•rf - FoMRHI

i
SI
I
^ l ^ . - tr-
DENZIL WRAIGHT
Historical Keyboard Instruments 1 Aston Street, Oxford
The instrument for v/hich plans and a contructional manual are available is an Italiari harpsichord of cómpass
C/E-C ,,, and disposition 2x8'. This is based on a harpsichord by Giacomo Ridolfi made in 1665 now kept in
the Smithsonian Institution at "ashinpton but there are many Italirn harpsichords of similar construction
and dirensions. It is more suitable for Renaissance than later music because of it3 bold sound as well as
the C short octave.
It is intended that these plms and manual should assist the competent v/oodv/orker to produce a -ood
instrument without those difficulties that attend inexperience in harpsichord making; the difficulties of
findine a suitable instrument to use as a guide and then knowing how to make the parts satisfactorily. The
only assumptions mado about the constructor are that he is familiar with woodworking practice and has an
elenentary knowledge of the harr^ichord. The various stages of asaembly are described as well as voicing
and timing, and the manufacture of the soundboard, keyboard and action is treated in detail in order to alert
the constructor to difficulties and encov.rnge him to finish what can be a much better instrument than a kit
at lower cost and with considerably more satisfaction.
The instrument is r.ade in the inner-outer way, that is with thin case sides and mouldings on top and bottom
edjes. This r.ight h?ve been placed in a box with a lid for Storage or sir.ply sat on a table or stand. As
the case is only kff.v. thick there is no problem of forcing the bentside over a mould but it is not nosaiblc
satisi'actoril;/ to fit a lid to this instrument. It is intended to come to modem pitch or a little below
using brass wire, which I can supply in case.-, of difficulty.
The manual is prerented in a plastic folder. The plans are on either paper or plastic. The paaer prints
are slightly lar~er that the ori-inal but can stili be used as a full size template (a scale is aìso drawn)
the plastic prints are more durable and non-hygroscopic. I cannot supply any kits or manufactured p:rts.
Dimensions
Length :
Width :
Height :
Weight :
Scale :
Price :
(excluding m
1S95IPC (7^-
710mn (27.
luQmm ( 6.
(depending o
lS-20.5kg (
C" = 252nra