Bowed Psalteries

The instrument is tuned with zither pins and a tuning wrench. Included with your psaltery are a 17" long horsehair bow, a tuning wrench, rosin, extra strings, and an owner's manual.  I am now offering a smaller lighter 15” bow which is more suitable for double bowing technique and tighter string spacing.

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There are markers embedded in the instrument for the Cs and for the Gs to help you find your way. Left hand instruments are available at no extra charge but must be ordered as I don’t usually  have them on hand. In a left handed instrument the white keys of the psaltery are on the left side of the instrument, black keys on the right.

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My instruments are constructed entirely of solid wood; no plywood. The soundboards of choice are thin quarter-sawn tone woods such as Spruce, Redwood or Cedar. These woods give the instrument a warmer more mellow sound. The backs are equally thin making my instruments quite responsive. Hardwoods can be used for soundboards but it will make the instrument brighter. The pin blocks are of hard Maple and joinery between frame and pin block is such that they will never come apart.

 

Five Different Sizes:

The new models of bowed psalteries described below have all wound strings and have different tonal qualities than my earlier models.  If you still would like my earlier Alto model,  just let me know that is what you’d prefer.  My earlier Alto had 1” string spacing and all steel strings. You can still order my Vintage Alto but I have discontinued my Soprano model.

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• My new Altos have the range of 2 1/2 octaves going from C6 to G3 (30 strings).  I offer this model with two string spacings 3/4” and 7/8”. There is additional gradually increasing space between the pins on the lower notes. The size of the 3/4” is 22 1/2” X 8” X 2 3/4”; the 7/8” is 24” X 9” X 2 3/4”  Either size has a weight of approximately 3 lbs depending on the wood. This size psaltery is quite comfortable to play given your average arm length. Because of its compact size, full sound and 2 1/2  octave range, these are my most popular models.  Another advantage is the tuning of C6 - G3 as it gives you more bass notes instead of less used high pitches. If you are purchasing the instrument for a young child, I recommend the Alto with 3/4” string spacing because of its smaller size and lightness.  
   

• My Baritones are my largest Bowed Psalteries with a range of 3 octaves going from C6-C3 (37 strings). I now offer this psaltery with either 3/4” or 7/8" string spacing. As with the Alto there is additional space between the pins on the lower notes.  The dimensions are 27" X 10” X 3” for the 3/4” string spacing and 30" X 11" X 3" for the 7/8"spacing.  Weight for either is about 4 lbs.  If you want those lower tones, the Baritone is the one to get but be aware of its increased size and weight. If you aspire to use two bows to play your psaltery, either the 3/4” or 7/8” string spacing will work but I recommend my smaller 15” bows.   I currently only build Baritones to order.
   

• My Vintage Altos have the range of 2 1/2 octaves going from G6-C4 (32 strings) which is different from my new Altos which go lower from C6 to G3 (30 strings).  The Vintage Alto has 1" string spacing even throughout.  It is about the same size as my new Alto with the 7/8" string spacing but instead of wound strings it has three sizes of steel strings which gives it a more ethereal quality.  You can hear what a Vintage Alto sounds like by watching the Introduction to the Bowed Psaltery video shown above. The actual size is 26" x 9 1/2" x 3" weighing approximately 3 lbs. This size psaltery is quite comfortable to play given your average arm length and to date it is by far my most popular model. 

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