THE DROP-LEAF SPINET

Oct 2007
newly finished drop-leaf spinet £3500 for immediate delivery.

Hear the drop-leaf spinet

This kit is more difficult to build than harpsichord or virginals because none of the corners is rectangular and there is a lot of decorative woodwork on show.

      The Bolton drop-leaf spinet meets the need for an easily portable instrument that takes up an absolute minimum of space, thanks to the "drop-leaf" feature. Despite the small size, the spinet has a compass of over 4 octaves (B to D at modern pitch, C to D at baroque pitch) and good tone. Changing from modern to baroque pitch is instantaneous, thus it is highly practical as a continuo instrument either at home or away and it is also suitable for much of the solo repertoire.
      The basically triangular shape of the case is relieved by faceted corners and an inset keyboard. Its appearance is further enhanced by contrasting shades of oak embellished with cedar mouldings. The stand and music desk are of solid oak. The key coverings are cherry and black walnut as standard. The keys are a little narrower than standard, like some French keyboards.
      The way the "drop-leaf" feature works can be seen from the pictures. One holds up the front of the spinet with one hand, swings the gate-leg in with the other and then lowers the body of the instrument to the vertical position. The action of swinging the gate leg in brings out a "fourth leg" with a ball foot, on which the nose of the case can be seen resting. There is nothing complicated about the mechanism - just two pairs of hinges.
      The main hinges are provided with a loose pin so the stand can be separated from the spinet. In this condition it can easily be carried by one person and loaded into an ordinary car.

THE KIT
      The drop-leaf spinet comes in two alternative forms:
1) The basic kit, which contains no case parts. You make your own case according to the drawing and instructions supplied, or to your own compatible design. Sometimes a local craftsman can be found who will make a suitable case at an advantageous price.
2) The basic plus kit, which contains the case sides and mouldings for them, and other oak parts.
      Within the basic plus option you can also opt for:
Lid parts
Stand parts
Music desk parts
The full list of parts under each option is given below.
      The basic plus buyer needs only some plywood for the bottom of the case etc. and a few pieces of easily obtained softwood.


KIT CONTENTS
As for the list "Common to all kits" PLUS:
Hitchpin rails, beech
Bridge and nut, beech
Upper guides – soft plastic for accurate positioning with low noise and friction.
"Cornerstone" block, softwood.
For Basic plus option, add:
Corner pieces, with veneer strips, oak
Case sides, oak faced ply
Lipping and edging strips, oak
Moulding strip, cedar
Keywell ends, oak
Jack rail with fittings, oak
Toolbox lid, oak, moulded, with brass knob.
Extra cost as per price list.

For stand option add: 3 legs, oak, tapered octagonal.
Trestle top, oak. 4 rails, oak. "4th leg", oak, with ball foot.
Brass hinges with screws. Dowels.
Tapered plugs to cover same (in 4th leg). Dowel jig (returnable).
Extra cost 40% of basic kit price.

For further lid option add: Oak faced ply with optional lipping. Extra cost from 5% of basic kit price.

For music desk option add: Oak strip Brass strip Extra cost 4% of basic kit price

EXTRAS:(no hardwood allowed for)
The amount of wood you will need for the "basic" kit depends on your design.
For the "basic plus" with all options, you will need about £30 worth.
Carriage (UK mainland) costs about £18 for the "basic", and £25 for the "basic plus" (2003 prices)

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