Flemish Single Manual Harpsichord

The members of the Ruckers family of Antwerp dominated harpsichord making north of the Alps for the first 50 years of the 17th century. They produced harpsichords and virginals in a variety of forms and sizes, but their single- and double-manual harpsichords were the most prized. By the end of the 17th century their singles, with only a 1x8’, 1x4’ disposition and a 45-note short octave keyboard, seemed hopelessly inadequate. Ruckers instruments were so highly prized that they would never be destroyed or replaced; instead, when they could no longer meet the expanding requirements of contemporary music, they were enlarged and redecorated to suit the current taste. In a process called ravalement, these little instruments were expanded by adding wood to the bentside and spine, replacing the keyboard, wrestplank, bridge, nut, and many other components. These instruments first grew by a few notes, then gradually up to 56 notes total. Often, the disposition was modified to 2x8’ to make the instrument more useful in continuo playing. The Zuckermann Flemish Single Manual can be thought of as such an instrument; thoroughly Flemish in its ancestry, but French in its expanded compass and refinement of detail. Our Ruckers model has 56 notes and can be transposed from the modern A440 to the commonly accepted Baroque pitch of A415 without the loss of its highest note. Its range of GG-d’’’ can play all of Bach, nearly all of Scarlatti, and at least 90% of the rest of the harpsichord literature. We offer the choice of a 2x8’ or 1x8’, 1x4’ disposition, along with an optional Zuckermann decorative rose.

Specifications:

Range: 56 + 1 notes, GG-d’’, transposable A415/A440

Disposition: 2x8’ or 1x8’, 1x4’, buff stop

Dimensions: approx. 82” x 29” x 10”, approx. 121 pounds

Action: Reverse keyboard with ebony naturals, bone-slipped sharps; Delrin Zuckermann jacks; antique style music wire

Casework: Premium poplar case; oak wrestplank; spruce soundboard

Instruction manual in English with photographs; full-size Mylar drawing

***PLEASE NOTE: Upon checkout, you will have the option to pay in full or place a 25% deposit on your kit. To place a deposit, use code “DEPOSIT” at checkout. Once your kit is ready to ship, we will send you a separate PayPal invoice for the remaining balance. By using this code you agree to pay the remaining balance in full.

Stage 2 - Case assembled - Poplar case assembled with oak wrestplank installed, spruce soundboard, reverse keyboard of blackwood naturals and bone-capped sharps, 2x8’ or 1x8’, 1x4’ choir of strings, Delrin jacks, lid and flap, lid stick, music desk, and turned stand of premium grade oak. Total: $6933; 25% deposit: $1733.25.

Stage 3 - Case assembled and soundboard installed - Poplar case assembled with oak wrestplank and spruce soundboard installed, reverse keyboard of blackwood naturals and bone-capped sharps, 2x8’ or 1x8’, 1x4’ choir of strings, Delrin jacks, lid and flap, lid stick, music desk, and turned stand of premium grade oak. Total: $7810; 25% deposit: $1952.50.

Stage 4 - Woodwork complete - Poplar case assembled with oak wrestplank and spruce soundboard installed, lid, bottom, flap installed, stand and music desk assembled, reverse keyboard of blackwood naturals and bone-capped sharps, 2x8’ or 1x8’, 1x4’ choir of strings, Delrin jacks, lid stick. Total: $10637; 25% deposit: $2659.25.

Options:

Ruckers-style rose: $55

Table stand (flat parts): $1850 (instead of turned stand)

Pearwood jacks: $1710 (instead of Delrin jacks)