Barlow Compact Plucked Keyboard Instrument
This unusual instrument by the distinguished builder Christopher Barlow was designed with portability in mind - in fact to be accommodated on the back seat of an ordinary car - and it has certainly achieved this. The bass strings are parallel to the keyboard but those for the upper half of the compass are obliquely arranged, thereby reducing the depth of the instrument; this layout has worked well.
There is a small open joint in the lid, which of course has no effect on the tone.
The compass is 4½ octaves, C - f3; this versatile and practical instrument has a transposing keyboard to play at A 392, 415, or 440 with no loss of notes; it also has a buff stop. It is in Cheltenham; the price is £1,400 o.n.o.
Please contact Simon Pickard simon.pickard.sp@gmail.com
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