Martenot Clavi-Harp (France, 1953) in great conditions! Ultra Rare!

We are selling this super rare Martenot Clavi-Harp, a cool vintage instrument invented by Maurice Martenot in 1953, the inventor of the famous Ondes Martenot.

SERIAL NUMBER: 1532

CONDITION: This Clavi-Harp is ultra rare and it’s fully working and in excellent cosmetical conditions for its age!

DESCRIPTION: The Clavi-Harp a sort of toy piano, but instead of playing it with keys, you play it with your fingers directly on the steel bars. The manner of playing and the sound that is produced is a hybrid of a toy piano and a Hohner Guitaret. The sound is delicate and plucked, with a timbre somewhere between a toy piano, a celesta, a vibraphone and a kalimba. 

HISTORY: The Clavi-Harp is a rare musical instrument invented in 1953 by Maurice Martenot with the aim of offering a singing guide for the students of his musical school, the École d'Art Martenot. This instrument will subsequently be approved by the Ministry of National Education (Commission for the study and approval of means of teaching music).

This instrument has two octaves (Fa2 to Fa4) and is played with the fingertips by operating metal rods. It fits by shrinking or lengthening the loops of these metal rods using pliers.

At the time, the instrument was supplied with a piezo pickup system (not included in the sale), which made it possible to amplify the sound by plugging in the instrument. Its sound, softer than a toy piano, recalls the sound of the vibraphone or the celesta. 

Several groups or musicians use it today such as ANA-R, Chapi Chapo and the little rain music, Watine or Pascal Ayerbe.

THE INVENTOR: Maurice Martenot (1898 – 1980) was a French cellist, a radio telegrapher during the first World War, and a great inventor. Born in Paris, he is best known for his invention of the ondes Martenot, an instrument he first realized in 1928 and spent decades improving. He unveiled a microtonal model in 1938. He also was responsible for teaching the first generation of ondes Martenot performers, including Karel Goeyvaerts, Jeanne Loriod, Georges Savaria, Gilles Tremblay, and his sister Ginette Martenot. 

Martenot himself performed as an 'ondist' with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski in 1930. The 1937 World's Fair in Paris awarded him "Le Grand Prix de l'Exposition Mondiale". He taught lessons at the Paris Conservatoire during the 1940s. 

Grab a bargain! Don't miss out on this cool piece!

Collector’s item! This instrument is extremely rare and a wonderful addition to any musical instrument collection or musician's toolkit. Don't miss this opportunity!

THIS MARTENOT CLAVI-HARP IS FULLY WORKING AND IN VERY EXCELLENT COSMETICAL CONDITIONS FOR ITS AGE. IT WILL BE PACKAGED IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY (PLEASE, READ OUR FEEDBACK) BUT IN ANY CASE IT WILL BE SOLD AT BUYER'S RISK, WITHOUT WARRANTY AGAINST POSSIBLE DEFECTS DUE TO TRANSPORT: WE CAN'T OFFER ANY REFUND!

This is your chance to get your hands on a truly legendary and unique instrument!

Very hard to let this one go, but it's not getting enough use and it's just time to move on. 

See photos & condition description for condition details, but feel free to ask questions. 

OPEN TO OFFERS!

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