Clavichord For Sale

Click on the link to view photos:
Clavichord Dolce

The clavichord is said to have been J.S. Bach's favorite instrument. Here are a few reasons why our customers favor their Sabathil clavichords.

The following testimonial is from a customer who also happens to be a piano technician and composer. The Sabathil clavichord we shipped him, being brand new, arrived in perfect tune after being shipped by truck freight, over 6 days and 2000 miles, through the worst winter weather in years. Not only was it stable and unaffected by the shipping, its musical qualities also arrived flawlessly. But read for yourself...

Randall Woltz, C. RPT (Registered Piano Technician), California, USA writes:

"I finally got the clavichord, let it sit in the house for a day and then opened it. When I opened the lid I must have said wow about ten times! Other than a YouTube video, I have never seen one of your clavichords up close.

The soundboard painting is exquisite. The metal framework is really comprehensive and ingenious. I can see how it takes the strain off the case and soundboard. I have heard of other clavichords which are more "historically correct" as far as using old methods but many of them have problems with the case twisting or warping. I want an instrument that will last many years and still play and sound great.

It arrived in tune - I unplugged the telephone and played it for over an hour. I was amazed at how expressive it is. You can play very quietly (almost inaudible if you have sensitive fingers) to about twice as loud. Also articulation is quite dramatic from legato to staccato, it is very sensitive. For such a simple instrument, it has more dynamic range than the harpsichord. I found I could get loud/soft effects just like a piano. And of course, the bebung vibrato which gives it that spanish guitar sound.

What I especially liked was that every note is clear and musical all the way down to the bottom bass note and up to the top of the treble. There are no ugly sounds. The Zuckermann clavichord [I played recently] was smaller, the last three or four bass notes were ugly and unmusical and the top notes were dead. Being a fretted instrument, I never could get it perfectly in tune - I always had to compromise with the white vs. the black notes.

There is more I could say but these are my impressions after playing it for a couple of hours. Maybe I will send Email Part Two after I have touched up the tuning. Thanks again!!"

Email "Part Two" from Randall, five days later:

"Included with the clavichord was a book on baroque music which I played for an hour. The clavichord only needed a touchup tuning in the treble. I had never seen the metal frame close up so I really appreciate its design.

The next night I was playing my book of Handel music and my cat was sleeping next to me. I looked at her and "heard" a lullaby in my head. I went to the computer and wrote it out. I am going to send it to your family with a dedication. Merry Christmas!"

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From Howard S, of Houston, Texas, USA:

"Dear Mr. Sabathil:

I just finished unpacking the clavichord today after I picked it up here in Houston.

IT IS MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN I COULD EVER HAVE IMAGINED!

You truly are master luthier of this instrument. It arrived in perfect shape. I can't wait to play it, but I am waiting until Monday to allow all the wood time to become acclimated to our weather here in Houston, Texas.

I will treasure this instrument for the rest of my life and will play on it daily.

The painting inside is magnificent and I was surprised that you even personalized the soundboard with my name and date of purchase along with the opus number.

Please relate my thanks to your daughter Barb for all her assistance and many emails answering questions...

Thank you...again and again!

I love this clavichord!"

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Additional testimonials available upon request.

With silent plaint within my breast,
I steal to thee; afford
My mournful soul some simple joy,
Thou tender clavichord:

To thy string's strain I oft-times sing,
When with dark wrath oppressed;
Tears flee away, unhoped-for calm
Once more reigns in my breast.

And soon to the sweet silvery sound
Of thy full throbbing string,
To Earth's great Lord, warm gratitude
And song of praise I sing.

Next sing I of a love so chaste
That blooms before God's eyes;
It glows within my bosom, pure
As thy strings' harmonies.

The stronger beats my virtuous heart,
The louder swell my song;
Grant heavenly music to a soul
That cherishes no wrong!

If you're interested in Sabathil & Son harpsichords, visit our lens here:

Sabathil & Son Harpsichords For Sale

We are located near Vancouver, Canada, the source
of the finest musical tone woods in the world!
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NOTE: Due to the volume of email inquiries we receive, please allow 2-3 business days for us to reply. We will get back to you with a personal and detailed response as fast as our fingers can type!

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For instrument PRICING or general questions, email Barb at:

sabathil.and.son@gmail.com

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To order PARTS or request a VALUATION for your Sabathil instrument, email Sigurd and Monica at:

musical-1@shaw.ca

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You may also phone, fax or send "snail mail" to:

S. Sabathil & Son Ltd
Box Q-39
Bowen Island, BC
V0N 1G0
Canada
Phone/Fax: (604)947-0440