There is at least one harpsichord with a range of FF to f''' from "Germany" 
and earlier than you might expect: the J H Harrass in Sondershausen. The 
museum says that there was evidence, now lost, that it was made by J H 
Harrass, not another member of the family, and he died in 1714. I was 
sceptical about the date "before 1714" until I made it and heard it - now I 
think it definitely sounds right. It has a shove coupler too, probably 
original. The other Harrass, now in Berlin, is supposed to have been given 
by J S Bach to Wilhelm Friedeman, so he probably knew the family at least. 
Which of them made the Berlin one, or when, is not known.

Huw Saunders
London 

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