 A bowed psaltery for every size and budget. TK O'Brien's instruments are handcrafted in the U.S. by skilled craftsmen. Bookmatching on the top enhances the look of the wood grain pattern.
Psaltery Specs
Wood choices for the soundboard vary at any given time and include walnut, sassafras, butternut, spruce, alder, and cherry. Wood samples are shown below. Wood for the back varies. For a walnut top, the back is always walnut. Other top woods may or may not have the same wood on the back but it will always be a complemetary wood. Pin blocks are hard maple for tuning pin stability. Bridge and side rails are walnut. The soundhole has an intricate Celtic Knot design. Black dots under the C notes are used for reference points. Built in U.S.
What's Included
We package each bowed psaltery with a walnut bow, rosin, spare wire, gooseneck tuning wrench, beginners instructional/song booklet TK O'Brien's Guide to Playing the Bowed Psaltery, note guide strips and a nice padded heavy duty nylon carrying case. 3 year warranty. |
Karin Lyle playing "Shady Grove"
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Karin Lyle playing "Greensleaves"
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Karin Lyle playing "Amazing Grace" |
The soprano 24 string is 18 inches long, 7 inches wide at the base and has a 1 1/2 inch soundbox. Weight approx. 2 1/4 lb. It's smaller size makes it ideal for children and small adults.
On the right side, the natural notes start at G (first G above middle C) and go up 2 octaves higher to G.
The top wood and usually the back wood is bookmatched. |
The soprano 30 string is 20 + inches long, 7 1/2 inches wide at the base and has a 1 1/2 inch soundbox. Weight approx. 2 3/4 lb
On the right side the natural notes start at F (first F above middle C) and go up 2+ octaves higher to A.
The top wood and usually the back wood is bookmatched. |
The baritone 30 string is 25 inches long, 9 inches wide at the base, and has a 2 inch soundbox. Weight approx. 4 1/4 lb
On the right side, the natural notes start at F (first F below middle C) and go up 2 octaves higher to A. This psaltery uses a combination of wound and plain steel ball end string.
The top and back wood is bookmatched. |
