Rote: Germanic #1

Design based on 6th-7th Century instrument found in a warrior's grave in the Black Forest.
Red oak, ebony

I came across this rote in an old English book describing the history of stringed instruments. The photo in the book was of a reproduction, but it did give the dimensions of the original, which is what I based this on. One interesting note is that this is considered the earliest example of a metal-strung instrument. The strings were more than likely bronze. Like the original, this one is barely 7/8" thick and hollowed out up to the slits. The tuning pins are modern; the early tuners were pegs, similar to a violins.

No one knows how these instruments were tuned or how they were played.

Personal collection - NFS

Rote: Germanic #2

Design based on 6th-7th Century instrument found in a warrior's grave in the Black Forest.
White oak, maple, ebony

For my second Germanic rote I decided to "modernize" the design by making it thicker and adding a soundhole. This one is approximately 1 1/4" thick and hollowed out up to the tuning bar. My first Germanic rote's tone is muted; the sound barely carries. This one is quite loud and almost harp like in tone.

Collection of David Castriota, New York, NY

Rote: Germanic #3

Design based on 6th-7th Century instrument found in a warrior's grave in the Black Forest.
Flamed white oak, maple, ebony

Similar to Germanic #2. Done as commission for David Castriota of New York, NY.

Collection of David Castriota, New York, NY

Rote: Germanic #4

Design based on 6th-7th Century instrument found in a warrior's grave in the Black Forest.
Flamed white oak, maple, ebony, black walnut

For my newest (Winter, 2004-2005) Germanic Rote, I researched artwork and symbols of the period and used some in the peg, tailpiece, and bridge carvings. The golden hues of the flamed oak is quite striking.

In the collection of Albert Koetsier, Lake Elsinore, CA

Rote: Saxon #1

Design based on 7th Century instrument found in Saxon ship buried in Sutton Hoo, East Anglia, Great Britain.
Flamed white oak, Douglas fir, Mahogany, ebony, maple

While visiting the British Museum several years ago, I came across the "Sutton Hoo" room, where all the excavated remains of a buried Saxon ship were on display. In one case was pieces of an oblong-shaped rote, and right next to them was a beautiful reproduction. I thought this would be an interesting project, especially after building two Germanic-style rotes. After much research, I built this one. The original has "stamped" bronze medalions on the top with some kind of crest or seal. I carved two ebony "Coog Moon" medalions to put on mine.

Collection of David Castriota, New York, NY

Psaltery #1

Based on traditional design
Maple, Douglas fir

For my first hog-nose (or pig's snout) psaltery I made an 18-string version based on designs seen in many European frescos, paintings, and carvings of the Medieval and Rennaisance periods. Psalteries can be played while standing, cradling the instrument in your arms with the "snout" pointed down, or played on your lap while sitting. Psalteries are occasionally called lap harps. Psalteries are bright sounding and the strings sustain for several seconds allowing beautiful harmonies to sing out.

Collection of Dora L. "Lu" Hart, Cheyenne, WY

Psaltery #2

Based on traditional design
Maple, recycled Douglas fir, soundhole carving of Eastern black walnut

To extend the scale I added two lower strings and built this 20-string version. Since many depictions of psalteries show carved sound holes, either carved through the top wood or added as intricate parchment roses, I carved and inlayed my trademark "Coog Moon" with a piece of Eastern black walnut.

Collection of Nancy Prentice, New Castle, PA

Wing Psaltery #1

Design based on historical instruments
Maple, recycled Douglas fir, black walnut & maple accents, soundhole carving of maple

Examples of this style of psaltery have been discovered in Babylonian, Asyrian, and Egyptian excavations that date back over 1000 years B.C. Mine are based on a little more current instruments, from the Medieval period around 1300 A.D. This one is a "table-top" instrument with a maple stand with hand-carved "feet." It has 18 single steel strings.

Collection of Maureen Mitchell-Wise, Berkeley, CA