Best Psaltery, Best Salterio, Best Psaltery Brands
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In case you are wondering what the psaltery means, it refers to a musical instrument that has a unique feature of appearing in different forms, styles, and types throughout the historical chronicles of the instrument.
For instance, some psalteries come with strings that are ‘plucked’ while some others feature ‘struck’ strings. On the other hand, the majority of the modern day psalteries comes with ‘bowed’ design.
Psalteries styles and their historical functionality
The plucked psaltery goes far back in history and has been in vogue for many years. However, it is the bowed psaltery that has tasted contemporary design. There are different historical accounts relating to how and when the first bowed psaltery came into being. But one thing is clear, and it is that it wasn’t until the middle of the 20th century that the bowed psaltery came in the style and shape that it is played today.
What this means is that the modern day, fully chromatic psaltery in its triangular shape and with strings running down both sides of the instrument, started its development over a century ago.
Irrespective of the historical perspective, the bowed psaltery continues to receive modern development and upgrade from time to time. That is exactly what makes the instrument unique.
What are the Best Psalteries to Buy?
2) Roosebeck Baritone Rounded Psaltery
- Right-Handed
- C3 - C6 Tuning
- 37 Strings
- Lacewood Design
1) Master Works Bowed Psaltery
- High Quality
- 30 Strings
- Great Sound
- Mongolian Horsehair Design
- Comfortable Control
3) Zither Heaven Artisan Black Walnut Bowed Psaltery
- Affordable
- Special Design
- Chromatic
- 22 Strings
- Comfortable Playing
Buying a bowed psaltery
One thing you must take note of when shopping for your bowed psaltery is:
The Sound and Tonal features of the Bowed Psaltery
The sound is the most unique aspect of the bowed psaltery. Depending on how you play and tune it, you will surely have one or more of the following sound and tonal output: a haunting sound, an ethereal sound, a ringing sound, and icy sound, and more.
There is another determinant of the sound that your psaltery produces: the nature of the string involved.
A psaltery that is strung with a nickel plated wound strings will sound different from the one that is strung with bronze plated wound strings.
So when you are buying your psaltery, think of the type of strings scaling that come along with it, and be ready to change anything you find not up to the mark.
Your budget
Now that we are in the era of the internet, both buyers and sellers can easily find information relating to any product and consumer behavior/trend. When you go online shopping for your family, remember to take into account your budget. That is, the cost of the product and how best it is designed to suit your needs.
Make sure you have a well-prepared budget ahead of your decision to buy. Knowing the cost of the psaltery beforehand will enable you to decide if what you need is a used or a brand new psaltery. Make sure you compare the product’s workability and its cost so you can buy the right one.
What design do you want?
The bowed psaltery comes in different wooden designs and sizes. Your psaltery can be made of hardwood or softwood. Each of this wood design can be spruce, rosewood, mahogany, and more. The nature of the wood used in making the psaltery will determine the type of sound you will have. So be sure to test-drive the instrument before you buy it. That is, check on the pitch, sound quality, and tone. This will enable you to choose the right instrument.
5 Best Psaltery Reviews and the Best Salterio
1) Master Works Bowed Psaltery
Now you can compete with the Biblical David using this superb Master Work psaltery. 30 strings are carefully laid out on this instrument, and each comes with breathtaking gauges that vary while providing strong and consistent tone. The psaltery sound excels across its fully functional and chromatic range of F, going beyond its middle C and all the way to third Bb, beyond middle C.
Just like every other psaltery on this product line, this Master Works Psaltery also features the popular and elegant Harrison Rose design in its soundhole inlay. Added to this design is a tuning wrench that allows you to put the string into positions for a precise and definite sound effect. The string gauge chart allows you to map out your play range process and the tuning scheme.
The Psaltery also comes with rosin and solidly built Master Works bow that features high-quality Mongolian horsehair design. High logically and strategically designed ‘finger hole’ is placed at the upper back layer of the instrument. This provides you with a safe and comfortable control mechanism while playing or moving the instrument.
MasterWorks added a well-padded carrying case to this package, and with a two-year warranty, you know you have a psaltery that might have been “stolen” from King David itself.
2) Roosebeck Baritone Rounded Psaltery
Here is a psaltery for all right-handed people who love to play the instrument. This Baritone psaltery comes with 37 strings that give you the sound of a medieval legend. Each of the strings gives you that unique touch of ”soul music,” same way King David hit the psaltery strings that send demons flying off king Solomon.
The instrument is beautiful and the resonance is reassuring. Rosebeck brings into the fold a great baritone sound that compels even the most ardent and accomplished string-based musician to feel like starting over again.
Weighing just 1.9 pounds, this Rosebank baritone psaltery is just the perfect size for any player. The strings range from C3 to C6. The body is made of lacewood design which also features a spruce soundboard. A well crafted Sheesham rosette defines the unique single sound hole. The package comes with a psaltery bow, which is great for striking through the instrument. A rosin and tuning tool also comes with the package.
The instrument produces a well ethereal and clear sound. But the best feature of this instrument is how simple it is to play. You don’t have to be a master of the instrument to hit the psaltery. The instrument is bowed between the Hitch pins, which compels the player to play one string at a time while holding the bow in a dominant hand.
3) Zither Heaven Artisan Black Walnut 22 String Bowed Psaltery
For those who love Soul Travel, this is one psaltery that can transport you to the heavenly realms. Designed with Black Walnut, this artesian psaltery features a well-laid out 22 strings that renders amazing sound quality. The instrument comes 21.5 x 7 x 2 inches in dimensions, indicating it’s among the best medium-to-large sized psaltery in the market.
At 3.7 pounds, the weight of this psaltery isn’t something you should worry about. You can conveniently carry it around. However, the length might not be suitable for some category of players, especially the short-handed type. The psaltery is manufactured in the US, which means good quality, due to how the country enforces regulations on product standard.
Accompanying this psaltery is a playing bow, meaning you get to save extra cash in investing in a separate bow. The included tuning wrench allows you to get the right sound and the added rosin makes everything even more interesting. The chromatic design is built to start at G4 and then end up at F6. And if you have a dulcimer, this psaltery will blend just fine.
4) Roosebeck Alto Rounded Psaltery
Here is another powerful psaltery for the right-handed individual who loves to play the instrument left behind by the psalmist—King David. It has 30 strings and it ranges from F4 to Bb6. The soundboard of this psaltery features a spruce design that rests in peace on a body of Sheesham wood. Of course, it has a single soundhole that carries a Sheesham rosette carved design.
Coming on the heels of the beautiful design, this Psaltery also features a bow that you can use for playing the instrument. The length of the strings measures 13 inches in diameter, but the overall length 21.4 x 9.8 x 3.7 inches in dimensions, which is not bad either. It weighs 3.45 pounds, making a decent instrument to carry from one place to another.
However, do not expect much from the strings that come with the instrument. You will need to change them to have a better, durable and quality sound. This Rosebeck psaltery also features a tuning tool that enables the player to have and maintain a stable tune and sound.
5) Cherry Bowed Psaltery
The psaltery is one of the most lovable string instruments. Many musicians love them because of their simplicity and ease of play. This model from DragonFly features a 33 string design that looks both appealing as well as awesome in play. The strings are stretched as such that they provide a unique tone that defines its quality.
The body of this psaltery features a solid and durable wood construction. The psaltery also comes with a solid and reliable wood bow for extreme performance. The design carries a durable hair setting and there is an instruction on how best you can take adequate care of your psaltery instrument. The inlay design carries a highly decorated and innovative Dragon Fly shape.
Made in the United States, this psaltery appears durable. The body is made of cherry wood design and the mahogany soundboard consist of excellent pattern that adds to the overall beauty and sound projection of the instrument. You really do not need to change the strings on this one, but better quality strings can be used to replace the existing ones.
Choosing the Best Psaltery from the Best Psaltery Brands
The psaltery is one great instrument that you should think about getting. It is the most simple of all string instruments to play. However, choosing the best psaltery can become a tough decision to make.
2) Roosebeck Baritone Rounded Psaltery
- Right-Handed
- C3 - C6 Tuning
- 37 Strings
- Lacewood Design
1) Master Works Bowed Psaltery
- High Quality
- 30 Strings
- Great Sound
- Mongolian Horsehair Design
- Comfortable Control
3) Zither Heaven Artisan Black Walnut Bowed Psaltery
- Affordable
- Special Design
- Chromatic
- 22 Strings
- Comfortable Playing
As listed above, there are some important aspects of the psaltery you have to consider when looking to purchase one. These include:
The Soundboard
This is the part that is responsible for transferring vibration from the strings to other parts of the psaltery. It is a thin piece of wood, which can be softwood or other design. So check well before you buy yours.
The Soundhole
It refers to different sizes or shapes of an opening in the top of the soundboard. It acts as the ‘mouth’ of the instrument.
The bridge
Is a piece of wood running down in a perpendicular from across the psaltery’s’ top. It refers to the point where the vibrations from the strings are transferred to the instrument soundboard.
Other important aspects of the psaltery to always consider when shopping for one are, the tuning pins, the Hitch pins, rosette or rose, pinblock, the saddle, and sides. The quality of these parts will determine if you will be playing and enjoying one of music oldest instruments.