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1953 Clavichord (needs restoration) - $1,100 (Columbia County NY)
condition:
fair
make / manufacturer:
Stanley Johnson
model name / number:
clavichord
size / dimensions:
4 feet long
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This clavichord was commissioned, owned, and played for years by my parents’ friend- well known Baroque recorder player Bernard Krainis (American musician and co-founder of New York Pro Musica). You can hear his recorder LPs on Amaz*n. Mr. Krainis wanted me to have this clavichord back before he passed away in 2000, and he apologized to me for not having kept it in playable condition over the years. The soundboard is cracked and needs replacing, along with other repairs and restoration work, about which I know little- I am not a keyboard player.
My parents were also friends in Greenwich Village with renowned instrument and harpsichord maker Hugh Gough, who I remember used to come to our apartment when I was a child- my father and Hugh used to discuss the material for replacing the quills on my mother's harpsichord.
This clavichord will need significant restoration and repairs by someone with some woodworking skills and a love of music… someone interested in taking on an early music ‘rescue project’. It might possibly be missing some parts, and it obviously needs a new sound board- please see the many photos. Note that clavichords are not as loud as harpsichords, rather intended to be played in a small parlor.
This instrument needs lots of work to make it playable again, and it has plenty of grime as well, due to being stored in several locations during its 72 year lifespan. There are some old strings in place, along with some helpful string gauge pencil notations. I do remember my mother told me of my father hand carving clavichord keys in wood, possibly pearwood. The metal hinges were painted an ivory color. The instrument itself merely sits upon its trestle stand- they are not attached to each other, which makes it much easier to transport in two sections. My father hand inscribed his name, Stanley Johnson, on the gold leaf above the keyboard.
My parents are long passed away. I'm sad to let this go, but I'm no woodworker and no keyboard player, and my grown children are not musicians. I'd like to see it go to someone who might restore it and bring it back to making beautiful music. Listing it here gives it a chance to have a new life.
The length is 4 feet, and as I said the instrument lifts right off the trestle stand. You will need to come pick it up in a vehicle that has the necessary room, with plenty of padding to protect it during a car ride. No scammers please, cash only. I live in Chatham NY, in Columbia County... it takes about 2.5 hours to drive here from Manhattan.
--> Please see my other Craigslist ad for a SECOND clavichord made by my father that I am selling... Thanks!