Restoration of a 17th-century harpsichord to playable condition: a numerical and experimental study

The Music Museum in Paris recently acquired a harpsichord made by Ioannes Couchet in Antwerp in 1652. This instrument is considered to be a masterpiece and is protected as a "National Treasure." It was restored with the aim to be played again in concert. An experimental and numerical study of the vibraoacoustic behavior of this harpsichord is presented. A numerical modal analysis was performed with a finite element model. For the experimental part, impact nearfield acoustical holography was used. Experimental eigenmodes are compared to literature and to the finite element results. An application of the model for restoration studies is also proposed.