David Jacques Way

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David Jacques Way (1918 - February 1994) was an American harpsichord, clavichord and fortepiano maker.

He began his career as a fine-arts printer and later became a musicologist. He was the publisher of Wolfgang Zuckermann's book The Modern Harpsichord, and had built one of his kits. He bought Zuckermann Harpsichords in 1969 and transferred it from New York to Stonington, Connecticut, producing new designs which are still sold by the company today as kits.

He did not try to make exact copies of old instruments but rather learn from historical makers:

“

We have not made any 'exact copies' of particular old instruments--that seems to us to be a blind alley that leads to 'fake antiques', worthless imitations. [...] We cannot find that any of the old masters ever copied anyone, not even themselves. They did, however, learn from one another, and take everything of value they could make their own--and by making it their own they paid all debts. [...] We would rather copy the very central idea of all honest builders, ancient and modern: Using the materials available and all the knowledge and sensitivity and research and awareness we can muster, make musical instruments for the sound and action of which we take complete responsibility.

”

As a master instrument-maker, he was always perfecting his craft and focused on the sound of his instruments:

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There are no 'secrets' to the making of a fine instrument, but there are degrees of understanding. [...] You must understand the music, the tradition you are working in, the materials, and you must be able to hear and remember instrumental sound, to think in terms of sound the way a composer thinks about harmony and counterpoint. [...] You need intimate contact with the finest professional musicians (without maximum drivers to test the machine, you cannot make a maximum machine). You need access to the finest materials--you cannot make a fine instrument from lumber you buy in the local lumber yard, nor with wire you buy from the hardware store. You must make enough instruments so that you can compare, learn and remember; one person working all by himself cannot learn this trade in one lifetime.

”

His instruments are played by Trevor Pinnock (who has said of his instrument "it is modelled somewhat after Hemsch, but the sound is completely David Way") and many other leading harpsichordists. Harpsichord makers who he taught include Carey Beebe and Marc Ducornet.

His harpsichords are signed D. Jacques Way · Stonington · Connecticut.

He died of a heart attack, according to his wife, Katherine.