Adlam Burnett c. 1975

This beautiful instrument is by my favourite modern maker and good friend, Derek Adlam.  Based on the single-manual instruments of the Ruckers dynasty, it was made during the early years of the Finchcocks workshops. The original instruments had a compass of just four octaves C/E - c3 short octave, with one 8' and one 4' stop.  Much respected for their fine tone, in the eighteenth century nearly all were extended by a process of 'ravalement' in either France or England.  The 'Derek Adlam' scheme is unusual in having a 'broken octave' keyboard using the apparent BB key to play GG, and retaining the low sharps with the divided C# playing AA on the front portion and C# at the back.  D# plays BB and D#.  The top note is d3.  Thus the keyboard layout is that used by Stephen Keene and others for English spinets c. 1690  - 1710.  It also has an additional set of 8' strings. It has bone keys.

The original plastic jacks were replaced with wooden sets in new registers in 2023, with goose-quill plectra.  It has recently been re-strung with Burkett historic brass and P-iron.  It was built for A 44o and is non-transposable due to the broken octave, but it would surely be happy at A415.  

It is in a beautiful malachite green case with authentic brassware.  There is an oak stand.  There is a new oak music desk, which fits inside the case.  The soundboard is not painted.  

SOLD

10/25