Musical versatility and sheer beauty of tone have made 18th century French style harpsichords the standard in the modern world of early music. We have chosen three particularly fine representative examples for our prototypes:
- Nicolas Dumont, 1707
- François Blanchet, 1733
- Andreas Ruckers, 1646, enlarged by Blanchet, 1756, and reworked by Pascal Taskin, 1780, (“Ruckers-Taskin”)
The cases are painted one or two colors and decorated with traditional gold bands and moldings. The soundboards are painted in an appropriate style. The instruments rest on a trestle stand with turned legs, either in hardwood or painted to match the case. Table stands with trumpet-turned legs and a floor level frame (Dumont), cabriole legs (Blanchet and Ruckers-Taskin) or turned and fluted legs (Ruckers-Taskin) are available as options. Also optional are other painted or gilded decoration. The keyboards have ebony naturals and bone-topped accidentals and closely follow the dimensions and balance of the originals.
Disposition for all models: Lower manual 1×8′ and 1×4′. Upper manual 1×8′, buff, and shove coupler
Dumont
The 1707 Dumont is the earliest five octave Parisian harpsichord. It’s clear and articulate voice is especially well suited for the contemporary works of Rameau, François Couperin, Elizabeth Jacquet de la Guerre and others. We restored the original Dumont in 2011-2012.
Range: FF-e3 or FF-f3, transposing keyboard (a1=415 and 440, or a1=392 and 415 transposition). Instruments at the lower pitch can be built as triple transposers (a1=392, 415, or 440) with the original compass of FF-e3.
Dimensions: 7’9-1/2″ x 3’1″ (237 x 94 cm)
Blanchet
The 1733 François Blanchet is the completion of an unfinished instrument, most likely by left by another maker. François Blanchet adapted the case and string band to his own standards and made new keyboards. It represents the apogee of early 18th century Parisian harpsichord design.
Range: FF-f3, transposing keyboard (a1=415 and 440; 392 optional)
Dimensions: 7’9″ x 38″ (236 x 96 cm)
Ruckers-Taskin
The Ruckers-Taskin is a particularly fine example of a Flemish harpsichord mis en grand ravallement in 18th century Paris. Available with a fourth register in peau de buffle. Over the years this has been our most popular model.
Range: FF-f3 transposing keyboard (a1=415 and 440)
Dimensions: 7’6″ x 3′ (226 x 93 cm)
