7 gut strings.
5 on the fingerboard and 2 bourdon/drones.
The bourdon strings can be plucked or bowed.
Common tunings:
d d’ / g g’ d’ a’ d”
d d’ / d g d’ a’ e”
Flat fingerboard and minimally curved bridge for chordal playing.
Typically used as an accompaniment to the voice.
Built on the back following historical Brescian methods, giving the instrument a beautifully organic form.
Soundboards can either be bent from multiple staves, or ‘one-piece’ carved.
Optional bass bar, as some historical examples do not include one.
Leaf shaped pegbox with frontal pegs.
The bourdon strings emerge from the side and run over a separate ebony nut.
Decorated or plain peg box options.
Decoration includes ornate Venetian ‘Moresque’ style gilding.
Light and easy to play.
Narrow neck and nut spacing for double-stopping and chordal playing.
A check-up within the first 2 years to make any adjustments as the instrument settles.
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Lira da braccio starting at £9,400.
The price listed includes a complete instrument and a check-up within the first 2 years to make adjustments as it settles. Extra decoration will cost more depending on the design, and this will be calculated before construction starts. Prices do not include a case or bow. -
I build instruments to order and have a waiting list. To join, a non-refundable £100 deposit is required to confirm your order.
After that, I finalise the design and calculate the total cost.
A 20% deposit is required when I start making the instrument to cover materials, and the remaining amount is due upon collection or delivery. Deposits are non-refundable.
If you are not satisfied with the finished instrument, I will make necessary adjustments once for free, as long as they follow the original agreed design.
Any faults with the instrument will be repaired by the maker for free within the first 10 years. This does not include general wear and tear or damage from misuse/mishandling.
Accepted payment methods are wire transfer and Bitcoin.
For on-chain Bitcoin payments, a 10% discount is applied to your order.
