Due to the positive response that came with the original “Safari” psaltery that I made about a month ago, I decided to make a replica. In case you’re wondering, the original psaltery was #PS-60, about which I raved: “easily in the all-time top five, maybe even the top three. This psaltery has excellent volume and [...]
Author Archives: Eric
New Bocote and Cocobolo Sets Listed
October 6, 2009 – 11:43 am
I just listed a few new back/side sets in the Treasure Trove. If you were looking at doing a special-order psaltery, then these may be just the ticket!
Brilliant Bocote!
September 11, 2009 – 4:27 pm
After keeping my eyes open for quite a while, I was finally able to get my hands on some really nice Bocote locally. Currently my favorite exotic hardwood is Cocobolo, but with pieces like the one pictured here, Bocote is certainly giving Cocobolo a run for its money! I love the symmetric figuring that emerges [...]
Faster Turnaround Times
September 4, 2009 – 12:36 pm
I’ve recently begun a new system where I have the frames for custom ordered psalteries already pre-built. You can see a few of the finished frames from the treasure trove in the picture above. (You can also spy out the completed edge sander that I was building in a previous post.) It feels a bit [...]
A New Oil Finish
August 29, 2009 – 7:26 pm
Here’s a new finish that I’m trying: it’s called Tried and True Oil, and I’m using the Varnish Oil blend. It Linseed-Oil based, and so far I’m pleased with the results. (Note, I still use Shellac as my standard finish, unless otherwise noted on any given instrument.) One of the best things about this finish [...]
Mahogany and Cherry Psaltery
August 7, 2009 – 7:00 pm
Here are a pair of pictures of another finished custom psaltery. As the title explains, it has a Honduran Mahogany top, and a Cherry back and sides. I posted about this psaltery earlier, and this is the finished product. It’s been a great while since I’ve done a Cherry back/side in gloss, and I really [...]
DIY Edge Sander
July 30, 2009 – 5:35 pm
My latest project isn’t quite a bowed psaltery, but it’s rather an edge sander… which will help me make more psalteries. Below are some pictures of the progress so far. All this is via plans from PlansNow.com. So far, I’d highly recommend buying these plans: everything seems to be solid and well-designed.
Custom T-Handle Tuning Wrench
July 30, 2009 – 5:08 pm
Above are two pictures of a custom T-handle tuning wrench that I’m working on. The body is made of Chechen, with narrow bands of Cocobolo on each side, and endcaps made of Olive. You may also notice that the 3/8″ hole for the shaft is offset for an asymmetrical wrench. Upon closer look at the [...]
Cedar and Mahogany Psaltery
July 24, 2009 – 12:37 pm
Here’s two pictures of a custom psaltery that I’ve just completed. Check out the curly Honduran Mahogany on the back: very nice. It sounds nice as well. This is the finished product of the psaltery that I mentioned in an earlier post.
Vortex Rosette
July 16, 2009 – 5:58 pm
Pictured above/left is my latest creation for rosette designs. I’ll have to give God the credit for this one: I was just sitting in bed one morning, and literally out of the blue an idea hit me for a new rosette design. I thought, “wow, that would probably work out great!” Thank you, Lord. Anyhow, [...]
2009 Phantasy Psaltery
July 10, 2009 – 4:17 pm
As I mentioned in an earlier post, once a year I try to make an extra-fancy psaltery that I term a “phantasy” psaltery. The pictures above show the finished product for 2009. Some points of interest would include the Star-of-David rosette, and also the Macassar Ebony back/sides. I was fortunate enough to find a piece [...]
Katannya’s Psaltery
July 9, 2009 – 5:06 pm
To the left is a custom psaltery that I’m currently working on. Upon closer look, you can see all of the details of the grain on the Honduran Mahogany top. There’s also an inlaid 10mm banding as the rosette, and inlaid Paua and MOP dots for the C and F note markers. The binding is [...]
Kristin’s Psaltery
July 3, 2009 – 12:34 pm
To the left is a custom psaltery that I’m working on. Beneath the Western Red Cedar top you can peer through and get a look at the curly Honduran Mahogany back, and maybe make out the label that is burnt into the inside: Eric Meier July 2009 #56
A Three Octave Completed
July 2, 2009 – 6:55 pm
I’ve finally competed the 3 octave bowed psaltery. It’s nearly three feet long, almost a foot wide, and 3 inches tall. It’s quite a bit larger than my regular 2 1/2 octave psalteries. But, it can play notes a full octave lower than the standard model: down to G2! You can take a listen in [...]