Discreet Archive Friction Idiophone Mark I (Cristal Baschet) 2025 - Stainless Steel and Aluminium

This is built to order, it will take up to 6 weeks to ship, please find more information and audio samples on our website, link in shop bio

This instrument is a 25 note 2-octave (C3–C5) friction idiophone, based on the principles of the Cristal Baschet — an electroacoustic instrument developed in the 1950s by Bernard and François Baschet. Sound is produced by rubbing glass rods with moistened fingertips, with vibrations transmitted through an aluminium and stainless steel frame to create sustained, harmonically rich tones.

Designed for composers, sound designers, and studios, this desktop-format model offers the expressive range of the Cristal Baschet in a more accessible and portable form. Its streamlined construction makes it a practical, cost-conscious option for exploring this distinctive sound world without the scale and expense of a full-sized instrument.

Technical Specifications:

• Range: C3–C5 (2 octaves)
  
• Weight: approx. 9 kg
  
• Dimensions: L 600 mm × D 210 mm × H 350 mm