Harpsichord Services

Instrument Maintenance and Repair

I offer home servicing and maintenance visits by appointment, where I can also attend to maintenance and minor repairs. On a typical service visit I'll deal with any specific issues you are facing. Recent visits have included easing sticking keys, replacing strings, replacing quills and revoicing, adjusting registers and tuning. I can also remove and clean your keyboards and keywell, ease any sticking keys, relevel them, as well as check and adjust key spacing and tilt. I'll track down and fix any things that are sticking, not working or noisy and replace any broken strings or plectra, check your voicing, and fix any hangers. I can give you tips on avoiding issues in future or show you how you can resolve simple issues yourself.

I can handle minor repairs in your home, major repairs are best handled in my workshop.

You can book an appointment by email, text or calling me

email: doug@harpsichords.com.au

mobile: 0405 928 662

Instrument appraisal

A harpsichord is a substantial investment and you want to be certain that what you're buying is structurally sound and there are no major issues that will prevent you from enjoying making music. A pre purchase inspection and appraisal from me will help you avoid regret and give you confidence in what you're purchasing. Some issues are minor and can be remedied with some maintenance but some issues can be fatal or very costly to repair. A pre purchase appraisal involves a detail inspection of the instrument: you'll get a written report highlighting any issues as well as my frank opinion of the value of your prospective purchase.

New Instruments

I've spent decades studying instruments and improving my craft. All my instruments are based on historical models and I draw on my extensive technical library of detailed drawings and measurements of historical instruments to create my work so that they reproduce the sound and action the original builders intended.

I use an historic instrument's key dimensions but am not so precious as to copy every detail. If I don't like my model's decoration or stand I feel licenced to change it to something better. If a maker has incorporated a feature that to my mind doesn't work or can be improved I similarly feel free to make those modifications.

The stand is an integral part of my work. The stand frames the instrument, lifts it up off the ground to give it presence and authority. A good stand invites curiosity, draws the eye and together with the instrument creates a central focus to any auditorium or room

My building programme for 2025/6 involves a series of French Double instruments, these large elaborate sonic artifacts are designed to be exuberant statements of music and art and will be uncompromising musically, mechanically and visually. My workshop page is updated regularly where you can see my progress.

I welcome enquiries from interested purchasers wanting to secure one of my custom pieces