time. an interesting comparison!


Some differences in details, such as the mouldings on the case and the case height, but otherwise exactly the same layout. This spinet was in production for about 50 years!
The sound of both instruments is very similar although we have voiced the later one a little louder.
What fun we have here in Somerset..
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1928 Dolmetsch Octave Spinet now strung.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, In : Second-hand 
Dan Flew, who is working here one day per week, has now completed the restringing of this instrument, refitted all the jacks, and is now voicing the spinet with authentic leather plectra.
This is a job for a very patient person!
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Delin Double with the bottom removed.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, In : Second-hand 
Flemish Harpsichord makers often made their instruments so the bottom could be removed by drilling out the wooden dowels which held it in place. This enables internal repairs to be undertaken and aids soundboard repairs. My late father designed his Delin harpsichord so this could be done and there was a little movement between the bentside and the bottom of his instrument so I decided to have a look inside. Plenty of internal photos are on my homepage. 
When replacing the bottom, I put in more...
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Delin Harpsichord by John Barnes 1991

Posted by Peter Barnes on Sunday, January 9, 2022, In : Second-hand 
I have just started renovating this lovely instrument. It will be restrung in Rose iron and brass, and have new Delrin plectra.
A delight to work on!



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Dolmetsch Ottavino Spinet 1928

Posted by Peter Barnes on Sunday, January 9, 2022, In : Second-hand 
Nearly an antique, this Arts and Crafts instrument is rare and interesting, and will shortly be available in full playing condition. Check out www.peterbarnesharpsichords.com for details.


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Several used and new Instruments available on my website.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Thursday, January 6, 2022, In : Second-hand 
I have discovered that many people read my blogs and contact me about instruments that I have already sold. Please check out www.peterbarnesharpsichords.com in order to see what I have currently available. I keep my website up to date at least twice a month! Greetings for 2022.
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thesaleroom.com

Posted by Peter Barnes on Thursday, March 25, 2021, In : Second-hand 
Went to a virtual auction held in Newcastle yesterday. Between the pots and pans there were several harpsichords by good makers. Once you add the 'Buyer's Premium', a double went for over £10,000 and two singles reached over £3,000 each.

It struck me that Thesaleroom.com has done for auctions what Rightmove has done for house sales. You can buy from anywhere, but it is still important to go and see what you are buying! 

The seller of an item sold at auction receives a bit over half of the pri...
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Fresh in Glasgow.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Saturday, November 21, 2020, In : Second-hand 
Lovely Zuckermann Flemish Harpsichord in great playing condition with a lovely soundboard painting by my mum. This harpsichord was one of many built expertly by Morton Gould, a Secondary School Music Teacher who put his heart into making harpsichords. He was a lovely family friend in the 1970's and 80's. These Zuckermanns have a fantastic sound!
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Baldwin Electric Harpsichord c.1969

Posted by Peter Barnes on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, In : Second-hand 
A rare opportunity to own a sixties classic. The instrument has been preserved in its original state, including the perspex top and music desk, formica red soundboard and original plastic harpsichord jacks. The legs are original but have had blocks cut into where the bolts meet the aluminium case. This was done to make them more stable. This harpsichord is easy to tune and maintain. This particular instrument has been used by Abbey Road Studio for The Beach Boys album with The Royal Philharmo...
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Second Lockdown Skype Viewings

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, November 2, 2020, In : Second-hand 
Book a virtual visit to see my instruments in a Covid safe way.
This is a harpsichord that my father built in 1962. It is one of a number of instruments which are available for sale.
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Deliveries and Collection.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, October 16, 2020, In : Second-hand 
In the time honoured manner, I am meeting a customer at South Mimms Service Station in order to transfer a Cembalino harpsichord to his car. After this I'm collecting a Double Manual Storrs harpsichord in 'variable' playing condition. (The cars pictured are from stock images.)
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Chembalino in flight case

Posted by Peter Barnes on Saturday, October 10, 2020, In : Second-hand 
The flying about may be over for the time being, but this instrument is ready to collect! Yours for £1,200
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Wow!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, In : Second-hand 

Goble Hass copy made in 1998. A stunning instrument!
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Click and Collect Harpsichord Hire!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Saturday, April 18, 2020, In : Second-hand 
I have just finished renovating a small Zuckermann Italian Harpsichord and it is now available for sale at £1,200, or for hire on a short or long term basis. You can even collect and return it yourself in order to keep the cost down.

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Hass Clavichord to finish.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, March 13, 2020, In : Second-hand 
Hello to the 500 plus website visitors who visit this sight each month. Apparently this is your favourite page, so I had better start adding to it!

I have just receved this lovely Hass clavichord and am rather too busy to finish it myself, so it is offered for sale with a full size plan for £1,250. A great project, but not for someone who would want to rush it.
It was great fun pealing away the protective layer of 1978 newspaper and discovering just how well it was made (by a professional maker).
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Welcome Clavichord!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, July 26, 2019, In : Second-hand 
This one is like an old friend come back to visit! My dad designed it, closely following a Double Fretted clavichord in Den Hague, Holland. Made by Anthony Calvert, who I know well, and brought to me by another friend in Cambridge....
I have replaced a string and tuned it. It sounds so full and resonant for such a portable instrument. Now I have an instrument to take on sailing holidays! (until it sells for £1,3500).
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Going to Moscow...

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, March 4, 2016, In : Second-hand 
This harpsichord left today in a truck the size of my workshop!

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Zuckermann Concert V for renovation.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, February 15, 2016, In : Second-hand 
This harpsichord has arrived in a crate and I am offering it for total renovation as seen for £995. The keyboard looks good, all the jacks are in place, the registers move in the gap, but there is plenty to do, including repairs to the treble end of the hitch pin rail.
 


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Red Harpsichord sold to Red Priest Harpsichordist....

Posted by Peter Barnes on Friday, November 20, 2015, In : Second-hand 
David gave me a ring this morning to ask 'Have I got some legs, because my friend is looking for some?', resisting the temptation to point out that she may find mine a little short, we organised a visit and he has just left with two sets of legs, a stool, and a red harpsichord!
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Dennis Wooley, Italian 1974.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Thursday, April 10, 2014, In : Second-hand 
I'm delighted that this harpsichord (now available at the 'Number 1 Harpsichord Agency' ) has got the correct string lengths for brass.  I'm currently working on a customer's Baffo copy and love the sound that these brass strings make!
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Harpsichord sold to another harpsichord maker.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, April 7, 2014, In : Second-hand 
Colin Booth has just bought this Zuckermann Flemish Double-Manual harpsichord from me. He will make a lovely job of the repair, re-painting and servicing work. Do take a look at his own scratch-built instruments and extensive fleet of harpsichords, spinets, virginals and clavichords for hire. If I haven't got the instrument you want then, Colin Booth probably has!
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Happy in my new home.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, April 1, 2014, In : Second-hand 
The Leigh Flanders Harpsichord has gone to Cheltenham. Here is a photo that my customer sent me:
 It's great to have feedback when you sell a harpsichord to someone. Thank you!

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Greenwich Early Music Festival.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, October 28, 2013, In : Second-hand 
Meet me on the Keyboard Instrument stand in the Painted Hall, Greenwich  Royal Navel College between 10.00 and 17.30 from Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th November 2013. More details on www.earlymusicfestival.com  This year we have some antique instruments at newly reduced prices, a large range of Bizzi harpsichords and some good value used instruments. This is possibly the largest number of keyboard instruments for sale in one place in the world (and I have to tune more than half of them!)...
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Spinet going to The Lowry, Manchester.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, October 7, 2013, In : Second-hand 

 Here I go the be part of a special exhibition in The Lowry Gallery, Manchester. I'm still for sale, but can't be delivered until March 2014. Made in Paris in 1913 - just before Dolmetsch came to England.
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I'm off to Hong Kong!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, October 7, 2013, In : Second-hand 
 Sold, and just about to be shipped.to the Far East. I look forward to being loved and played in China.

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October Sale - two instruments sold today.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, October 1, 2013, In : Second-hand 
Still some left for you!
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October 2013 Harpsichord Sale

Posted by Peter Barnes on Thursday, September 26, 2013, In : Second-hand 
Finally, back from the boat show, and there's a sale on at Peter Barnes Harpsichords. Plenty for everyone, including six second-hand (or is it pre-loved?) Zuckermanns and a 100 year old Arnold Dolmetsch Spinet. 
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Single Strung, refurbished harpsichord for £1,395 ?!

Posted by Peter Barnes on Monday, August 12, 2013, In : Second-hand 
I have just voiced this little Zuckermann with one set of new strings, replacement tongues, plectra and dampers. A great little instrument, quite similar to the small Bizzi Italians - but less than half the price. 
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Green Five-octave Zuckermann is finished.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Saturday, August 3, 2013, In : Second-hand 
Ready to go. 'the first to see will buy'. This large Flemish harpsichord looks good, sounds good and is great value for money.
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Single strung refurbished Italian harpsichords

Posted by Peter Barnes on Thursday, March 7, 2013, In : Second-hand 
Time for a new idea - the student harpsichord at a real student price: Makers, from Bizzi to Booth often offer a single 8' strung harpsichord as a starter instrument. Their prices start at about £3,500
 I am planning to refurbish two Zuckermann Italian harpsichords with one register, one set of replacement strings, refurbished jacks and new dampers and plectra. By choosing to set them up with only one register I can string them slightly more heavily than would be safe with two registers and s...
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18th Century English spinet

Posted by Peter Barnes on Tuesday, February 21, 2012, In : Second-hand 
Very exciting. I'm waiting for my newly ordered endoscope to arrive so that I can look inside this antique spinet. Pictures to follow soon!
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Like the first harpsichord I ever made.

Posted by Peter Barnes on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, In : Second-hand 
I've just bought an Italian harpsichord which has been superbly made from a Zuckermann kit in about 1976. I made my first harpsichord from the same type of kit in 1973 and have a soft spot for these little instruments. The kits were made by Wallis Zuckermann when he retired to Devon and needed something to do. 
  It is said that one summer in a garden shed will finish off any harpsichord. It is particularly true of these instruments because they were made from ply wood in order to keep down co...
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About Me


Harpsichord Maker, restorer, repairer and vendor.