In a previous post, I mentioned a bowed psaltery made of figured cherry and verawood that I was working on as a custom order.
Here’s the top of the psaltery so far. It’s Western Red Cedar with a curly white oak rosette and note markers made of walnut and white oak.
Here’s another custom psaltery I’m working on. The top is sitka spruce, with an inlaid chechen ring (the back/sides are also chechen) and a dragonfly rose inside the outer wood ring.
I tried to capture one of the ammonite shells that was inlaid in the side of the psaltery, but alas, the picture came out too dark! 
Hopefully I’ll get another picture in of this one: next time of the back, and I should be able to illuminate the sides a little better too! My shop certainly wasn’t made with photography opportunities in mind.
Here’s another custom psaltery that I’m working on. The back is a very handsome figured cherry, with Verawood binding.
Note that the Verawood is still rough-cut and hasn’t been sanded smooth and flush yet. Also, since it’s freshly cut, it’s a bit lighter in color, and should darken a bit with age.
Here’s a shot of a bowed psaltery that’s almost ready to have the finish applied.
The back and sides are made of figured Oregon Myrtle. It has a rear soundhole, herringbone centerstrip, and a tripod mount. The binding is Cocobolo with purfling (hard to see in the photo).
I just spent some time updating my badly outdated psaltery gallery. I organized it a little bit more into a few themes. One theme of interest is called “Ode to Cocobolo.”
Check it out for some ideas on your next bowed psaltery!
To the left is a Curly Spalted Hawaiian Mango soundboard for a custom-ordered psaltery.
It has an inlaid 8-lobe Padauk rose, with a Purpleheart rosette ring around the outside.
I love the color that this top will have. (And already does have.) It almost looks edible.
