Work in Progress

Gilded rose in Ruckers Double soundboard 31K jpeg

The Ruckers Double Harpsichord

2 x 8⁠´, 1 x 4⁠´, buff on back 8⁠´
Stop registers worked by brass levers through nameboard
Two 56+1-note bone keyboards GG–d''' A392/A415/A440
Tapered pearwood jacks with holly tongues,
boar bristle springs & natural Celcon plectra
Strung in Malcom Rose wire
Gilded rose
Soundboard painting by Diana Ford
in style of early I Ruckers
Flemish printed papers to keywell (Reverse Seahorse),
case rim (Single Mask Medallion) & jackrail (Emperor Mask Medallion)
Latin mottos on papered lid interior
Marbled exterior, bright mouldings
Seven leg table stand in French oak
Oak music desk & lid sticks
Matching oak stool with buttoned leather seat

CAREY BEEBE • MMXI

Commission for Royal Opera House, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Ruckers Double keyboards postcard 8K jpeg

Download postcard.


		Oil gilding the rose Carey Beebe demonstrating oil gilding of the harpsichord soundboard rose.
		Priming the harpsichord case Carey Beebe applying primer to a Ruckers Double Harpsichord case.
		Marbling the harpsichord Time-lapse of Carey Beebe marbling the spine of a Ruckers Double Harpsichord.
		Hand-rubbed varnishing the marbled harpsichord Carey Beebe hand-rubbing the first coat of varnish on the marbled Ruckers Double Harpsichord cheek.
		Lining the marbled harpsichord exterior Carey Beebe delineating the exterior marbled areas of the Ruckers Double Harpsichord


Soundboard decoration	Hinging the lid


Mouldings completed on oak stand table	Marbling with green case bands


Gluing on the sharps	Lower keyboard completed with leather fronts


Exterior marbling completed with trompe l’oeil lines and case varnished	Case interior papered and instrument ready for stringing


Instrument strung and ready for action installation	Back 8⁠´ jacks fitted


Lid papered with ashgrain moiré and borders	Playing instrument on stand


Lettering the Latin motto	Detail of completed lid decoration with arabesques

	View this instrument complete
	معلومات عن كاري بيبي — About Carey Beebe
	Custom instruments
	Harpsichords Australia Home Page