Welcome
Welcome to Robert Duffy Harpsichords and Clavichords! I specialize in building and crafting custom harpsichords and clavichords made of solid hardwoods. No project is too complex as I pride myself in crafting the very highest quality instrument for you, my customer. I also provide restoration and repair services as well as tuning services for your harpsichord, clavichord, or cittern.
Please peruse the site and view the instruments. i also provide tuning and repair for harpsichords and clavichords. Contact me on my online form or call me and setup a time to discuss building the perfect instrument for that will exceed your expectations! You will not be disappointed!
The Instruments
All instruments are made of solid hardwoods, including their lids and bottoms. Soundboards are clear straight grained quartered spruce, though cypress and even maple are possible for Italian soundboards. Keyboards have a six and a quarter octave inch span and arcaded fronts. All keyboards are made entirely in my shop. I also offer heavy canvas covers to protect your instrument during moving.
Harpsichords & Clavichords
Harpsichords are short-scaled, brass-strung instruments usually having thin case sides (except for false inner-outer types) of cypress, cherry or maple. They have an articulate attack that pops rather than swells from the soundboard.
Clavichords are small, light instruments with a much simpler mechanical action and make an ideal practice instrument due to their quiet sound.
Citterns
Citterns usually have chromatically fretted fingerboards, allowing either French or Italian tuning, but diatonic fretting is also available.
They come with a carved figurehead and a decorative rose as standard as well as a choice of figured woods for the back and sides.
