(fl(1735-83). English harpsichord and piano makerof German origin. He emigrated to London after the Seven Years War and worked briefly for Shudi before setting up his own shop in 1761 (until 1783). Though he made a few harpsichords and guitars, he is best known for his square pianos. The earliest surviving one (1766) resembles a clavichord and exemplifies the ‘English single action’. Normally the soundboards are small and the scaling of the lower strings restricted; the hammers are light and the dynamic range not great. In 1768, on his own Zumpe square, J.C. Bach gave the first solo piano performance in England.

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