A modern take on a timeless ancient design- now with your custom designs!
Ornamental embellishments are carved directly into the Spruce soundboard, adding an extra level of uniqueness to your build. This is a new offering for 2025, and will require some conversation with Brandon John to find the best fit for each project. And as always, I will be transparent with my thoughts, and meeting clients visions in a realistic way. There may also be some technical limitations to consider with your design ideas, so please consider having a plan in place and reaching out before placing an order.
*************************************
The heart of this Saxon Lyre is made from hardwood species native to Pennsylvania. The acoustic resonating chamber is carved directly into the body of this instrument which helps to retain the strength and clarity these beautiful and sustainable hardwoods are known for.
The soundboard is made out of Master Grade Sitka Spruce. As a tonewood, Spruce is the standard of acoustic instrument soundboards. This wood is both strong and beautiful, generating a broad dynamic tonal range with clear articulation. On top of sounding beautiful from the beginning of its life, with time and playing, this spruce will open up to sound even better as it ages. This model showcases a darker stained top with unstained edges giving the effect of a natural binding.
The choice to use steel strings on this instrument was clear from the beginning. As with all other BJL Lyres, the steel strings used on these instruments offer tuning stability, volume, projection, clarity, and balance from note to note. The Maple Bridge adds striking beauty while resiliently transferring the energy of the strings into the soundboard.
String Orientation variations offer options for which way your lyre is strung from the workshop. High Left/Low Right is closer to a traditional harp layout and Low Left/High Right would mirror a guitar layout for a right-handed player. Please feel free to message me with any questions.
Finally, these lyres are sealed using a Shellac-based French Polish method with a sprayed top coat. This labor-intensive process applies many thin coats of shellac finish- which are allowed to dry, buffed down, and reapplied to build a thick protective layer. Shellac has a history over 3,000 years old, and this amazing finish is completely natural, non-toxic, durable, and beautiful. It's also easy to touch up in the event of a scratch.
Size: Approx 24" x 7.5"
6 String Tuning: EDCBAG
7 String Tuning eDCBAGE
8 String Tuning: edCBAGED
Plain steel and nickel wound strings
Can be used with either 432hz or 440hz tuning
Pennsylvania native hardwood body
Luthier Grade Engelmann Spruce soundboard
Dark Rustic Style stain applied to the soundboard
Shellac finish
Handmade felt protective sleeve included
Tuning wrench included
These lyres are handmade, with both hand and power tools, one at a time, and may show signs of the process.
The model pictured is a representation. Wood grain and color will vary from model to model. You can expect anything from a rich blonde yellow, pale pink and red, to a warm brown color.
Completely designed and handmade in the USA
REPLACEMENT STRING SETS: String set lists are available to confirmed customers through a simple Etsy message request to the shop. Strings are direct replacements, available from the same manufacturer I use, sold much less expensively than I can sell them.
**Operating a Made-To-Order shop was a decision I made early on which allows me as a sole operator to balance my process, my commitment to being a present family member, and my full-time plus day job. I appreciate the patience granted to me by my customers when placing an order for a build, and strive to always ship your build by the date listed, or sooner, with consistent high quality standards. It's rare these days, but I believe this is one time when something is worth the wait!**
***LYRE TUNING: Your build was set up and fully tuned, allowed to settle in, and retuned before shipping. You will need to retune it upon delivery as it was packaged firmly to prevent damage, traveled by land and air, and handled by countless people before arriving at your door. I personally use and recommend both the gStrings tuning app for smartphones, or a Snark Multi-Instrument clip on tuner.***
***PROCESSING TIMES: The processing times quoted are approximate and at times may be adjusted (shortened or extended) to streamline workshop flow and efficiency.
***LYRE STRING NOTES: Unlike imported lyres, all BJL lyres come with high-quality American made strings installed. These do not need to be replaced upon arrival for any reason, and should give you many, many hours of playing time without a change in tone. My personal lyres are all over five years old with original strings, and have never sounded better! In the event of a string break (usually due to over tightening), please reach out to me for replacement information.
**SHIPPING ADDRESS CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER ORDERS ARE FINALIZED. PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ADDRESS AT CHECKOUT BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER**
Style:
A modern take on a timeless ancient design- now with your custom designs!
Ornamental embellishments are carved directly into the Spruce soundboard, adding an extra level of uniqueness to your build. This is a new offering for 2025, and will require some conversation with Brandon John to find the best fit for each project. And as always, I will be transparent with my thoughts, and meeting clients visions in a realistic way. There may also be some technical limitations to consider with your design ideas, so please consider having a plan in place and reaching out before placing an order.
*************************************
The heart of this Saxon Lyre is made from hardwood species native to Pennsylvania. The acoustic resonating chamber is carved directly into the body of this instrument which helps to retain the strength and clarity these beautiful and sustainable hardwoods are known for.
The soundboard is made out of Master Grade Sitka Spruce. As a tonewood, Spruce is the standard of acoustic instrument soundboards. This wood is both strong and beautiful, generating a broad dynamic tonal range with clear articulation. On top of sounding beautiful from the beginning of its life, with time and playing, this spruce will open up to sound even better as it ages. This model showcases a darker stained top with unstained edges giving the effect of a natural binding.
The choice to use steel strings on this instrument was clear from the beginning. As with all other BJL Lyres, the steel strings used on these instruments offer tuning stability, volume, projection, clarity, and balance from note to note. The Maple Bridge adds striking beauty while resiliently transferring the energy of the strings into the soundboard.
String Orientation variations offer options for which way your lyre is strung from the workshop. High Left/Low Right is closer to a traditional harp layout and Low Left/High Right would mirror a guitar layout for a right-handed player. Please feel free to message me with any questions.
Finally, these lyres are sealed using a Shellac-based French Polish method with a sprayed top coat. This labor-intensive process applies many thin coats of shellac finish- which are allowed to dry, buffed down, and reapplied to build a thick protective layer. Shellac has a history over 3,000 years old, and this amazing finish is completely natural, non-toxic, durable, and beautiful. It's also easy to touch up in the event of a scratch.
Size: Approx 24" x 7.5"
6 String Tuning: EDCBAG
7 String Tuning eDCBAGE
8 String Tuning: edCBAGED
Plain steel and nickel wound strings
Can be used with either 432hz or 440hz tuning
Pennsylvania native hardwood body
Luthier Grade Engelmann Spruce soundboard
Dark Rustic Style stain applied to the soundboard
Shellac finish
Handmade felt protective sleeve included
Tuning wrench included
These lyres are handmade, with both hand and power tools, one at a time, and may show signs of the process.
The model pictured is a representation. Wood grain and color will vary from model to model. You can expect anything from a rich blonde yellow, pale pink and red, to a warm brown color.
Completely designed and handmade in the USA
REPLACEMENT STRING SETS: String set lists are available to confirmed customers through a simple Etsy message request to the shop. Strings are direct replacements, available from the same manufacturer I use, sold much less expensively than I can sell them.
**Operating a Made-To-Order shop was a decision I made early on which allows me as a sole operator to balance my process, my commitment to being a present family member, and my full-time plus day job. I appreciate the patience granted to me by my customers when placing an order for a build, and strive to always ship your build by the date listed, or sooner, with consistent high quality standards. It's rare these days, but I believe this is one time when something is worth the wait!**
***LYRE TUNING: Your build was set up and fully tuned, allowed to settle in, and retuned before shipping. You will need to retune it upon delivery as it was packaged firmly to prevent damage, traveled by land and air, and handled by countless people before arriving at your door. I personally use and recommend both the gStrings tuning app for smartphones, or a Snark Multi-Instrument clip on tuner.***
***PROCESSING TIMES: The processing times quoted are approximate and at times may be adjusted (shortened or extended) to streamline workshop flow and efficiency.
***LYRE STRING NOTES: Unlike imported lyres, all BJL lyres come with high-quality American made strings installed. These do not need to be replaced upon arrival for any reason, and should give you many, many hours of playing time without a change in tone. My personal lyres are all over five years old with original strings, and have never sounded better! In the event of a string break (usually due to over tightening), please reach out to me for replacement information.
**SHIPPING ADDRESS CANNOT BE CHANGED AFTER ORDERS ARE FINALIZED. PLEASE VERIFY YOUR ADDRESS AT CHECKOUT BEFORE PLACING AN ORDER**
