Phantasy Psalteries by Eric Meier


What is a Psaltery?

The "Phantasy" Difference

Psalteries for Sale

Find Your Own Psaltery

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Sound Clips

The Treasure Trove

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eric@phantasypsalteries.com


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Psalteries for Sale


(Last Updated: August 2nd, 2010)

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Sitka Spruce and Oregon Myrtle 30-String Bowed Psaltery

Forest Bowed Psaltery

Top view

Top: Quartersawn Sitka Spruce.

Back/Sides: Oregon Myrtle. (With inner Sitka Spruce linings.) 

Binding/Bridge: Walnut.

Note Markers: Inlaid Walnut dots for the Cs, Inlaid Myrtle dots for the Fs.

Stringing: Nickel-plated wound. (G3 to C6)

Weight: 2 lbs, 4.5 ounces (1,035 grams)

Forest Bowed Psaltery

Back view

Notes/Comments: Acoustically, Myrtle sounds very similar to Maple, so you can expect a tone that is very similar to a violin, yet with more sustain. And despite the relatively small surface area of the front soundhole (plus the area of the rear soundhole), there is still very good volume out of the top of the instrument.

For this psaltery, I used the very last of my Oregon Myrtle, which had primarily gone into making a premium custom psaltery and tuning wrench a while back. Yet there was still enough lumber to construct one final instrument, though not as figured as it's older brother

This instrument has a satin finish.

Price: $415

Item #: PS-61

Forest Bowed Psaltery

Rosette view

Forest Bowed Psaltery

Binding/Bridge view


Sitka Spruce and Curly Maple 30-String Bowed Psaltery

Bowed Psaltery

Top view

Top: Quartersawn Sitka Spruce.

Back/Sides: Curly Maple. (With inner Sitka Spruce linings.) 

Binding/Bridge: Purpleheart.

Note Markers: Amethyst cabochons for the Cs, Moonstone cabochons for the Fs.

Stringing: Nickel-plated wound. (G3 to C6)

Weight: 2 lbs, 9.4 ounces (1,174 grams)

Bowed Psaltery

Back view

Notes/Comments: More or less, this psaltery uses the same woods as that of a violin (spruce and maple), and the tone is accordingly similar - though with much more sustain.

For this model, I tried to have some fun, and came up with what I call a vortex rosette - you can probably see why from the pictures below. Also note the semi-precious gemstones used for the C and F note markers.

Price: $565

Item #: PS-59

Bowed Psaltery

Rosette/Note Markers view

Bowed Psaltery

Binding/Bridge view


Heartland

Douglas Fir and Curly White Oak 30-String Bowed Psaltery

Douglas Fir Bowed Psaltery

Top view

Top: Quartersawn Douglas Fir.

Back/Sides: Curly White Oak. (With inner Basswood linings.) 

Binding/Bridge: Lacewood.

Note Markers: Lacewood for the Cs, White Oak for the Fs.

Stringing: Nickel-plated wound. (G3 to C6)

Weight: 2 lbs, 12.0 ounces (1,247 grams)

Curly White Oak Bowed Psaltery

Back view

Notes/Comments: This psaltery is surprisingly resonant, with a deep, haunting tone. I say surprisingly because Oak is typically not as resonant as other, denser woods like Rosewood; expect good sustain and decent volume.

Visually, I've tried to give this psaltery an elegant, yet down-to-earth appeal. The satin finish is especially attractive on the Curly White Oak back, where the illusion of ripples in the wood beg to be touched. Also, on the front, the rosette and note markers are made of the same White Oak as the back, which helps tie everything together.

Price: sold

Item #: PS-58

Curly White Oak inlaid Rosette Bowed Psaltery

Rosette view

Lacewood and White Oak Bowed Psaltery Note Markers

Note Markers view


To place an order, copy the item # into the order form found on the shipping and ordering page.


All the psalteries listed above are ready-to-go and can be shipped out to nearly anywhere in the world. Each of these instruments has been hatched of my own imagination, and each one is unique. However, if none of the psalteries below match what you had in mind, in about six to eight weeks you can have a bowed psaltery custom-made—in many cases for not much more than the cost of one of my regular psalteries:

Looking for a special, one-of-a-kind Bowed Psaltery?

Consider a custom-made bowed psaltery; they're easy and fun to order, and you will get a psaltery that is exactly what you wanted! (Available options are listed on the Woods and Materials page.)


General information pertaining to all psalteries sold: Every psaltery is roughly the same size in length and width, (23" x 7 1/2"), with the height of the soundbox varying between 1 1/2 to 2 inches tall, excluding the tuning pins (which add roughly 1/2" to the total height).

Along with the actual bowed psaltery itself, each instrument also includes:

Bowed Psaltery Accessories
  • Owner's manual

  • 1/16 size violin bow (a 1/32, 1/8 or 1/4 size bow can be substituted upon request)

  • Bow rosin

  • Gooseneck tuning wrench

  • Replacement strings (x3)


For prices on shipping, and other information regarding the ordering process, please see the Shipping and Ordering section.


Copyright © 2010 Eric Meier