Piano Pedals on a Harpsichord

[adamworth]

Hi all,

I am purchasing a used dual manual harpsichord which is in excellent shape, except for a a few broken strings since it has not been played in about 2 years. The action on the keys is good and from what I can tell 2 or 3 jacks will probably need to be replaced. Stringing and replacing jacks is not big deal and considering the price I am paying, I can not pass it up. I have not seen the harpsichord myself, but I've seen videos of it being played as well as lots of pictures. The question that I have is that the harpsichord has four (4) pedals that look just like the pedals on a piano. I have not asked the seller, but I am curious if anyone know's what these pedals may be used for. I've spent a lot of time researching, but cannot find anything. I cannot find anything on the maker of the harpsichord as well.

Thanks!

[Dorsetmike]

A quick Google turned up this page


http://www.hpschd.nu/index.html?nav/...rstgo-mod.html

Which shoud be af some help.

[Soubasse]

For some wierd reason Mike's link is not loading for me, but my first suspicion is that the pedals would be for changing string sets. Four pedals could accomodate all sorts of options such as 16' 8' or 4' sets, a harp stop (or lute as I have heard it called sometimes) , or even a coupler since it's double-manual. I used to play a Goble double manual which had about half a dozen pedals for selecting several sets of strings and the coupler.

[Dorsetmike]

Strange that Matt, it's an Australian site, Carey Beebe harpsichords, Sydney, working OK for me. As you say the pedals select options, the one linked to has 7 pedals on a two manual.

[GoneBaroque]

I had no trouble with the link. Fascinating site.

Rob

[Soubasse]

Aha, it's there today (seems the school had a network issues yesterday). And yep, Carey Beebe/Goble, know them well. That pic of the pedals looks practically identical to the one I used to play. Glad they're still going, I would be interested to try one again. They were a little bit hit-and-miss "back in my day" (!).

The nicest harpsi I ever played back then was handmade by a chap named William Bright, positively gorgeous instrument. But even that could well be put in the shade by any of the European builders. I've always wanted to try a Goff instrument for example.