Snakewood Binding

Figured Ash w/ Bloodwood stripe

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 sustain, a deep and full tone.”

Since I had plenty of supplies left over from the original, I was able to cut the soundboard, sides, and back from the very same boards as the original, making for a nearly identical sound.

The only modifications that I made were to the binding and bridge: I swapped out the original Bloodwood for Snakewood—which, if you were to calculate its cost out to board-feet, would be the most expensive wood in the world: about 100 times more expensive than oak!

Otherwise, the psaltery is as close to identical as can be. (Okay, I also added a Bloodwood backstrip, and Black Star Diopside note markers, but that really shouldn’t impact the sound in any way.) You can go take a look on the sale page.

Bocote (BK-23)

Cocobolo (BK-22)

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!

Besides the one pictured that I’m currently working on, I hope to have a set shortly available in the Treasure Trove as well. Or, if you’re interested, you can email me directly.

It feels a bit odd to begin making a bowed psaltery and then abruptly stop once it is just beginning to take shape, but the reason why I’ve done this is to reduce the time it takes to build a custom psaltery. As a result, the expected time listed for a custom ordered instrument is now four to six weeks.

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 is that it is completely non-toxic both in it’s cured, and uncured states. (That’s me dipping my bare finger into the oil in the upper left picture.) It’s even FDA approved for food contact surfaces.

But what I really like about this finish is that it soaks into the wood and really brings out the figure of the grain. Seen in the upper left picture is a curly Ash psaltery that just had a fresh application of the oil.

I’ve begun to offer this as a finish option for custom instruments. It has a very down-to-earth feel. The look and texture of the wood is completely preserved.

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 of this rare wood that was large enough to be made into a psaltery.

Actually, the board I found was large enough to be made into two psalteries. So if you were interested in a custom order, I have the second set available for use on a personalized psaltery in the Treasure Trove.

The “Phantasy” psaltery is currently listed on the Psalteries for Sale page.

Check out this video. His website is http://virgiltreeart.com/

One of the things from the video that I noticed was his finishes. We have a lot in common in that regard, because I love shellac too. Also, I use ten coats (which are subsequently buffed out) on all my instruments just like he uses on his vessels.

Well, that’s one thing we have in common…

One feature that stood out quite early was the actual shape of the psaltery;s body. It may come as a surprise to some that I struggled on this, going back and forth between a simple triangle (as the psaltery seen on A Psimple Psaltery), and the five-sided shape that I now use pretty much exclusively today. But back then, it wasn’t so clear.

Early drawing of a 3-sided model

Here’s one such drawing that I made back in 2006. It’s simple, but the fact that I went to this trouble at all shows that I was seriously considering the plan.

In retrospect, I’m glad that I’ve stuck with the design that I’m currently using.

I’m hoping that the new order form will be more user-friendly, as it now uses larger font, and is mostly visually oriented. I’ve tried to use less words, and more pictures—though there are still links to informational pages on the order form.

So if you were thinking about placing a custom order: don’t be shy!

Check it out for some ideas on your next bowed psaltery!

Phantasy Psalteries Bowed Psaltery Image Gallery