Great story. Glad to see that instrument back in use. I built a Z. Flemish harpsichord back in 1973 and is still in use. It stays in tune forever as does the Z. virginal and clavichord I built in the mid 1970s. Zuckermann makes great stuff!
What a joy it is to see this video. I have recently finished refurbishing a Z-Box that was in non-climate controlled storage (Florida) for about thirty years. Following a thorough cleaning, action upgrade, and much loving care, it is now a joy to play.
Yes, indeed, Matthew E -- a Z-box with upgraded strings and plectra, well voiced, can really sound quite decent. My own instrument is similar (though the upgrades were done by a professional harpsichordist rather than by the Zuckermann shop and it has the old jacks, adapted, rather than the new jack kit -- and possibly a slightly different stringing schedule). The fact that a Z-box goes to A in the bass makes it a great affordable instrument for a violist da gamba such as myself -- that's the range you need to accompany all the French solo literature for viol, matching the downward range of the 7-string French baroque bass viol. Admittedly the lowest few notes on a five-footer aren't going to sound spectacularly well-defined no matter what you string it with and in what gauge -- the limitation is inherent in the short string length given the Young's modulus of available types of brass, if I correctly understand and recall a paper that Paul Poletti has written on the subject. But at least the low notes are at least there, and for most of the range it sounds very good indeed, a considerable improvement to the sound of the original steel music wire. It occasionally moves between A-415 and A-440 (with a day or two to settle and retune) without complaining, as well. The scale is (just) short enough to do A-440 with iron.
I don't remember the temperament we used here but I usually choose temperament according to the program to be played. Sometimes the performer may ask for a specific temperament. If not, I ask them what they are playing and choose something that makes sense historically.
Great story. Glad to see that instrument back in use. I built a Z. Flemish harpsichord back in 1973 and is still in use. It stays in tune forever as does the Z. virginal and clavichord I built in the mid 1970s. Zuckermann makes great stuff!
4:58 The decay sound of that last chord was incredibly beautiful.
Thank you for the comment!
This old Z-boxes can be made to sound great and work dependably.
What a joy it is to see this video. I have recently finished refurbishing a Z-Box that was in non-climate controlled storage (Florida) for about thirty years. Following a thorough cleaning, action upgrade, and much loving care, it is now a joy to play.
This instrument has a beautiful sound!
What a beautiful sound this instrument has.
Lindo som! Parabéns à equipe de restauração!
Lindo instrumento! Parabéns à proprietária! :-)
obrigado!
Wow... really good sound for a 5 foot instrument with a "straight"-side
What a great instrument. You guys have done a very well job. :)
Yes, indeed, Matthew E -- a Z-box with upgraded strings and plectra, well voiced, can really sound quite decent. My own instrument is similar (though the upgrades were done by a professional harpsichordist rather than by the Zuckermann shop and it has the old jacks, adapted, rather than the new jack kit -- and possibly a slightly different stringing schedule).
The fact that a Z-box goes to A in the bass makes it a great affordable instrument for a violist da gamba such as myself -- that's the range you need to accompany all the French solo literature for viol, matching the downward range of the 7-string French baroque bass viol.
Admittedly the lowest few notes on a five-footer aren't going to sound spectacularly well-defined no matter what you string it with and in what gauge -- the limitation is inherent in the short string length given the Young's modulus of available types of brass, if I correctly understand and recall a paper that Paul Poletti has written on the subject. But at least the low notes are at least there, and for most of the range it sounds very good indeed, a considerable improvement to the sound of the original steel music wire. It occasionally moves between A-415 and A-440 (with a day or two to settle and retune) without complaining, as well. The scale is (just) short enough to do A-440 with iron.
Thank you for that well-considered comment. The z-box can be made to sing. I am doing experiments now with bass strings and will post videos as I can.
Louis Marchand
Saludos,Donde se encuentra su fabrica de clavecines?
www.google.com/maps/place/65+Cutler+St,+Stonington,+CT+06378/@41.3396023,-71.9081894,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e5e22a95878029:0x5eb5429f403903e0!8m2!3d41.3396023!4d-71.9060007
I wonder if the tone is so good because of the quality of the soundboard wood. Or maybe because the bentside is straight!
How hard is it to find a z box with keys like this and a 4 stop?
please tell me whats the pieces hes playing?
What temperament do you usually tune to?
I don't remember the temperament we used here but I usually choose temperament according to the program to be played. Sometimes the performer may ask for a specific temperament. If not, I ask them what they are playing and choose something that makes sense historically.
Thank you for your answer.