Psaltery Strings

[Frances Bercher]

Received my e-bay psaltery today - looks pretty good but strings are rusty so don't want to touch the bow to them. It is a soprano - does anyone know where I might find a graduated-diameter set of strings? That would be ideal, otherwise I can only find sets of all .010. I live in Wisconsin - would pay shipping. Thanks

[Dave Holeton]

Frances

We might need to know who made the psaltery or the length of the strings.  Several psaltery builders (luthiers) have string sets matched to their psaltery design based on length.  Harpkit has a graduated string set for a 32 string psaltery.  If your psaltery is about the same size as the harpkit psaltery, the harpkit stringset might work on your psaltery.

http://www.harpkit.com/product/bpstrg.html

If you're willing to experiment, you can make your own graduated set by purchasing strings in bulk.  JustStrings.com has strings that can be purchased in bulk.

http://www.juststrings.com/plainsteelguitarbulkstrings.html

Dave

[robert schuler]

On my soprano psalteries I use .011 wire on all strings. Never had a issue with tuning or see a need for heavier strings. You might find this wire in a hardware store. I got mine from a piano supply company in a bulk roll but I'll second Dave's advise, Just Strings is a great site to buy individual strings... Robert.

[Frances Bercher]

I ordered a roll of .012 wire - enough to last a lifetime I'm afraid. Hope this mid-gauge wire will work OK. Thanks for the reply.

[robert schuler]

.012 is great... Good luck... Robert

[Frances Bercher]

String goes through the notch of hitch pin,down through hole and out then loops around and back through hole.Strings have been cut and removed at tunung pins but are so tight at loop around hitch pin I can't cut it. Help, please

[Rick Long]

Hi Frances,  You will need something with a sharp point to pry that loop apart.  Sometimes you can pull it out completely, but at least enough to get your cutters in there to snip it.  I use a scratch awl for that purpose, but really anything with a sharp metal point.  Be careful of the wood, it is easy to slip off and damage the soundboard wood.