Ringing Strings
Bowed
Psalteries
handcrafted by
Rick Long
Clinton, Tennessee
(865) 660-4026
ricklong@ringingstrings.com
Please use the word "psaltery" in the subject of your e-mail. Also include a phone number as a second way for me to contact you.
WELCOME
Here in our little corner of the "web" you will find -
- Handcrafted Bowed Psalteries
- Accessories
- Helpful Information
- Pride in Workmanship and Service
Rick has been making bowed psalteries for the past 30 years. A love of music and woodworking began at an early age. At his fathers side, he became familiar with walnut, cherry, cedar and other native American woods. The projects they completed provided the skills required for creating the beautiful instruments you find here today. Quality and service are top priorities.
Please take a moment to browse the site. See the variety of figured woods used. Listen to the samples of Rick's recordings. Visit the workshop and see where these wonderful instruments are made.
We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
7-10-10
I'm am currently doing craft demo at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, NC. I started on Wed. and will be here through Monday. Meeting a lot of nice folks over here. Many of them are traveling and on vacation. I always enjoy introducing folks to the bowed psaltery. I am demonstrating outside the front of the building here. I can overhear folks as they approach my worktables saying, "he's building dulcimers". I just kind of smile to myself. The dulcimer is the most well known folk instrument in this area and that's a very common mistake. I take it as my signal to educate. Most folks are surprised, as I first was, to hear what the bowed psaltery sounds like and how it is played.
I brought lots of soprano psalteries with me that are in need of completion. I had seven that were far enough along to have a couple of strings on them, to hold the bridge in place. I also brought eight more that only have the tuning and hitch pins installed. I made the bridges before leaving home and can do everything else as my demo. I glue in the builder label, grind the grooves on top of the hitch pins, adjust the levels of the tuning pins, make the bridge cap, finish and seat the bridge in place, string it, and then sign and date it. I will also be grinding the grooves for the bow hair and hairing bows.
I really enjoy the craft demos. It gives me an opportunity to meet folks and let them try out the bowed psaltery for themselves. I am also able to get some work done in the slow times. Lots more fun than the craft fairs. I decided not to exhibit at any craft fairs this year. I've been doing them since 1992 and guess I'm just ready for some change.
Photo by Robert Batey
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