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We have worked on Clavinets since they were new. The Clavinet was created by Ernst Zacharias & introduced by Matteus Hohner in 1964. It is a clavichord, smaller and more portable than the classical instrument. It may be diminuitive in size, but not in sound.
Two pickups allow amplification, the first model had a built in amplifier & speaker.
Apparently originally designed for classical music, fate decided its future lay elsewhere.
Its potential was quickly realised by a numner of popular musicians. In particular, Stevie Wonder brought it to prominence.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, many sample players include a Clavinet patch. On digital pianos it is almost compulsory. None capture the essence of this unique instrument.
It is velocity sensitive in the conventional manner. It also tends to bend notes when struck or pressed hard, not easy for a sampler to imitate. This characterisic enables performance nuances usually associated with instruments of the guitar family.
Some way from its rumoured classical intent. The D6 & E7 models feature a mute slide control to shorten sustain. The clavichord action does not allow a sustain pedal.
Many owners have been surprised at the difference a full service can make.
| Hohner are the second oldest in our current listing of classic instrument builders. Matthias Hohner, a clock maker, started full time making of harmonicas in 1857. By 1887 annual production had passed one million. |
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It is a light portable keyboard instrument, usually 5 octave, with folding legs. Action & feel similiar to a grand piano, in inverted form. The key front pushing the mechanism down.
The tone source is a set of U shaped steel bars, using the tuning fork principle. Giving a mellow tone & good sustain. Originally held by leather straps, spring steel was used later. Struck by felt dressed hammers.
A solid harp frame is not needed, reducing weight. On older models, tone bars tend to fall out of place in transit, solved by a simple mechanism. A pedal pulls a cord, wrapped round a rotating, sprung wooden rod. This is set with a row of thin steel rods, which 'comb' the bars into position. The spirit of Heath Robinson was alive & well.
Features from this instrument survived it. The tuning fork principle is used, in modified form, for the Rhodes piano, created 90 years later. The inverted front action allows a compact layout, as in the Hohner Clavinet, a slender amplified clavichord, of Stevie Wonder fame. |
The Dulcitone was designed in 1860 by Thomas Machell & Sons of Glasgow. As far as I know it remained in production until the 1920s. My experience of this instrument was in the mid 1960s, when I overhauled one for a friend.
 pages for more information.
For Service & Repairs etc. call: +44 (0)207 288 0037 alphaentek@hammondhire.com |
| Contact: For technical advice |
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Clavinet. Updated on the 18th of June 2005. © Ron Lebar, Author.