'Circe'.

 Price: £1,800.

Scale length:            variable (from 400 mm to 550 mm)

Overall length:          75 cm

Body length:             33 cm

Upper width:             50 cm

Body width:              36 cm

Lower bout depth:    10 cm

German Spruce soundboard, Maple back, Pine and Indian Rosewood with Ebony floating bridge.

Varnish finish.

Modelled on the appearance of kithara shown on ancient Greek pots, this instrument is playable as a fully functioning lyre with seven gut strings and an adjustable floating bridge. 

There's been a lot of historical debate about the elaborate superstructure above the two 'horns' and it is only in the last couple of decades that it's been discovered that this was not simply decoration but a functioning part of the instrument that allows subtle changes in pitch and portamento playing! Whilst this function has been made possible on this instrument, it does put a lot of tension on relatively delicate gut strings and is not really advised...

Construction photos:

Contact me if you are interested in purchasing this instrument:

manfredhennessy@gmail.com