Harpsichord Making: Bentside

Harpsichord Maker Kevin Fryer demonstrates his techniques for bending a bentside during case construction.

[@BuchouKuruta]

Good evening Sir, thanks so much for this amazing video. I am from Colombia and here in Bogota city lives a french Luthier of Harpsichords, his name is Jean Francois Chauderge. I used to visit a lot his workshop, but I stop visiting it because I am very frustrated to not be able to play as a musician, even more and more frustrated to not be a musician. Thanks again for this video, I am motivated to visit the Harpsichord workshop and learn to play. Harpsichord is my favorite instrument.

[@philipbay1548]

How are your musical studies coming along?

[@Bolognalegs]

Thank you for demonstrating this difficult process. You're truly a master craftsman!

[@ritschardt]

I was bending some violin liners in poplar I soaked them then before going to the bending iron they tended to straighten out after letting go, dry heat let them take a more pemanent bend. Dry heat is better but there is a risk of burning it should be possible to set the thermostats to give just the right heat with minimal burning. Double curved bentsides are fun because you can't slide the bentside along to match the curve and still get the tail curve to fit I have used a propane torch and even the wood heater to deal with with some difficult spots. It took 10 days to make the bentside on a JP Bull harpsichord never the less one of the most elegant bentsides ever. I mostly use a steaming box.

[@jimbo2629]

I like your machine. I used to just use a metal former that I heated up. I then had to scrape the finish including the scorch marks. Now I laminate. It gives me a more accurate curve. Your way is a big improvement on both.

[@Marie579]

You have a lot of patience doing this job, I would of replied to some of the questions with “ you have anymore stupid questions to ask? “

[@beneditowagnergarciafaria1421]

Very good! Thank you! Ótimo trabalho e arte! Saudações do Brasil!

[@queswerte]

@Mr98giuliano No...I never use plywood. 30 or 40 years ago builders used plywood for some case parts. But most all builders have stopped using it in favor of service woods such as poplar, linden, and basswood.

[@queswerte]

@Mr98giuliano Yes, I do use poplar for bentsides. It bends fairly easily

[@rayvox1967]

Can you translate those videos to spanish...pleeeaaassseee?God I hate myself for can't understand english very well.I'm from Argentina (Martha Argerich's homeland) I love harpsichords, I really love it.These videos rules!!!

[@MrVowov]

Very inspiring video! Where is it possible to find/buy the drawing of this instrument?

[@queswerte]

@Mr98giuliano The container is just plain water.

[@queswerte]

Yes, the bentside is poplar, it bends fairly easily Kevin

[@harpsi8]

very nice you bend 1/2"-5/8ths thick poplar the same way as I bent 1/8" walnut for dulcmores. It works, I was the first 4 views. How do you punch the hole in jack tongues ? raven/crow/derlin you videos are great

[@giulianocomoglio]

@queswerte ok,thank you very mutch for this information and great compliments for you work!!!!

[@giulianocomoglio]

another question is what wood do you use? poplar?

[@giulianocomoglio]

@queswerte and i now that the poplar has a good sound!!! do you use plywood?

[@queswerte]

@rayvox1967 Hola Martha, no entiendo como a intrepetrar mi videos. Nesecito que educarme en ese proceso. No sea si vay ser facil. Pero estoy mu alegre que te gusta el clavicembalo. Gracias por tu nota

[@tempetiger]

Is that the same way they make the curved stop rail panels on theatre organs?

[@AnaBejoaj-k3u]

great!!!

[@hanchengliu5371]

Nice craft! But he seems to rely on his experience more to bend that board ,not some tools make for doing this specially. Does this method always work perfectly?

[@gummyfamus101]

Hello, I am participating in a science competition and I would like to build a harpsichord-esque instrument. I have planned almost everything, but there's a problem. The keys. I know how big and long they're going to be but I can't figure out how a harpsichord jack is built or works. I have tried surfing the net but to no avail. Can you lend some advice?

[@giulianocomoglio]

Which contains liquid that jar?

[@harpsi8]

I have read air dried beech bends better Ruckers have been often found with euro-beechIf you read hubbard, and O'brien. I have seen the scorch marks in O'brien's book.

[@philipbay1548]

Not sure who is practicing the Scarlatti K 208 at thebeginning, bit it sounded more like practice than a performance