Custom Harpsichord Maker

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Gerald Self has been custom-building fine early keyboard instruments such as harpsichords, clavichords, virginals, spinets, and fortepianos since 1968. We have an extensive line of custom-made finished instruments as well as instrument kits that you can assemble yourself! We also provide instrument finishing such as soundboard and case paintings, gilding, and original artwork as specified by the customer. We also can address your early keyboard needs include restringing, requilling, voicing, and instrument rentals.


Gerald Self
built his first harpsichord in 1972, an early 5’ Zuckermann “basic kit” while he was a college student. This began his long association with David Way and Zuckermann harpsichords.

He served as an Agent for ZHI for almost 30 years, during which time he finished off over 70 ZHI instruments, helped many amateurs build their own instruments, and supplied harpsichords for hundreds of concerts throughout the Southwest.

Over the years Gerald Self has worked with both ZHI kit parts and with materials made especially for him by David Way. With every instrument he completed, he tried to reach as high a standard of both tonal and visual finishing as possible. He has spent time in Stonington with David Way, and he has made five trips to Europe to study original instruments.

Gerald Self has supplied harpsichords for the use of many of the world’s finest performing artists and instrumental ensembles, and his instruments are owned by churches, colleges, universities, and performing groups across the Southwest USA. Gerald Self is currently an Associate of Marc Ducornet and The Paris Workshop. He can supply any of the Paris Workshop kits, and he has a display of finished instruments in his San Antonio showroom. He can also deliver any instrument from the Atelier Marc Ducornet catalogue, custom-built in Paris to your specifications.

The range of instruments offered by The Paris Workshop and Gerald Self are the result of 40 years experience and research, initiated by Wolfgang Zuckermann, developed by David Jacques Way, and now continued by Marc Ducornet and Emmanuel Danset in Paris. Their in-depth study of original instruments in museums around the world ensures excellent tonal response in each model.In addition to his harpsichord work, Mr. Self teaches recorder, performs with choirs specializing in early music, and for the past 16 years has produced a weekly hour-long early-music radio program for Texas Public Radio. He hosts Musica Antiqua, 9-10 p.m. Wednesdays on Texas Public Radio.  In his radio program, Gerald Self explores the very best in early classical music and details the history of the music and discusses the rare instruments on which the music is played.


Gerald Self joined the Paris Workshop because the kits produced are of the highest possible quality. All Paris Workshop instruments are closely based on historic principles and are supplied with Swiss pine soundboards and wooden jacks as standard features. Several of the kits are well within the abilities of a first-time builder.

The Paris Workshop can supply a complete line of kits, including clavichords, virginals, and harpsichords in the Flemish, French, and Italian traditions. A kit for a Viennese fortepiano, after Stein, is also available.


Gerald Self also offers a selection of instruments built as display instruments for his San Antonio showroom. These instruments are built from either Paris Workshop parts or from parts made especially for him by Marc Ducornet.


Gerald Self also offers a selection of instruments built as display instruments for his San Antonio showroom. These instruments are built from either Paris Workshop parts or from parts made especially for him by Marc Ducornet.

Let us help you to discover the fulfillment of owning a beautifully made classical harpsichord, clavichord, virginal, spinet or fortepiano.
Contact us for more information!

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