Large Double manual harpsichord after JD Dulcken 1745, Douglas Brooke 2026

This imposing instrument is offered for sale from my studio and has an interesting back story. It came to my studio as an unfinished box. The maker had been in touch with the Smithsonian, the custodian of the original, and had accurately copied - as far as he had made progress - the original case. I have completed the instrument by making the jacks, registers and stop levers, pinning the bridges and nuts, stringing and voicing the instrument, making the keyboards, lid, music desk and stand and completing the decoration. It is in all aspects a new instrument and I think this gives me the authority to sign the work in my name.

5 Octaves, FF-fff. Transposing A415-A440. Four ranks of wooden jacks - beech with holly tongues and PEEK bristles. Disposed 8+4 on the lower manual, 8+Lute on the upper manual, with buff stop to the lower 8'. The manuals are coupled by a shove coupler (unlike the original) and the registers are operated by stop levers through levers on the nameboard. The keyboards have ebony naturals and bone topped sharps with caesin tortoise shell moulded keyfronts. The exterior is painted forest green with gold bands and the interior accurately replicates the original. The lid is attached with attractive brass hinges. The whole instrument sits on an elaborate gold leaf Louis XVI style with seven turned and fluted legs.

This is in all respects a unique instrument and is offered for sale at $39,000

hear this instrument here

Zuckermann Italian Virginal II (circa 1975)

This compact instrument has a compass GG/BB-e''', is tastefully decorated in dark green marbling and sits on an Iberian inspired stand. Priced at $3750

1976 Zuckerman Flemish V

This meticulously made kit instrument is in great shape and has been recently serviced by me. Disposed 8+4 plus buff with a compass of GG/BB-d''' and pitched A415Hz it sits on a turned stand and is tastefully and professionally decorated. Located in Melbourne and offered for sale at $6,000. Contact me for further details.

Zuckermann Flemish single V, 1976

SOLD: Single manual after Ruckers, Douglas Brooke, 2006

Currently on the bench and nearing the end of a refurbishment is my 2006 Flemish single after Ruckers. Disposed 8'+4' with buff the instrument has a compass of GG,AA to c''' and is transposable A415 to A440Hz. An all Australian instrument the case is Queensland hoop pine and the soundboard is Tasmanian celery top pine. The remaining work is to close off the keywell, touch up exterior paintwork and complete revoicing and keyboard regulation. The tone is bold and reedy in the tenor and the treble has a wonderful bell like brightness. Once completed the instrument will sit on a simple mahogony trestle stand and be sold with a music desk. Available from my studio and priced at $11,000

SOLD : Double fretted Clavichord by KMB, 1980

"KMB" as far as I can ascertain was a secondary school maths teacher in Adelaide who built this under instruction from well known South Australian harpsichord maker Richard Schaumloffel. This instrument is double fretted (adjacent keys share the same string), double strung (each key has two string) and has a compass C-f'''. The case is in Japanese Oak, the keyboard has boxwood naturals and rosewood slipped sharp tops and the instrument has a panelled lid. The instrument is brass strung throughout and the bass strings are not overwound. Recently reburbished, it's offered for sale without a stand for $7,500

This concert quality 1999 French Double after Henri Hemsch sits on a Louis XVI style table stand gilded in 23K gold. Disposed 2x8'+4 with buff, it's FF-g''' compass is transposable A415/A440 Hz. Wooden jacks are quilled in delrin. The instrument's manuals couple with a shove coupler on the upper manual. The outer case, propstick and lid is lacquered with mother of pearl inlay bands bordered with 23K gold leaf. The keyboards are ebony and bone.

The instrument is well travelled and does show some minor scuffs to the paintwork and the lacquer has cracked in parts, giving the instrument an antique patina.

The action is recently overhauled and has been revoiced throughout. The tone is majestically French with a booming bass and a shimmering haze of sound across the compass.

Offered for sale at $32,000