This unusual instrument is a Baldwin Combo Electric Harpsichord. It sold for $3,330 US on Ebay - reflecting the apparent rarity of these beasts.
The most well known use of a Baldwin Combo seems to be in the Beatles song 'Because' - particularly the intro. Here's a YouTube video.
If had time for a Second Life I'd definitely buy a harpsichord - especially at only $2.25.
Back in September I went to an auction. But not just any old auction, this was at a stately home which was being sold (for £15 million) and the entire contents were being auction by Sotheby's (the worlds oldest international auction house).
Actually I didn't go to the actual auction itself, I just attended one of the viewing days. This meant we got really close up to all the exquisite objects - sit in the chairs, jump on the beds, rattle the silver and best of all - play the musical instruments !
Sadly there were only two instruments, the first being this extremely cute little spinet.
Unfortunately every single one of the strings was broken so no sound was forthcoming. It was a lovely little thing though, and had an estimate of £4000.
Next though was this handsome bentside spinet in fairly good working order. Most of the keys worked and some of them were in tune too so I was able to have a bit of a tinkle. The keyboard felt absolutely wonderful and the sound was too. This was a real quality instrument. The estimate was for £15,000 - £20,000 though so I didn't bother putting a bid in ! What a pleasure though to have a go on such a beast.
Here's a little more Bach, this time played on the harpsichord, once again by Gustav Leonhardt. Make sure you watch right to the end to see his great backing band.
Right, time for some culture on Squeezytunes.
Ladies and Gentlement please be upstanding for Prof. Zuzana Ruzickova, Czech harpsichordist, playing Gigue from French Suite No. 5 by Bach.
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