"Dedicated to the preservation of the funkiest instrument known to man."
This mechanically operated electronic musical instrument has 60 piano keys with a range from contra F to e'". The tubular steel legs screw off and pack easily into the special compartment provided (2, Fig. 1) together with the amplifier cable lead. The music stand fits into the case lid.
Reproduction has to be by means of an amplifier and Orgaphon amplifiers are specially recommended for good results.
In order to assemble the Clavinet for playing, place it across a table and after removing the case lid and cover flap (1. Fig. 1) over from the keyboard side, the leg compartment is accessible. The leg section bag, also connecting cable can then be removed. Before operating the Clavinet D6, it is necessary to insert a 9-V battery into the battery casing (8. Fig. 1) and attach it to the press button connection. At the back of the instrument there is a socket market "6-V Adapter only" for connecting a suitable power pack for transistor apparatus. Thus, mains operation is possible, as when the adapter plug is inserted the instrument battery is cut off.
Volume on Clavinet D-6 is controlled by clockwise turning of a knob (4, Fig.1) the dynamics of playing depend on the players own touch just as on a piano. However, the basic strength of volume must be set on the instrument as well as on the attached amplifier. The volume control on the instrument works more smoothly when the amplifier is not too close to the player, and of course the volume control on the switched on amplifier must be turned up sufficiently. A foot swell can be supplied as an optional extra and has to be connected to the socket marked "Output 100mV". The foot well socket takes the amplifier lead. Instrument volume should be turned on full and the volume of the amplifier must be sufficiently strong.
The register switches (5, Fig. 1) vary the tone, whereby the treble and bass regulators on the amplifier should be suitably set to obtain the required balanced tone effect.
The register tabs on the left-hand panel are marked AB, CD and are connected to the sound pick-up for a wide variety of settings. As required, they switch both pick-ups either singly or parallel, whereby the polarity of one of the pick-ups is reserved to cancel overtones or to add them. Thus the AB and CD registers produced tone colors in every position, whereas the other four registers produce the marked tone colour when the tab is pressed down at the back no sound comes out.
One of the four tabs must be depressed; otherwise the instrument remains silent.
The slide on the right panel, if pushed away from the player, puts a damper on the strings and produces a dull, dry sound. This dry sound can be extended to all tone colours on the left, but it is advisable to use the slide in the end positions, where either all strings are muted or not.
The Clavinet D 6 keyboard range of 5 octaves (F1-e3) is suitable for a big proportion of piano music, beginning with lute and organ music of the 14th century, covering all Baroque piano music up to the Classical period. It is also suitable for a section of piano music of the Romantic period because intonation depends on keyboard pressure. Although this instrument can player very melodiously, it is also possible to produced very incisive single notes, with very special appeal to the jazz pianist. Rock music has tremendous impact with the Clavinet D 6, provided ample amplification is available.
Key intonation must be definite as with the historical Clavichord, while pressure on the key must be maintained. Careless playing sounds ineffective. One has to play more or less "Portato" to produce "Staccato". There is direct finger contact with the string through they key and the plunger; the note continues to sound as long as the connection is maintained.
This belongs to the group of electronic instruments incorporating mechanical vibrators (strings) which are intonated by piano keys and a suitable mechanism (Pat. Pending). These mechanical vibrations are not conveyed to the air but are converted into electrical frequencies through magnetic pick-ups which are amplified and reproduced through the loudspeaker. The keys form a single arm lever. When a key is depressed, a plunger underneath touches the string and presses it on to an anvil. The string impinges on the anvil with greater or less strength according to the heaviness of key pressure, thus affecting the dynamics of the sounding string. Immediately the key is released, contact between plunger and anvil is broken, leaving the wool-wound part of the string (left of the anvil) free, so that the string vibration is immediately muted.
Magnetic pick-ups are situated at the other end of the string. The strings effect the change in the magnetic flow in the pick-up which in turn induces tone frequencies. The four tone colours are regulated by register switches and depend on which pick-up is switched on.
This voltage is directed via the register network to an amplifier and reproduced in the loudspeaker.
The simple construction of this instrument makes it very easy to attend to adjustments because the most important parts of this carefully constructed instrument are easily accessible. By turning two milled screws (6, Fig.1) and on removing the side pieces, the strings can be replaced.
Occasionally the instrument needs tuning because it is fitted with strings, but this should be easy for a piano tuner, as the Clavinet D6 uses only one string per note, covering only 5 octaves. A tuning key is supplied with every instrument (2, Fig. 1).
_The tuning pin is approximately one octave further left of the piano key (refer to label alongside the tuning pins). The strings are relatively slack, so avoid unnecessary turning. Only turn the tuning pin while simultaneously intonating and listening.
If a faulty or damaged string has to be replaced, unscrew the keyboard side pieces and if necessary remove the keyboard from the string holder for easy access. Thread in the new string into the piece left in the wool winding, making sure it is in good order.
Amplifier Cable
Tuning key
A foot swell is available as an optional extra
