CLAVIERS
BAROQUES -- Library
of Stringing Schedules 
CLAVIERS
BAROQUES -- Library
of Stringing Schedules
Wolfgang Zuckerman's design for a small harpsichord was so popular when it was introduced in the early 1960's that he could not keep up with the demand. When a customer asked if he could buy the parts and put it together himself, the harpsichord kit was born. Approximately 15,000 Z-box kits were sold. In addition to the thousands of owner-built Z-boxes scattered around the world, many other early revival builders, such as Sperrhake, Wittmayer, Neupert, LeSage and Albarda, used similar dimensions and scaling for their small instruments.
| 'Classic' -- schedule using the replacement wire supplied with the kit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
String number* |
Notes (Helmholtz) |
Material |
Diameter |
| 37 to 57 (21 wires) | a' to f''' | steel | .009" / 0.23mm |
| 24 to 36 (13 wires) | g# to g#' | steel | .011" / 0.27mm |
| 16 to 23 (8 wires) | c to g | steel | .013" / 0.330mm |
| 11 to 15 (5 wires) | G to B | yellow brass | .016" / 0.36mm |
| 5 to 10 (6 wires) | C# to F# | yellow brass | .020" / 0.44mm |
| 1 to 4 (4 wires) | AA to C | yellow brass | .025" / 0.65mm |
 "New improved" schedule using soft iron music wire (less tension, more tone) -- 8 foot register |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| String number* |
Notes (Helmholtz) |
Material |
Diameter |
| 56 to 57 (optional) | e''' and f''' | soft iron | .008" (use if .009 breaks in the extreme treble) |
| 37 to 57 (21 wires) | a' to f''' | soft iron | .009" / 0.23mm |
| 24 to 36 (13 wires) | g# to g#' | soft iron | .011" / 0.27mm |
| 20 to 23 (4 wires) | e to g | soft iron | .012" / 0.315mm |
| 16 to 19 (4 wires) | c to d# | soft iron | .014" / 0.355mm |
| 11 to 15 (5 wires) | G to B | yellow brass | .016" / 0.36mm |
| 5 to 10 (6 wires) | C# to F# | yellow brass | .020" / 0.44mm |
| 1 to 4 (4 wires) | AA to C | red brass | .025" / 0.65mm |
| most Z-box types are single-strung 8', a few are 2 x 8' but occasionally you will find one which is 8' and 4'. We have never seen an 'original wire' schedule for a 4', but here is our suggested schedule for the 4' in the "New improved" style. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| String number* |
Notes (Helmholtz) |
Material |
Diameter |
| 47 to 57 (11 wires) | g'' to f''' | soft iron | .008" / 0.23mm |
| 37 to 46 (10 wires) | a' to f#'' | soft iron | .009" / 0.23mm |
| 24 to 36 (13 wires) | g# to g#' | soft iron | .010" / 0.24mm |
| 20 to 23 (4 wires) | e to g | soft iron | .011" / 0.27mm |
| 16 to 19 (4 wires) | c to d# | soft iron | .012" / 0.315mm |
| 11 to 15 (5 wires) | G to B | yellow brass | .014" / 0.355mm |
| 5 to 10 (6 wires) | C# to F# | yellow brass | .016" / 0.36mm |
| 1 to 4 (4 wires) | AA to C | red or yellow brass | .018" / 0.40mm |
*strings, keys and jacks are traditionally counted from the left (lowest note), although stringing schedules traditionally list wire from the highest note to the lowest, probably because most builders string the treble first. It is confusing, I know; sorry.
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| © 2004-2011 Claviers Baroques | last updated
October 17, 2011
|