CBH Replacing a leather plectrum

• Always read the accompanying technical description!

More harpsichord stuff @ http://www.hpschd.nu

Carey Beebe demonstrating replacement of a leather plectrum.

WARNING: Do not attempt this at home!

The end of the leather strip is tapered with a sharp chisel. Supporting the tongue, the leather is fed through the mortice and pushed in firmly. The excess is trimmed off a little proud which may allow for the plectrum to be rolled through some more before the final flush cut. The wedge profile is then established with the chisel. The surplus is trimmed flush with the tongue and discarded. A hardwood voicing block is used to support the plectrum for a cut to ensure its end is square. Any fur can be removed and the operation of the tongue checked.

The jack is then able to be returned to the instrument so the plectrum can be "voiced" to match its neighbours. (The damper has been removed for the entire plectrum replacement operation.)

Harpsichord by William Dowd, Boston 1966, ex Ralph Kirkpatrick.

Category:

Howto & Style

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• clavecin
• cembalo
• clavicembalo
• clave
• cravo
• Клавесин
• 羽管鍵琴
• ハープシコード
• チェンバロ
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• jack
• leather
• plectra
• plectrum
• quill
• voicing
• DIY
• hpschdnu

[MarkMichaels09]

Who do you know around NY/LI who can do this?

[hpschdnu]

There are one or two harpsichord people in NYC: I've sent you a private reply.

[singer1924]

oui, je ne vois pas ou est la boite a pansements :-)

[Trabantino]

Oh dear,I have 63 notes and 4 registers...all leather plectra. I'll never finish!

[acdc126]

haaaa ces artisans quel ingéniosité et la dextérité c'est vraiment beau à voir travailler.

[sina4]

Must be fun to do 61 or so of these and get them to sound all alike!

[mercoid]

That chisel business makes me cringe. Thanks for the interesting demonstration.