Viking / Standard 7 string Lyres
These 7 String Lyres are a Hybrid lyre creation of mine with Kravik Lyre scale length, string spacing and tuning combined with my Viking Lyre design, 7th-10th Century flat back model lyre which was the common form. Lyres from this early period were 6 string instruments usually, expanding the range even by one string creates a versatile instrument musically without retuning that can play melodically with both hands making use of the wider string spacing at the bridge as well as sounding great playing like a harp as well as the usual block and chord strumming.
Hollowed from a solid plank of maple construction are my standard option with a choice of soundboards from traditional maple, this is the loudest option and has the best projection for the Mead hall. Maple is a bright sounding instrument but matures over time to a full sound.
Spruce and Cedar top are also an option. Cedar is very dark and warm sounding, mature from day one and needs little playing in but a softer wood,
Torrified Spruce is another option to give a more played-in sound sooner, brighter with more nuance than Cedar, harder than cedar.
Student model instruments when available are hollowed from Aspen or poplar or by assembling pieces hand bent from solid wood and glued in a mould.
Plans are available with lots of useful information if you wish to build your own one of these, see my download page or the video here:
For a warmer sound and natural dark hardwoods can make custom models in Walnut and Cedar, Poplar wood or Spruce and Cedar can also provide a warmer tone with my Kravik Lyre set of strings. Maple and oak is a more standard option available as well for a bright sound. other woods on request, see my etsy shop for latest options.
I am offering these Lyres in three models, 7 String Standard model, 7 string Travel lyre and the original "Viking" model with 6 strings.(see below)
Strings on these 7 string models are my Kravik Lyre Fluorocarbon set I sell on Etsy, Aquila Nylgut and Real gut are available also as an option on these.
Prices will vary between £1550 -£2000 for the 7 string Maple body model, please email me for details of other options. These come with a handmade recycled pine case. aiming to have lyres for sale or in stock from mid 2023 onwards, email me for more information
Music for 7 String Lyre
Sheet music available
Cedar Top and maple body
7 String lyre Demo in its case(Torrefied Spruce top, maple body)
Torrified Spruce top
6 String Viking Model
Inspired by the Lyres found at Ribe and Hedeby, this small lyre has the 6 strings with gut string,
back mounted tuning pegs with slots rather than holes
wooden pegs,
Travel Lyre:
This lyre was created for practising on the go, whether a hotel room, aeroplane, being under 500mm it fits in Rylan air carry on luggage. The scale length is shorter so needs Ukulele strings to sound at Kravik Lyre pitch A C D E F G A tuning. A low A string really helps, Smaller, quieter with less depth of sound than the standard model but rugged and useful. I have made two videos with these:
Example of older travel lyre that was 21" long and had standard strings
Meditation using the Viking Travel Lyre fitted with standard Kravik Lyre Strings in Fluorocarbon as sold on my shop
Sound sample of the travel lyre fitted with optional Aquila Nylgut Strings and a Wound Low A String
Sheet music of my 7 String Lyre tune"Lyre Meditation no.1) available in print on Amazon
Please feel free to email if you have any questions about these.