Harpsichords Blog

Restoration of 1962 John Barnes harpsichord after Kirchmann.

August 14, 2017

Having sold all my harpsichords except one, it is high time that i replaced the steel strings with Malcolm Rose's lovely iron wire, and while I am about it, I'll replace action felt with traditional woven cloth. Most enjoyable!

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

John Storrs Harpsichord and Clavichord.

July 17, 2017

Bought from a storage unit in Bognor Regis; two unmade sets of parts for a harpsichord and a clavichord have been made, sold and delivered. Here is a photo of the harpsichord before the lid papers went on:

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

Reconditioning 1995 Goble Double after Zell. Dec 2016

December 19, 2016

Lift in storage for two years, this harpsichord had suffered from damp. All the iron strings were rusted through!
The Harpsichord is now re-strung with Malcolm Rose's lovely wire, and ready to return to work.

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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

Delin Spinet Commission

November 15, 2016

Back in the workshop after three weeks at sea on the Bay of Biscay, and time to finish a Paris Workshop spinet kit for a loyal customer. A great short cut to making good instruments, these kits are well made and sensibly designed.

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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

English Harpsichord after Barton, Made, Sold, Delivered.

March 29, 2016

The project this year was to reduce the repair work I am doing and make new instruments. Here is the result, including a lovely soundboard painting by Jennifer Douglas.

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : New build

Paris Workshop Double finished.

March 27, 2016

Here is a picture of the French Double which I have completed for a customer in France. It will be leaving here soon, which is a pity, since it sounds lovely!

Gold leaf, Little Greene paint, and a lot of work!
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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : working on...

Hiring in Warwick

March 17, 2016

The lift was too small for the big red harpsichord, so I have worked round the clock for the last two days to make the English harpsichord play. And here we are! Chris Monks is even improvising a buff stop by laying some damper felt over the strings.

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Hirings

Going to Moscow...

March 4, 2016

This harpsichord left today in a truck the size of my workshop!

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Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Second-hand

Coston soundboard painting

February 20, 2016

The New English Harpsichord soundboard is coming on...

Posted by Peter Barnes. Posted In : Soundboard painting

Zuckermann Concert V for renovation.

February 15, 2016

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.