How to make a harpsichord string eye

This will show you in a straightforward way how to make the 'eye' or the 'hook' of a harpsichord string - literally 'in a pinch'...
You will need a 'hook-of-sorts' - the tuning hammers with hooks are ideal - a pair of pliers, a wire cutter - and patience.

[@catarinatrigo]

👏😎

[@jimbo2629]

Less messy if you turn 4 times one way and then release and turn tuning hammer 4 turns back. It is more conventional to wind clockwise, not that it matters. Clamping the free string under your shoe works well as long as you turn the tuning hammer backwards after 3 or 4 coils . It stops it wrapping around your hand.

[@youexx]

The "sign of the Cross" with the tuning hammer! Beautiful. Super nicely done the whole thing!!!!

[@tastogiusto]

Thank you

[@JanWeinhold001]

Thanks Ketil!

[@youexx]

If anyone wants to try this: Ancient dear departed friend Richard Rephann, for many years the Head of the Yale Collection of Instruments, NEVER did the various kinds of loops using questionable or upstart tools. No, Richard simply passed the string around the hitchpin, giving it moderate tension; and with apparent sleight-of-hand between two free fingers, passed the bitter end simply under the main length very close to the hitchpin, AND lo and beheuld, the string remained. Simply a matter of bringing the wire to rough pitch, and miracolo, it held! I tried to do that many times and could never get it to hold decently before bringing it to pitch. I suspect however that if anyone COULD do that and have that tiny thing hold properly - for years! - it would be a well known harpsichordist from Norway, currently living in a more densely populated European country! No nonsense hooks or multi-turn loops! Pfehh! Anyone too rough-hewn and crude to do that should stay away from harpsichords, secure in the fortress of the giant blunderbuss known as "the piano" :)