Tenor

Ringing Strings Bowed Psalteries

handcrafted by Rick Long

Clinton, Tennessee

(865) 660-4026 ricklong@ringingstrings.com

Photo by Robert Batey

Please use the word psaltery in the subject of your e-mail.

I am pleased to introduce you to the newest member of the Ringing Strings family. This is a two and one half octave tenor bowed psaltery.

The range of notes start at "G" below middle "C" or G3 and go up to "C" two octave above middle "C" or C6

The 30 strings are all phosphor bronze wound acoustic guitar strings. This psaltery packs a lot of punch in volume and great tone for its size.

It is 20 1/2" long, 7" wide, and 1 1/2" thick.

The bows now have a new synthetic bow hair that I have tried and like very much. It is white and really compares to horsehair in playing qualities. It is more coarse than the synthetic hair I use for the soprano psalteries and works great with these wound strings.

I've been working on this design for a couple of years now and have built several in this size continuing to tweak and develop the tenor into a psaltery I can be proud to offer.

There is also the option to buy a tripod plate attachment and an extra bow for $50 extra. Here's a tune played on the stand with the second verse double bowed, the first a last verses are played using a single bow - Shule Aroon

This is "We Gather Together". It is also double bowed and the first time I've played it on a tenor. You'll notice me struggling with some of the harmony notes here and there trying to learn what sounds the best for this song. I am playing the melody using my right hand and the harmony notes with my left.

The plate attachment you see below is the prototype in baltic birch plywood, yours would be out of the same wood as the back of your psaltery. For the bows to match exactly it is a good idea to order with your psaltery as my bows are handmade and will vary for bow to bow. If I make two at the same time I can saw them and bookmatch the pieces so the color and size will match.

Here's a few more examples of playing styles and sounds you can get out of one of these tenor psalteries -

Tune played wavering the volume using my index and middle fingers to cover and uncover the back soundhole

This is "The Parting Glass" it has a faster tempo than some of the other tunes I've been playing.

Baritone, Soprano, and Tenor Bowed Psalteries to compare the different sizes.

I can build you a tripod plate attachment to hold the psaltery for double bowing. The plate holds the psaltery secure and has pads on the outside edge to keep the back of the psaltery from touching the plate. This is so that you will have no decrease in volume. The price is $50 and includes a second bow, the camera tripod is not included. If you order the attachment with your psaltery I can match the second bow to the one that is included with your psaltery. Here's a tune I played just utilizing the two bow method.

One bow in each hand.

This quilted maple top and walnut back tenor bowed psaltery is available now. The sun design is a pyrographic engraving.

The price is $600

Item - TEQMWA03

Prices include -

bow, rosin, extra strings, tuning chart, instructional dvd, and a nice padded case

Home Soprano Tenor Baritone Accessories Recordings How to Order

How to Play The Workshop Events FAQ Songs to Learn Private Lessons

5-31-08

There are soundclips of each psaltery for

you to listen to and compare.

These are a very different sounding bowed psaltery with very full, rich voices. Much different from any others I have heard. These are proving to be my favorites as I am reaching for one of them to play most of the time at the demos and craft fairs I do. I love the great range in volume that allows me to be so expressive when playing the songs I love.

Click on photos to enlarge

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This quartersawn spruce top and maple back tenor bowed psaltery is available now. Surrounding the soundholes are hand carved radial designs.

The price is $500

Item - TESPMA03

Prices include -

bow, rosin, extra strings, tuning chart, instructional dvd, and a nice padded case

Click on photos to enlarge

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This curly redwood top and figured cherry back tenor bowed psaltery is available now. Surrounding the soundholes are hand carved radial designs.

The price is $550

Item - TECRCH03

Prices include -

bow, rosin, extra strings, tuning chart, instructional dvd, and a nice padded case

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Click on photos to enlarge

Here's a few tunes played on one of the tenor psalteries -

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Scarborough Fair O Come, O Come Emanuel

This spalted buckeye top and ambrosia maple back tenor bowed psaltery is available now. Surrounding the soundholes are hand carved radial designs.

The price is $550

Item - TEBUMA02

Prices include -

bow, rosin, extra strings, tuning chart, instructional dvd, and a nice padded case

Click on photo to enlarge

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