spinets

Spinets are a class of keyboard instrument in the harpsichord family, designed as compact, domestic versions of larger harpsichords. Like other harpsichords, spinets produce sound by plucking strings with quills activated by pressing the keys, rather than by striking strings as on a piano. They typically have a single keyboard (one manual) and a comparatively short case, making them easier to fit in homes or smaller rooms. The range of a spinet is usually smaller than that of a full-size harpsichord, and the instrument often features one or two sets of strings.

Historically, spinets emerged in the late 17th century and gained popularity throughout the 18th century, especially in parts of Europe such as France and the Low Countries. They were valued for their compact form, affordability, and suitability for domestic music-making, complementing other small keyboard instruments of the period such as virginals and clavichords. While they share the plucked-string mechanism of the harpsichord, spinets typically offer a lighter construction and reduced tonal power, reflecting their domestic, rather than concert, role.

With the rise of piano design in the late 18th and 19th centuries, spinets and other harpsichord types gradually declined in mainstream use. Today, spinets are primarily of interest to instrument collectors, early-music performers, and restorers. Reconstructing a spinet involves attention to the keyboard action, stringing, soundboard, and the integrity of the quills and dampers to preserve its characteristic timbre.