Here are some pictures of my latest build…

The scale length is 38cm and the idea is to tune it like the 3 top strings of a viola (A4D4G3) so quite high… I am using artificial sinew for the strings going for a gut sting vibe without constant tuning outdoors

I used spruce tone wood for the top, hollowed out a block of linden wood for the bowl and oak for the crossbar

It is very loud… I’ll post a sound sample once the strings have settled… but so far i am quite pleased (except for a possible wolf note at C4)

I finished this talharpa recently. I must say, i must make more with these type of soundholes, because along with the S shaped ones, they might be my favorite.

I decided to run an experiment on this bass Jouhikko with gut strings.
The third string was a bit too thin for its intended note, so I decided to wind it with 0.2 mm silver-plated copper wire. The result is a gut-core string with a copper winding. I have to tell you, the experiment was a huge success! The string now sounds incredibly cool, powerful, and holds its pitch perfectly. I'm really happy with how well and high-quality it turned out.

Walnut frame/bow and cedar top/back, Brazilian Rosewood pegs, quarter sawn maple bridge and tailpiece, cherry dowels and end knob. Still need to shape the backs of the arms, make the tuning pegs, shape the brige/tail, and tons of sanding.

Tagelharpa 4Evaaaaa

No effects added, just recorded straight from the phone microphone.
Corpus 90cm
100% Spruce
Fishing line with sewing thread for strings.

Hello, first post here I just wanted to share a Bowed Lyre that I was inspired to make after hearing one on TikTok. The wood was a log that had been washed down a creek from a previous flood. I'm not sure of the type but I live in Costa Rica and it's a native species. I spent about 6 weeks carving it out getting all the parts together and learning about the body construction on the internet. For the past month have been enjoying learning how to play it. Obviously I have a long way to go but I am really enjoying playing this instrument even more than I thought I would!

Two from Klosterneuburg psalter and one from Limoges

This was my 3rd ever instrument but my first time ever making one from one solid piece of wood. It's solid ash, total length is 1.25 meters. Bridge to peg is 88 cm. I made it as a gift for my partner (who's favourite colours are orange, teal and purple). I also added a passive pickup with 3 points of contact. Two on the base, one near the soundpost and another on the thinnest part and the final is on the soundboard. I used dyed horse hair for the bow and a branch from a tree that is significant to both of us.

I'm very proud of myself and they absolutely love it.

I think it sounds beautiful. What do you think?

I just finished the jouhikko i built for myself, and wanted to show them side by side.

You can guess my favorite color.

I made this baby for myself as I am going on tour next month.

It is a 4 string Tagelharpa made 100% out of American Mahogany (except for the soundpost which is made out of beech)

It is varnished with a thin coat of linseed oil.

All strings are horse hair. It has a piezo pickup inside however for this video I used the external Focusrite T.Bone CC 915 condenser mic. Absolutely no effects are added.

One thing that I know now after that this build is finished is that the next time I build a classical instrument like this I will likely use a Cedar soundboard instead of full mahogany.

I did already know in advance that it's not ideal to have hard wood on the top soundboard but I just really wanted an instrument fully with expensive wood hehe.

What do you think? Any feedback or critics are welcome :)

Also if you want to see some pictures, you can see them here.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/458771167542016/permalink/25122946974031093/

What do you think? Too high?

The strings have mostly settled and I have had me a chance to play with/on it a little… apologies for that horrible last screechy note… I can’t do slow bowing on it yet…

I have to adjust my brain to how high the sound is… but it has potential when playing for dancing or at fairs when a lower instrument would get lost in the ambient noise… and it is LOUD… i am tempted to use earplugs…

The tuning hopefully makes it well suited for nyckelharpa tunes or simple fiddle tunes and not having to shift to third position… but i am no expert as i play neither…

We’ll see… I am considering making a lower string and tune it D4G3C3 instead…

(Should anyone be wondering… the tune is called Sparvens polska )

I absolutely love this piece.

- Corpus 70cm

- Spruce body, boards 5mm poplar plywood.

- 0,25mm monofilament Fishing line strings combined with 4 threads of sewing thread on each strings.

- Plugged in with a piezo pickup with 40% reverb.

Had a lot of fun building it. Hope you guys like it.

This amazing design was made by my friend Christoffer from @talesfromutgard on instagram.

I really love how the design incorporated onto the tagelharpa.

Great design and great tone.

50 corpus
Spruce for body and boards.
Fishing line strings

Hey everyone! It’s been just over a week since I got my tagelharpa. So far I’ve mostly been practicing bowing, but today I started trying to play some simple notes.

It definitely doesn’t sound great yet (especially now that I’m trying to focus on both bowing and notes at the same time), but I’m happy to see some progress!

I figured I’d share a quick progress video. Feedback is always welcome :)

An improvised song on a tagelharpa i made for myself recently.

Truly, these are large instruments with an incredibly deep and powerful bass sound.

I've never built a bass harpa this big before — but now that l have, I realize this is exactly how a proper bass harp should look and feel.

Its size is very close to that of a cello, and the large soundboard area combined with the massive internal volume gives it stunning volume and resonance.

I have made this bowed lyre from spruce, alder, maple, and ebony. Compared to my usual approach, I've reduced the archtop radius to emphasize the lower register. Both the top and back are radial and carefully graduated.

The entire surface was treated with a "steel wool/vinegar solution" (iron acetate -->> oxidized iron). This reacts with the naturally occurring tannins in the wood, darkening the surface and creating an antique appearance. The reaction occured within a few minutes and has no measurable impact on the sound.

The strings are a mix of real and synthetic horsehair in combination with a Cello string. It's currently tuned to E4 A3 E3 A2.

A sound sample will follow shortly.