Welcome to the Kravik lyre section of my website, scroll down for pricing, pictures, videos and information.
The Norwegian Kravik Lyre (or Kraviklyra) has been popularised by makers such as Sverre H
The original instrument was believed to date to the 14th Century but was carbon dated to the 16th, even still it represents the late continuation of the plucked lyre in Northern Europe possibly at the end of the plucked lyre use locally before finally giving way to
Originally carved of pine wood the original had been hanging in a farmhouse in Numedal Norway. The Kravik Lyre was restored a couple of times as the peg section had split off, first as an
Pine lyre bridges from the right time period in N
Front fitting Pegs or reverse fitted pegs?
Sverre Heimdal worked this out first and others have also found they can get a greater break angle over the strings by running the strings to the back of the instrument, fitted the other way they are parallel to the soundboard and there is less break angle, My Instinct on this is while reverse fitting the strings works well I feel the pegs fitted from behind with the strings in front is still a possibility, given the way other similar instruments are set up, other lyres, Jouhikos for example, The forward bending arms are also similar to a Welsh Crwth which also has strings that are parallel to the soundboard. See the video samples below to see the differences. The majority of these lyres have the pegs fitted in reverse and its my preference too. ( If you are making your own Lyre note this doesn't work well at all if your lyre is built flat!)
I am
offering either options, videos showing both on my Youtube. (Note: Most players are opting for Sverre Heimdal's style reverse fitting pegs)
Keeping as close to the original, but built a little stronger and less likely to crack, making them from two sections of pine with the grain as the original but then a quartersawn piece for the head is dovetailed into the body., hollowed out as one with a German spruce Soundboard and Cherry or Plum wood pegs(Ebony pegs now available as well). These lyre are carved out buy hand with bowl carving gouges, spoon carving tools and whittled with knives. Finished to an antique brown colour. the decoration is simple rustic chip carving and
Prices 2024-25:
£POA (My wait time is at least 12-18 months at the moment)
shipping costs for the Kravik Lyre depending on location, I hand build the Kravik Lyres and the made to measure cases, usually takes 6 weeks of work in total including building a handmade case to fit, more time is needed if the hardwood options, from 2025 I will be building 4 a year at the very most, waiting times will vary depending on my order book backlog, usually booked up well in advance, message me through Etsy or email me for more information,
The instrument comes in a simple handmade pine and plywood
Strings are Fluorocarbon as standard (sold on my etsy shop) Great trouble free strings that last years. I am also happy to fit Aquila Nylgut or all Gut Strings and tailpieces as an additional extra. I use gamut Lute strings on these currently. Instruments come with a fitted hard case in pine and plywood, usually painted antique black and lined with chenille or a crushed velvet fabric.
Do check out my cheaper "viking" lyre 7 string option with the Kravik lyre stringing for playing the same repertoire.
from mid 2025 I will be building these in small batches a few times a year then making these available on
Lyre Shop
Also see my standard 7 STRING VIKING MODELS on Etsy, usually available on 6-9 months waiting time by keeping down the options and materials, Also available accessories and supplies for these instruments,
Videos
Kravik Lyre (Spruce top/Tulipwood body)
Kravik Lyre introduction Tuning of A c d e f g a
Kravik Lyre Chords: playing the Lyre
Reverse attached tuning pegs example
Selection of Kravik Lyre tunings with examples
Tuning of A c d e f g
Lyre Mediation for 7 string Lyre
Helvegen
Volupsa
Tha mi sgith - Nordic Lyre, Celtic Harp & Welsh Crwth
Chord chart for this piece(with thanks to Jean-Luc
A B c d e f# g Tuning with Maj-Lis Bogstrand Mogen
G Bb c d eb f# g Tuning with LEIF
G Bb c d eb f Tuning
Valgaldr - Háleygir (Lyre)
Gut Strung Kravik Lyre:
I currently build these by double dovetailing the arms/head section, this is so
use one piece of S
Currently only carving out of softwood like the original. may consider hardwoods in the future.
If you are interested in making your own, Kravik lyre plans are included on my Lyre Making DVD and are also available as a download.
Plans are to be found on my Lyre making DVD-ROM here:
PDF digital plans also available as a direct download here:
I will add more information as
