Reply To: Buying a clavietta – how to check it’s condition?
Hi jelte, if you want it for playing, you need a model which is airtight, with all reeds working.
Ask the seller to try blowing into the mouthpiece without pressing any keys. You shouldn’t be able to blow through at all. If they say they some air passes through, it’s not air tight and should be avoided.
Also ask them to play every key, one by one to check that the reed is working and notes are sounding.
Ideally you’d do this through a video call, or by telephone, but of course – if you can visit and see the instrument in person and play it, that would be great