Gräbner (harpsichord makers)
The Gräbner family were German harpsichord-, clavichord-, organ- and eventually piano makers from the 17th century to the beginning of the 19th century. They are best known for their harpsichords, which represent a mid-german style of building, distinct from the better known northern style as represented by Hass, Mietke and Zell. The Gräbner family ran the most prominent instrument making workshop in Dresden, and were purveyors of harpsichords and organs to the court of Saxony. J.S. Bach was aquatinted with members of the Gräbner family and Christian Heinrich Gräbner studied organ playing under Bach. Surviving instruments . There are four surviving harpsichords bearing the name of Gräbner, as well as a handful of clavichords. The harpsichords are all double manual instruments, 2x8' , 1x4', shove coupler and buff stop. All have a mitred tail, as opposed to a rounded one favoured by builders in Berlin and Hamburg. They all have an unusual non-pythagorean scale that is longer in the tenor than it is in the treble. Noteworthy members of the family. The following family members were known instrument makers or players: Johann Christoph Gräbner (unknown), builder of organs and harpsichords.