http://instrument.musikverket.se/samlingar/sokinst.php?l=sv&mmcss=&saml_open=1&typ=1&niv=3&hk=14&uk=16

variety of clavichords in the Stockholm Museum;


Two technology observations:

1. angle of soundboard:

in the older instruments, the grain of the soundboards runs parallel to the
back and front of the case;

in the later instruments, the grain slants diagonally from the back right
to the front left of the soundboard, resulting in longer boards in the
middle of the sound board:

how does this affect resonance?

2. Spacing of key levers:

In the older instruments, the key levers have spaces between levers in the
middle of the keyboard, like a bird foot; usually these spaces occur
between pairs alternated with trios of key levers;

Is this the result of stringing with one guage or fewer guages of wire?

In the newer instruments, there are no gaps between the key levers.

Is this the result of varying the string guage to suit the pitch of the
keys?

-- 
Robert James (Bob) Seeley, D.M.A. retired;
Early Keyboards Enthusiast;
Adam Schaaf Upright Piano: Model 21, 58265 (1921); refurbished 2012;
Zuckermann Harpsichord Kit: built 1968, Dallas TX; refurbished 2016,
Bedford TX;

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