musical instruments for swap

freiman the minstrel · Sat Jun 22, 2002 4:02 am

Guys,

I am a pretty lousy armorer, but a pertty good musical instrument maker.

That's not entirely true. My leather armor is pretty good.

I have so far made dulcimers (mountain and hammered) and Now a single Saxon Lyre for a friend of mine, I will be making my own lyre as soon as this one is delivered, and tested. I am positive I can also make psaltrys, both plucked and bowed.

I am sick of wearing bad armor.

What I am looking for is decent armor. I would be very happy with mail. I would also be interested in good cloth. I would like a good gambeson, and a good arming cap.

I don't believe that you can buy a Saxon Lyre anywhere.

I can make more than one.

If you're interested.

freiman

[This message has been edited by freiman the minstrel (edited 06-22-2002).]

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 2:27 pm

I've passed this on to Calontir's list.

randy · Post by **randy** » Sat Jun 22, 2002 8:56 pm

Any ideas how I can find information on the fiddle, not a violin but a fiddle. ( there was a difference). My research showed that it was similar to the Gue used in Heberdies exept that it had three strings. All the info I can find says that it went out of style when the rebek was invented and every souce i can find about the Gue, says that it little resembles its ancestors now, and is more of a five string violin. I can find written account of festivals in the 10th century with referanc to people playing them but not to how they looked or sounded. I play modern fiddle ( a violin ) now and would like one.

freiman the minstrel · Sun Jun 23, 2002 2:21 am

Randy,

If you are asking for what I thaink you are asking for, then it is available in both finished and kit form from lark in the morning.

try
http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/Larknet/EarlyStrings

they run about seven hundred, and six hundred for the kit. I have never met a midieval fiddle in person, but I know that a carved Violin soundboard is a little beyond my current skill level.

If you do decide to buy the instrument, Especially the kit, I would love to have pictures, drawings or (if you order the kit) plans.

Syrus Leigh · Post by **Syrus Leigh** » Mon Jun 24, 2002 8:21 am

How much would a saxon lyre cost, without any trades?

freiman the minstrel · Mon Jun 24, 2002 9:08 am

Syrus,

I hadn't even thought about it. I am just simply sick of my armor, and I am looking for a way to improve my appearance without shelling out a ton of cash. If I can make the millions of bards a little more period in the process, that's all the better.

It is not reasonable to try to swap a musical performance for armor. While both are technically art forms, armor can be expected to lasy five hundred years with porper care. A song is gone the moment I am finished playing it. But an instrument, Well, that's something else. Besides, I have nothing else to swap.

The Guy who taught me about musicianship considered Basic Instrument Construction to be just another part of the job. I can see their point. Gundo can make his own tools. Why should I consider myself any better?

You can make a Saxon Lyre yourself pretty easily. There are construction notes in at least three or four places on the web. If you still want me to make you one, I can and will.

I should note, however, that the only extant ancient lyre I know of (the one from the Sutton Hoo Burial) is constructed a little differently than any I have ever seen a reinactor with. You can't tell without taking the instrument apart, but they are constructed differently. The Sutton Hoo lyre is fragmentary, so these construction details are easy to see.

When would you need delivery?

And how does a hundred bucks sound?

Baccus · Post by **Baccus** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 10:53 am

Just a note on Lark in the Morning in the Minstrel's earlier post. I had the pleasure of spending the last weekend in Mendocino, and stopped in at Lark in the Morning. This place is fantastic. Everything from tin-whistles to 36 string harps and hammered dulcimers. He let's you play with everything. He's even got bagpipes and ullian (sp) pipes you can play with. The quality of his intruments is superb, even his "kit" models.

------------------
William of Almaden

randy · Post by **randy** » Sat Jun 29, 2002 5:49 pm

Well, I am not looking forward to building one but I guess I will have to. I used to do a lot of voilin work and I have a guitar lutheir in the family so it should come out ok. I will try to make a plan or picture as it happens. give me a month or two.