Customer Reviews

The Harpsichord Owner's Guide: A Manual for Buyers and Owners

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book as a first-time owner of a partially-built harpsichord which I hope to complete. As such, my experience with and knowledge of harpsichords was limited to practically zero, although I was musically trained and played several instruments in the past. With that in mind, I proceed...

Mr. Kottick seems to know his subject thoroughly, although he's VERY opinionated about certain construction techniques and disdainful of those who experiment with their own ideas. Perhaps this is deservedly the case, perhaps not. At times, he assumes the reader has virtually no knowledge,but the book lacks a glossary, which is sorely needed. This shortcoming makes it difficult for a beginning builder or owner to understand the meanings of terms as yet unknown. More photos of harpsichord parts would be useful. Even so, the book is a necessity in the library of any harpsichord enthusiast.

I used this book as the main source of advice (along with the help of a professional) when I rebuilt a partially completed harpsichord. I was able to succesfully perform repairs, restring, install new set of jacks, regulate, adjust stagger, and voice a Flemish single. Every time I ran into a problem I was able to find it addressed in the book in very clear terms. I would recommend this book to any harpsichord owner who does his or her own repairs and regulation.

I've bought a few books over the past few weeks on the subject but each of the other books only touched briefly on how a harpsichord works. This book has it all. There were ample illustrations and an excellent description of each part and what it does. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the working of a harpsichord or considering building/purchasing one.

Many years ago a brother and I built a harpsichord from a kit. If we would have had this book, it sure would have made it easier. It is clear and concise, packed with information any harpsichord owner or someone contemplating a harpsichord purchase should have.

Let's assume you have just spent X dollars on a harpsichord. Make it X + 25 and get this book. It's as important as the stand (did you remember to get a stand or legs? Those are handy too). Now let's consider another situation. You are thinking of getting one. Same thing. This book will give you a very sound historical perspective, set you on your feet and help you make a wise purchase. How about the hard-core crowd? I'll bet even you will find countless invaluable data, ranging from the average key-dip (~0.3125" in the treble, your instrument is probably set up with too cavernous a key-dip, nothing a little felt won't fix), to tips like remembering to check that the cloth strips on the end of the key levers aren't rubbing against neighbors, to tuning by ear and the way to make many minor repairs. There are sketches, photos, diagrams, and this is exactly what the title says, a practical manual for owners and pre-owners. Kottick has a lot of experience, having built many instruments, and he doesn't waste time on idle speculation; everything is practical, and oriented to making the instrument work for you. His advice on cleaning up a coffee spill on the soundboard is typical: don't stop to think, rip out the strings over the area with your bare hands and start blotting up and down with a paper towel. This is at the same time a work of encyclopedic breadth, the summary of a lifetime of infectious fascination.

If you are the type who is looking for the one book to get, this is it, and there is even hope you will find this one so enjoyable that you will buy a few more. Nurmi's Plain And Easy Introduction to The Harpsichord is, by the way, likely (still) the ideal follow-up volume, with emphasis of how to make the best use of the instrument, including simple exercises and annotated classical pieces to play, unabridged, as well as a lady's approach to maintenance.

The harpsichord differs from the piano in that it is a simple mechanism, its wooden body and resonance suggests a guitar, it's "organic" in a nice way. Last week I spent several days away from my harpsichords, and I never expected to be so lonely and dissatisfied with even the finest pianos. The harpsichord owner is expected to perform day to day maintenance -- it's nothing complicated, and this is how you show your beloved instrument(s) you care. There is no more fundamental and more useful book on the market than Kottick's to make this intimate relationship all that it should be.

While pianos are very standardized, no two harpsichords are the same. It is worth mentioning that Kottick is biased towards fine thin-cased instruments built according to historical designs. This is the 5K and up market. But even the old Zuckermann kits vary enormously, from imploding plywood wrecks to vastly underrated instruments that can be purchased very inexpensively. This is the under 2K market. To navigate these waters requires some expertise. The initial appearance of the case is not the important factor, unless the objective is to quickly deposit a pretty piece of furniture in the living room. The buyer who thoroughly studies Kottick's book beforehand will know what matters, and can be rewarded with either a superb instrument that can later be traded up without loss, or a (very) decent harpsichord at a bargain price in exchange for a little elbow grease, some extra parts, and attention. Only a person with no interest in the harpsichord should pass this volume by.

When a friend gave me her 30-year-old, non-working, kit-made harpsichord, I hired a technician to get it working and bought this book. The technician then turned "the project" over to me, assuring me as confidently as the author does, that when the instrument's works went awry, I could handle the repairs. I'm a totally unhandy person except when at the keyboard or in the kitchen. Nevertheless, thanks to Kottick's clear, complete, step-by-step help, I have replaced strings, shaped and replaced plectra, and regulated jacks. The instrument is now in better shape than when the technician left, and the book has prepared me for its further improvement. My husband, who is handy, was a bit put off by Kottick's detail, feeling he wrote to a reader who knew nothing about how things work. Point taken, but that reader is me, and I appreciate having this author by my side as I approach the day when I'll spend more time playing my harpsichord than working on it.

I purchased a harpsichord in pretty poor shape. This book has walked me through the essential steps in restoring the instrument very well. I've repaired the jacks and more. Thank you.