Spalted Maple Soprano Lyre

A modern take on a timeless instrument, the oldest, in fact. At least as far as stringed instruments go.

This instrument features:
⦁    Quartersawn White Oak body - Sapwood and Heartwood 
⦁    Quartersawn Spruce soundboard
⦁    Curly Maple tailpiece and bridge
⦁    Adjustable Scale length 

Listen to this instrument and read more about it below:

The lyre is a simple instrument. Typically it is tuned to a scale, meaning all strings are "in tune" with each other, similar to an open tuning on a guitar. This makes it perfect for mindless finger-picking and strumming without worrying about hitting a wrong note. There are no wrong notes on a lyre as long as it is in tune. It just sounds good. 

The lyre is played by holding the body with your off hand, and fingerpicking/strumming with your dominant. To play chords you use your non-dominant fingers to mute strings you don't want to sound out, while strumming with your other hand. Bends can be played by pushing down on a string behind the bridge, and the bridge can be moved up or down the top. Closer to tailpiece = punchier, brighter sound with faster attack and less volume, more towards center = more volume, more hollow sound with less attack, yet more sustain.    

While inspired heavily by various saxon and kravik lyres built throughout history, this design is built with a glued body, rather than the traditional hollowed board/plank.