Welsh Crwth
The Fiddle of the Welsh Bards
Heyward Crwth model
This is my 2010 crwth carved from the solid, based on the lighter crwth
which is displayed at Aberystwyth University Library. more
details and pictures to follow.£1100 including case and bow
Welsh Folk Museum Crwth copy
This instrument is based on the Instrument by Richard Evans of 1742 in the Welsh Folk Museum.This example, pictured below is not carved out of a block of timber like the original but built up in baroque violin fashion, with a separate body and arm/head. My version has binding/purfling to the soundboard edge.
With both
of these crwth models the fingerboards are flat
and
the strings are parallel with the body as on the
original, Stringing can be either all plain gut in the medieval fashion
or baroque stringing which uses wound wire on the thicker
strings. Silver wound Thomastic strings with a synthetic core can
also be used with success on these.£1250
I can make them with a natural blonde varnish (bottom)or antiqued as shown on the left.
Normally there is at least 12 months waiting list for these instruments. more for the carved out versions.
Other Crwths can also be made to order, including Baltic Bowed Lyres
See and hear this Crwth on Youtube
Here:
BBC page about the crwth with Cass Meurig talking about the crwth and why she plays it and a tune example
More pictures from my old 2003 website here