There are harpsichords in the living room, the atrium, the bedrooms, hallways, the library and even the family room just off the kitchen. Haas not only collects historical harpsichords, clavichords and forte pianos, he also makes them and is a classic keyboard instrument scholar. It goes back to the 15th century, and every European country had its own style of harpsichord. He built his first harpsichord from a kit in 1960. By 1968, making harpsichords and clavichords from scratch was a full-time occupation.
Actual construction starts with building the case walls and bottom.
But the process begins long before, as Haas scours the globe for fine woods such as Spanish cedar for the case and boxwood and ebony for the keyboard. He uses mostly hand tools, but also employs a lathe, a drill press, a band saw and joiner for cutting big pieces such as the lid and sound board. Once the basic instrument is built, the decorative process begins. Chinoiserie is a traditional form of ornamentation for the harpsichord. He often customizes the Chinoiserie to reflect the special interests of the person who has commissioned him to build the instrument.