Where’s the Pirates Harpsichord?

[Captain Andy]

On the subject of theft, I saw this article and was reminded of this thread!

Ex-Disney Employee Who Stole $7,000 in Haunted Mansion Props Receives Sentence
https://insidethemagic.net/2020/02/h...-sentence-tm1/

How heavy is the harpischord again? lol

[Zael Vanor]

Could actually be missing but it also sounds like the theft conversation could have just been an attraction-specific joke that didn't land. Of course a maintenance worker "stole" it; it's a pirate ride, everything down there is "stolen."

I would like to see it back, though!

[Starcade]

I wonder if there was a spiel that was passed around about the harpsichord being stolen by marauders or thieves and over the days of people over hearing each other ( like the post office game as children ) while also being told it's out for maintenance it evolved into "Maintenance Stole It"

[Eagleman]

Still it take Disney , long time to replace it ............
How long has the harpsichord been missing ?

[Mr Wiggins]

If this is true, and I doubt it is, it's well known and recovered.

I doubt it as well. The CM who reported it to hbdad may have been repeating a rumor that was born of Attractions' frustration with Maintenance.

[Zorro]

So Buzzy is getting harpsichord lessons?

[hbdad]

ThIs seems like something that could easily be tracked down or at least the employee would be easily tracked down and brought up on charges. It would be like a member of the cleaning crew stealing a sculpture from museum, with all the cameras and records of who is where and when it seems like it would be quite to theist to steal this unless it was offsite and then stolen from offsite which also would means some heads would roll.

That's what I thought. Assuming the info is true, and I don't know why a CM would lie like that, wouldn't they be able to narrow down who took it and recover it? But obviously if someone did steal it, they must not have been able to recover it, at least not yet. In addition to the fact that I don't think a CM would come up with a lie like that, there appears to be no other reason for the long absence of the harpsichord. So theft, would seem the most likely and reasonable explanation.

[whoever]

ThIs seems like something that could easily be tracked down or at least the employee would be easily tracked down and brought up on charges. It would be like a member of the cleaning crew stealing a sculpture from museum, with all the cameras and records of who is where and when it seems like it would be quite to theist to steal this unless it was offsite and then stolen from offsite which also would means some heads would roll.

If this is true, and I doubt it is, it's well known and recovered.

[Starcade]

I was told by a POTC CM today the harpsichord was stolen by a maintenance employee. Maybe Westsider can confirm.

ThIs seems like something that could easily be tracked down or at least the employee would be easily tracked down and brought up on charges. It would be like a member of the cleaning crew stealing a sculpture from museum, with all the cameras and records of who is where and when it seems like it would be quite to theist to steal this unless it was offsite and then stolen from offsite which also would means some heads would roll.

[DisneySpaceAce]

Today I learned the thing I just called a piano for almost 40 years is a harpsichord lol

[SkunkID]

It's a rather strange coincidence that the prop that comes and goes frequently gets stolen. But I suppose it being moved around so much means it could disappear for a time without too many people really wondering

[hbdad]

I was told by a POTC CM today the harpsichord was stolen by a maintenance employee. Maybe Westsider can confirm.

[Eagleman]

Well
I learning something new................

sparkplug lights

[micromind]

I noticed this on our last visit!
It's hard to track them but it sure seems to be the correct firing order!
1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2
I love noticing these types of details

Me too!!

[micromind]

Is the model you're talking about the patio section infront if the cafe itself? Last I saw the area at night, around October, the patio's sparkplug lights and chamber order still goes in the correct order.

That's it!

[CHL2T]

Is the model you're talking about the patio section infront if the cafe itself? Last I saw the area at night, around October, the patio's sparkplug lights and chamber order still goes in the correct order.

I noticed this on our last visit!
It's hard to track them but it sure seems to be the correct firing order!
1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2
I love noticing these types of details

[SkunkID]

I doubt it needs to be "tuned." The sound comes from the soundtrack, not the instrument itself.

I also doubt that the keyboard motion was ever correct.

Finally, I've been told the instrument is actually a clavichord--not a harpsichord.

Tuning in this sense referring to the components inside that allow it to move like a player piano, not legitimately playing as the sound the coming from it isn't what the keys are playing, as others have suggested. Just used to a multi usage term.

[Right Down Broadway]

What I've always wondered is, what about the harpsichord makes it so likely to break or need to be removed. Is there some access point behind or under it so it disappears where there's alot of maintenance and tuning going on?

I doubt it needs to be "tuned." The sound comes from the soundtrack, not the instrument itself.

I also doubt that the keyboard motion was ever correct.

Finally, I've been told the instrument is actually a clavichord--not a harpsichord.

[SkunkID]

I wouldn't be surprised if it did play the right notes, here's why;

I don't know if it's still there or not but there used to be a model of a basic V-8 car engine from the 70s in Flo's Cafe in DCA. It had lights that simulated the spark plugs and in every engine, the spark plugs absolutely must fire in the correct order or the engine will not run. They got the firing order correct!

Occasionally, Disney can really pay attention to small details that very few people would notice and the harpsichord was made in an era when they paid a lot of attention to stuff like this.

Is the model you're talking about the patio section infront if the cafe itself? Last I saw the area at night, around October, the patio's sparkplug lights and chamber order still goes in the correct order.

[micromind]

I think what might be happening is they are making a new version of the Harpsichord and need to the previous model to replicate and motion map the new one. I always wondered if the original was playing the right keys? I do not play piano or harpsichord so I never knew and I wonder if they are doing a new one would they make sure to match it correctly so those in the the know would appreciate it.

I wouldn't be surprised if it did play the right notes, here's why;

I don't know if it's still there or not but there used to be a model of a basic V-8 car engine from the 70s in Flo's Cafe in DCA. It had lights that simulated the spark plugs and in every engine, the spark plugs absolutely must fire in the correct order or the engine will not run. They got the firing order correct!

Occasionally, Disney can really pay attention to small details that very few people would notice and the harpsichord was made in an era when they paid a lot of attention to stuff like this.