For my first non-guitar instrument commission, I was asked to replicate a Trossingen Lyre. The Anglo-Saxon instrument was first found in Trossingen Germany; little is known about this perticular instrument. Seeing that there is only one true Trossingen Lyre in existance, our knowledge about it is limited. Therefore, in short, I had some wiggle room.

 

     I made the body out of Mahogany, although this is not the original wood used. The specs are all accurate, and the Mahogangy does give it a nice, warm tone.

 

     The front and back of the instrument are black walnut, giving it a sort of 'new age' look.  I was commissioned to make this as a gift; the buyer had brought to my attention that the Lyre would be flown to Colorado. This meant that I had to take into account the humidity changes, as well as the temperature changes. It was my first build where I had a pre-determined humidity and temperature that I had to make the instrument to be tailored to.  It is a fun and quirky instrument that I very much enjoyed making, and was happy to have the opportunity to work with something so unique.