Zuckermann Original “King of Sweden” Triple-Fretted Clavichord 1976

Built in 1976 by the professional team at the Zuckermann Stonington shop, this King of Sweden clavichord is a close copy of an anonymous late seventeenth-century German clavichord. The antique once belonged to the Swedish royal family and later to the British instrument maker Michael Thomas. Its current whereabouts are unknown.

This first-generation instrument preserves the antique’s triple-fretted keyboard layout and decorative details. Later generations of the King of Sweden used a double-fretted keyboard, were designed for lower pitches (A=415–440 Hz), and featured simpler decoration.

The clavichord is in excellent playing condition and ready for regular practice, teaching, and performance. For a player interested in early keyboard repertoire, it offers the opportunity to work with the same fretting layout as the seventeenth-century antique and explore how that layout shapes fingering and articulation.

Current specifications and condition

• Compass: 45 notes (C/E–c''')

• Pitch: A = 465 Hz

• Temperament: ¼ Comma Meantone

• Excellent playing condition

• Case: Mahogany with natural oil finish

• Naturals: Boxwood

• Sharps: Blackend Fruitwood

• Soundboard: Spruce

Dimensions

• Case height: 5” (12.7 cm)

• Case length: 40” (101.6 cm)

• Case width: 12” (30.5 cm)

Included accessories

• Tuning Hammer and Mute

Price (as currently configured)

$5,000