This instrument is one of the easiest bowed instruments to play, and its eerie, icy magical tone is very enchanting, for me it conjures up the This Chromatic version of this Instrument date backs to the 20th century where it was first developed as an easier violin like instrument for children to play in schools. Plans were available in the 1960s from people like Edgar Stahmer in Germany and his friend in England Ronald Roberts who published a book for making musical instruments. In the 1980's and 90's Zachary Taylor made and played and publicized these instruments by making the plans available
Available, made to order on my Etsy Shop
My version of this instrument after making them for 30 years has a few extra refinements, impoved spacing of strings for tuning using pins on bridge,lighter framework, rosette, maple hitchpin blocks with other timber overlaid on sides, 20 notes for a soprano in C with Alto and tenor custom order options, I make these instrument in a variety of domestic timbers, Oak, maple, walnut, cherry with Spruce or cedar tops from £400 for recycled models up to £650 for custom models including a case and bows
