It appears that the upper keyboard's choir is in the 'off' position. There will be a bar, or lever in the vicinity of that keyboard which either pulls out slightly, or pushes in slightly (to engage or disengage that keyboard's choir).
As for the lower keyboard, you need to open up the top (panel lifts out to reveal the 'tuning' area of the choir strings), and there you will find the 'jacks' — one for each key, on each of the keyboards. Inspect each jack for ease of sliding up and back down, being very careful of the tiny plectra.
Break it up for firewood!! Nah, only joking! I love harpsichords, or any plucked-string keyboard instrument!! And anyway, you've already sold it. If I had the chance, I'd buy this and restore it. Can't be hard to fix. It's just mechanical problems. fixed by testing each key/jack one at a time, closely and taking heed of the professional comments on these pages. Could be multiple problems, yes. Hopefully, just plectra/jacks.
Hi everyone. Thanks for the comments and advise on this clip/harpsichord. I've sold it to someone who works with harpsichords and other historical keyboard instruments, and he will rebuild it and probably sell it.
So long as your registers are not frozen you should be looking at an easy fix for a fantastic instrument--between having a range from F and the two manuals you would be able to play just about anything.
You have a wonderful instrument there; and worth a lot of money. Double-manual harpsichords are very valuable. Write to me if you want further help or to send me a link at You Tube for a look at the type of jacks you have. mb
Or whether you just push gently on the back of the plectrum (the back is straight across; the plucking end of the plectrum is pointed).
If your instrument is a Hubbard, and it might be from what I can see in the video, the plectra are regulated by set screws. After adjusting the plectrum, set the jack back in and play the note. Plays? Great. No? Remove the repeat with plectrum.
So, remove the jack and push the plectrum out the littlest bit. The tip of a small blade-type screw driver, tip of tweezers, etc. are good choices of a "tool." I don't know what kind of jacks you have (you can e-mail me with a link to another video so I can see what kind mailboxmbnew at yahoo), so I don't know whether the plectra are regulated by screwing a little screw on the top of the jack ("set screw") up and down.
The strings that are not sounding are doing so because the plectra are not sticking out far enough to pluck the string as the jack rises when you press the key. Some of the notes sound because their plectra ARE sticking out far enough.
I'll have to divide my answer into several pieces bcs of word limit.
--
Your problem is one of "regulation." The little things sticking out that pluck the strings (called "plectra") are misadjusted. They are not sticking out far enough to activate strings. Take out one of the things that go up and down when you strike the key (they are called "jacks"). The plectra pass thru the top of the jacks. Do you see them?
what tha fuck is that!... who the fuck let ta¡hat harpsichord get so fucked up?.. damn!!!, I´ll love to have one myself but well kept!... don´t come and tell me that´s not ignorance letting such a beautie get so wrecked!
If you're still interested - I'm thinking about selling. I'll be moving to a much smaller apartment soon and won't have the space for a harpsichord in need of repair.
It sounds like the registers may be frozen or not fully functional--under such circumstances the tips of but a few plectra may still contact the strings. Be sure that the soundboard is not being drawn into the gap. If it is then you need to remove string tension immediately and consult a professional. The soundboard may need to be shaved or reglued altogether. This is of the worst damage and should be ruled out or confirmed immediately as it is the unique sort that gets worse if left alone.
Unless there is structural damage or collapsed soundboard, as you give no images of the harpsichord itself I can't be positive about that) it is a matter of action repair/adjustment. It rattles like if the key felts are dead, as if killed by muscle (pianist?) playing, and most plectra might be broken or the registers wildly out of adjustment. Might also be the tongues seized, tongue strings broken, or jacks seized.
I confirm Broekman is a good place (Hubbard & Broekmans, near Boston MA).
It does indeed look like a cherrywood Eric Herz double, to judge from the wide keyend blocks, lowered nameboard and solid music desk. Difficult to judge from the vid, but the keys look very mouldy so perhaps it has been subject to high humidity? Yes, the registers probably need adjusting, but I suspect the soundboard has also dropped. Contact Hendrik Broekman at Hubbard Harpsichords—they inherited the service knowhow and parts from the late Eric Herz, and are close to you: +1 508 877 1735.
Neither does your grammar.
martremcheerful 2 months ago
It appears that the upper keyboard's choir is in the 'off' position. There will be a bar, or lever in the vicinity of that keyboard which either pulls out slightly, or pushes in slightly (to engage or disengage that keyboard's choir).
Richie333333333 4 months ago
As for the lower keyboard, you need to open up the top (panel lifts out to reveal the 'tuning' area of the choir strings), and there you will find the 'jacks' — one for each key, on each of the keyboards. Inspect each jack for ease of sliding up and back down, being very careful of the tiny plectra.
Richie333333333 4 months ago
that makes me sad :(
templeH81 1 year ago
Break it up for firewood!! Nah, only joking! I love harpsichords, or any plucked-string keyboard instrument!! And anyway, you've already sold it. If I had the chance, I'd buy this and restore it. Can't be hard to fix. It's just mechanical problems. fixed by testing each key/jack one at a time, closely and taking heed of the professional comments on these pages. Could be multiple problems, yes. Hopefully, just plectra/jacks.
josh9point0 1 year ago
It DOESN'T ;)
Phacias 1 year ago
Hi everyone. Thanks for the comments and advise on this clip/harpsichord. I've sold it to someone who works with harpsichords and other historical keyboard instruments, and he will rebuild it and probably sell it.
dapcro 2 years ago
The plectra must be broken bro
tunglour 2 years ago
This is why good harpsichord makers should never sell instruments to institutions.
lancemmyers 2 years ago
the notes that work are so out of tune is just as well some are broken!
wks1978 2 years ago
Why don't you give it to me as a present?
Polluxgeminae 2 years ago
did he check his jacks
steven20600 2 years ago 3
Its a shame such a nice instrument is in such wretched shape. It needs to be sold to someone who will restore it.
fnersch 2 years ago 2
sell it and use the money to restore you mental health
all the best
alilapointe1 2 years ago
Beautiful performance.
hashirimedes 2 years ago 12
That is really funny.
Divinemetal 2 years ago
stop fooling around. there should be something on the side of the instrument to adjust the string plucks. any novice harpsichordist would know this.
hl2alyx 3 years ago
I feel so sorry for you |:
You have a harpsichord and it just doesnt seem to work heh?
But still, why to show off if it doesnt work?:P
Endogenisis999 3 years ago
Jjajajajajajajajajajajja
nicooliva 3 years ago
Stupid!!
mrharpsi 3 years ago
So long as your registers are not frozen you should be looking at an easy fix for a fantastic instrument--between having a range from F and the two manuals you would be able to play just about anything.
vladistov 3 years ago
hahahahahha he's mad
jimihendrix1967 3 years ago
You have a wonderful instrument there; and worth a lot of money. Double-manual harpsichords are very valuable. Write to me if you want further help or to send me a link at You Tube for a look at the type of jacks you have. mb
marbeth13 3 years ago
Or whether you just push gently on the back of the plectrum (the back is straight across; the plucking end of the plectrum is pointed).
If your instrument is a Hubbard, and it might be from what I can see in the video, the plectra are regulated by set screws. After adjusting the plectrum, set the jack back in and play the note. Plays? Great. No? Remove the repeat with plectrum.
marbeth13 3 years ago
So, remove the jack and push the plectrum out the littlest bit. The tip of a small blade-type screw driver, tip of tweezers, etc. are good choices of a "tool." I don't know what kind of jacks you have (you can e-mail me with a link to another video so I can see what kind mailboxmbnew at yahoo), so I don't know whether the plectra are regulated by screwing a little screw on the top of the jack ("set screw") up and down.
marbeth13 3 years ago
The strings that are not sounding are doing so because the plectra are not sticking out far enough to pluck the string as the jack rises when you press the key. Some of the notes sound because their plectra ARE sticking out far enough.
marbeth13 3 years ago
I'll have to divide my answer into several pieces bcs of word limit.
--
Your problem is one of "regulation." The little things sticking out that pluck the strings (called "plectra") are misadjusted. They are not sticking out far enough to activate strings. Take out one of the things that go up and down when you strike the key (they are called "jacks"). The plectra pass thru the top of the jacks. Do you see them?
marbeth13 3 years ago
ouch.
nyappyapple2 3 years ago
Now time to start playing Harpsichord Hero!
But yes, my sympathy goes out to you.
LunaticBob99 3 years ago
poor guy
FanOfFender095 3 years ago
that's to bad....
MillyProductions 3 years ago
what tha fuck is that!... who the fuck let ta¡hat harpsichord get so fucked up?.. damn!!!, I´ll love to have one myself but well kept!... don´t come and tell me that´s not ignorance letting such a beautie get so wrecked!
aurychat 3 years ago
for god's sake...wtf!? get it fixed or sell it.
mercoid 3 years ago
FAIL!!!!!!!
jkwanjr 3 years ago
If you want to sell it, I'm interested!
lnrd58hstn 3 years ago
If you're still interested - I'm thinking about selling. I'll be moving to a much smaller apartment soon and won't have the space for a harpsichord in need of repair.
dapcro 3 years ago
mandalo al service
piriapolis2008 3 years ago
It sounds like the registers may be frozen or not fully functional--under such circumstances the tips of but a few plectra may still contact the strings. Be sure that the soundboard is not being drawn into the gap. If it is then you need to remove string tension immediately and consult a professional. The soundboard may need to be shaved or reglued altogether. This is of the worst damage and should be ruled out or confirmed immediately as it is the unique sort that gets worse if left alone.
dolofonos 3 years ago
Unless there is structural damage or collapsed soundboard, as you give no images of the harpsichord itself I can't be positive about that) it is a matter of action repair/adjustment. It rattles like if the key felts are dead, as if killed by muscle (pianist?) playing, and most plectra might be broken or the registers wildly out of adjustment. Might also be the tongues seized, tongue strings broken, or jacks seized.
I confirm Broekman is a good place (Hubbard & Broekmans, near Boston MA).
singer1924 3 years ago
It does indeed look like a cherrywood Eric Herz double, to judge from the wide keyend blocks, lowered nameboard and solid music desk. Difficult to judge from the vid, but the keys look very mouldy so perhaps it has been subject to high humidity? Yes, the registers probably need adjusting, but I suspect the soundboard has also dropped. Contact Hendrik Broekman at Hubbard Harpsichords—they inherited the service knowhow and parts from the late Eric Herz, and are close to you: +1 508 877 1735.
hpschdnu 4 years ago
it seems like the registers need to be adjusted. What city are you in-and who is the builder of the instrument?
gfc234 4 years ago
boston. i'm not sure who built this instrument.. maybe eric hertz? do you know of a harpsichord repairman in boston by chance?
dapcro 4 years ago