1. Hans Müller, Leipzig 1537 (C-a², Transposing Device, 8´,8´,8´ „Protuding Keyboard“).

2. Johann Mayer, Stuttgart 1619 (B-c³, 8´,8´,8´, „Protuding Keyboard“).

3. Johann Nikolaus Bach, Jena around 1700 (AA-d³, 8´,8´,8´, „Protuding Keyboard“)

4. Ca. 10 Instruments unsigned, undated.
All have 8´,8´ Stringing , 3 Rows of Jacks, no 4´-Strings, Protuding Keyboard.

The Harpsichord of Johann Mayer is the Second Eldest.

The Instrument is 197 cm long; due to it´s Fine Bass Scale and it´s Range B - c³ it is Suitable for Today´s Purposes and can be Copied Without Alterations.
It has got Three 8´ Registers, Fan-Like Arranged on a Two-Fold Brass Stringing: so it has 3 Completely Different Sounding Registers: Nasal and Soft, Clear and Strong (like a „Normal Harpsichord“), Dark and Loud (like a Virginal-Muselaar). The strings are made of Bronce, Brass and Tombak; all pins are gold-plated.

The Original had been built for a „Multi-Millionaire-Family“ in the 17th Century and Very Expensive Material was used for the Decoration:

Ivory- and Tortoiseshell Intarsia with Engravings, Complicated Cassettes, Veneer of Tropical Wood,
which was the Most Expensive in Europe in That Time, Jewels in the Rose.
It is no Problem to Copy the Original Decoration in every Detail. I Estimate the Costs around US$ 20,000: at least Much More Cheaper than in the Year 1619.
I Tried to Achieve with my Decoration an Affordable Similarity to the Original.

Price with simple stand of 3 legs: US$ 20,300

For Details of the history, please click HERE.

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