Mechanical metronome Taktell in animal shapes, series 839 by Wittner. Wittner has been building metronomes in Isny since 1895.
- Clockwork mechanism, needs no mains power and no battery
- Stepless tempo setting along the scale
- Visible pendulum swing
Technical data
| Type | mechanical |
| Tempo setting | stepless along the scale |
| Country of manufacture | Germany |
Features
- Wittner in Isny, founded 1895, today a division of Gewa Music GmbH
In practice
- Wind it only just before use and do not leave it standing with the spring fully tensioned. That spares the mainspring.
- When hooking in the pendulum, set the slider to 208, otherwise the scale gets scratched.
- The mainspring mounting is designed so that you may wind up to the point where you feel it stop.
- A mechanical metronome is set steplessly along the scale and needs no battery. The maker states no accuracy figure in percent.
Versions
- Penguin, WIT-839011
- Cat, WIT-839021
- Owl, WIT-839031
Technology and use
Wittner's mechanical metronomes run on a clockwork movement wound by hand; they need neither battery nor mains power. The Maelzel system comes in the solid wood case of series 800/810 and in the plastic cases of series 800K/810K and 845/855. The Taktell range uses the same mechanical principle in its own case designs: Piccolo (series 830), Junior (820), Classic (829), Super-Mini (880, and 880.2 in solid wood), Piccolino (890) and the animal figures of series 839.
The Maelzel system comes with or without a bell, and Wittner makes all of these metronomes in Germany.
When another model suits you better
For practising with an earphone or with a purely visual beat we recommend the Taktell Quartz QM 2: it shows the beat by loudspeaker and LED or visually only, gives the reference pitch a1 at 440 Hz and comes with earphone and 9 volt battery.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mechanical Wittner metronome need a battery?
No, it runs on a clockwork movement that is wound by hand.
What is the difference between Maelzel and Taktell?
Both use a mechanical clockwork movement that you wind up. The Maelzel system comes in solid wood or plastic cases, Taktell in its own designs such as Piccolo, Junior, Classic, Super-Mini, Piccolino and the animal figures.
