BEGINNER'S MINI JEWEL-BOX LYRE
Intro-
This Instrument was constructed to be simple to do in only 40 hours by students in grade and high-schools as a project.
Earlier Instructables could also be reviewed to help in constructing the simple Lyre of 13 string notes.[1.5 octave].
Ref. Aug 5,2009 Mini-Zither and Portable mini-lyre dated Mar.6,2011 by Mistic..
This Instrument was constructed to be simple to do in only 40 hours by students in grade and high-schools as a project.
Earlier Instructables could also be reviewed to help in constructing the simple Lyre of 13 string notes.[1.5 octave].
Ref. Aug 5,2009 Mini-Zither and Portable mini-lyre dated Mar.6,2011 by Mistic..
CONSTRUCTION General
General details
Following the construction is straight forward.You can use all dimensions as approximately =-1/16 inch tolerance.
The wood used here is white pine but you can use any you have on hand. The hand rests are 1/8 in 3-ply plywood used here.
The resonator box is any box you can make or buy on the Craft market. The jewel-box with side clasp is under 6 dollars. You have to use sand paper and stains you like. We use water based acrillic and finish with Poly-urethane finish.
To make sure the box is sufficiently strong we have injected a bead of E6000 glue in side on all corners.Do this before lacquering .
Box size is to be as close to this size as possible -7 x 7 x3 in. but if it is wider then extend the length of the tuning 3/4 in dia. rod and hand rests but keep the location of the tuners as shown with a spacing of 1/2 inch. The 3 inch height can be variable also since the lid is 1 in. high and the other half is 2. as an approximation. The resonator surface must be thin though. It is usually 3ply 1/8 in . thick. We used the bottom of the box as the resonator surface as a result.That is, we reversed the box so the lid is under the resonator surface as shown here.A v-shaped hole ws cut in lower box section for sound out.
Following the construction is straight forward.You can use all dimensions as approximately =-1/16 inch tolerance.
The wood used here is white pine but you can use any you have on hand. The hand rests are 1/8 in 3-ply plywood used here.
The resonator box is any box you can make or buy on the Craft market. The jewel-box with side clasp is under 6 dollars. You have to use sand paper and stains you like. We use water based acrillic and finish with Poly-urethane finish.
To make sure the box is sufficiently strong we have injected a bead of E6000 glue in side on all corners.Do this before lacquering .
Box size is to be as close to this size as possible -7 x 7 x3 in. but if it is wider then extend the length of the tuning 3/4 in dia. rod and hand rests but keep the location of the tuners as shown with a spacing of 1/2 inch. The 3 inch height can be variable also since the lid is 1 in. high and the other half is 2. as an approximation. The resonator surface must be thin though. It is usually 3ply 1/8 in . thick. We used the bottom of the box as the resonator surface as a result.That is, we reversed the box so the lid is under the resonator surface as shown here.A v-shaped hole ws cut in lower box section for sound out.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Refer to the picture-
In general - use what ever you have - We used :
1-Dremel tool to drill, sand etc. A drill press is better for drilling the tuner holes in the 3/4 in rod.Use a .093 dia. drill.The feed thru holes for the resonator surface can be 1/16 dia. but the .093 is an absolute neccesity for proper torque for tuning.
Item 8- 5/8 in. steel cup hooks [brass plated] are shown with the opennhooks closed with a plier.
item 11- Three kinds of crimps shown open eyelets ,jewelry crimps of bead and barrel or tube types.All work fine. The T-pin is common pin for anchoring the 3/4 rod to side arms.Here a 1/16 drill hole is used to insert pin into ends and cutting off excess.
Item 10-String or as jewelry folks say stretch cord. 1 mm dia. in 15 foot spools. It can be stretched to 400% of its original length without breaking. Some one may try Nylon non-stretch or fishing cord, but we caution against it due to difficulty of tying and tuning.
Item 6 is glue E6000. The only caution is that we recommend an open area for the chlorate fumes to dissipate rapidly.The small rods shown are tooth picks. Used as bridges glued to the resonator surface.Others may use 1/8 in. wood rods.
Item 20 Hemostat or locking forceps. amd item 4 pliers are used to crimp and close the open end tuning screws.
1- PREPARE THE BOX_ See Fig.1 Drawing
Sand and finish as you wish>
Cut out end pieces to size on 1/4 thick wood with a coping saw.Glue to sides as shown.Let glue set 3 hours.
Cut out V hole in end. . 2 in. wide 1 in. deep. This is approx. to let air in and out of resonating box volume.
2- Prepare the rod and tuner to side arms. See fig 2-
Drill anchor holes in resonator surface as shown. Note 'A' is about centered in the top of the box area as shown. Spacing are 0.4 in. using the 1/16 drill and Dremel tool. Tol. is =- 1/32 in.
Rod -3/4 dia. mark off 13 holes spaced 1/2 in apart . drill all way through the rod.
Tuners-Use pliers to insert tuners into the holes all the way to the collar of the screw..Slow operation but critical.
Place tuner filled rod into side slots. In some cases we will need to drill a small hole for the T-Pins but can be done after the glue has set for the 3/4 rod.
STRINGING
The must difficult part is applying strings and tuning them. Place bridge tooth picks 1/8 to 1/4 inch from holes and glue in place.
Start by cutting string about 9 in.for the first Note [B] .Actual length is 7.0 in. in the figure.
Crimp a small bead to the end of the string.Use the closed tuner ring. Tie one simple Knot . hold the crimp and pull till the knot is tight and the crimp prevents unwinding. Keep the tension and wind 2 turns around the axis of the tuner counter clock wise.
Slowly keeping tension lightly force the other end into the B hole and pull tight until the note sounds close to note B. Use the clamping tool on under side and clamp. Then add a crimp close to the clamped string. Cut off to about 1/2 inch near crimp. Remove clamp.
Final Tuning-
Now you can tune up to note B.But don't worry it will drift some - usually down word. about 1 note. After 3 re-tunes it will stabilize.
Do this for all strings. Measure the length and add 2 inches for manipulating the tie. You are now finished.
Hand Rails- These can be added but be sure they do not interfere with the resonating strings.
Pin anchoring- drill a 1/16 hole as shown into the end assembly and 3/4 rod. May not be needed if you use a lot of glue on the ends at the rod ends.
Refer to the picture-
In general - use what ever you have - We used :
1-Dremel tool to drill, sand etc. A drill press is better for drilling the tuner holes in the 3/4 in rod.Use a .093 dia. drill.The feed thru holes for the resonator surface can be 1/16 dia. but the .093 is an absolute neccesity for proper torque for tuning.
Item 8- 5/8 in. steel cup hooks [brass plated] are shown with the opennhooks closed with a plier.
item 11- Three kinds of crimps shown open eyelets ,jewelry crimps of bead and barrel or tube types.All work fine. The T-pin is common pin for anchoring the 3/4 rod to side arms.Here a 1/16 drill hole is used to insert pin into ends and cutting off excess.
Item 10-String or as jewelry folks say stretch cord. 1 mm dia. in 15 foot spools. It can be stretched to 400% of its original length without breaking. Some one may try Nylon non-stretch or fishing cord, but we caution against it due to difficulty of tying and tuning.
Item 6 is glue E6000. The only caution is that we recommend an open area for the chlorate fumes to dissipate rapidly.The small rods shown are tooth picks. Used as bridges glued to the resonator surface.Others may use 1/8 in. wood rods.
Item 20 Hemostat or locking forceps. amd item 4 pliers are used to crimp and close the open end tuning screws.
1- PREPARE THE BOX_ See Fig.1 Drawing
Sand and finish as you wish>
Cut out end pieces to size on 1/4 thick wood with a coping saw.Glue to sides as shown.Let glue set 3 hours.
Cut out V hole in end. . 2 in. wide 1 in. deep. This is approx. to let air in and out of resonating box volume.
2- Prepare the rod and tuner to side arms. See fig 2-
Drill anchor holes in resonator surface as shown. Note 'A' is about centered in the top of the box area as shown. Spacing are 0.4 in. using the 1/16 drill and Dremel tool. Tol. is =- 1/32 in.
Rod -3/4 dia. mark off 13 holes spaced 1/2 in apart . drill all way through the rod.
Tuners-Use pliers to insert tuners into the holes all the way to the collar of the screw..Slow operation but critical.
Place tuner filled rod into side slots. In some cases we will need to drill a small hole for the T-Pins but can be done after the glue has set for the 3/4 rod.
STRINGING
The must difficult part is applying strings and tuning them. Place bridge tooth picks 1/8 to 1/4 inch from holes and glue in place.
Start by cutting string about 9 in.for the first Note [B] .Actual length is 7.0 in. in the figure.
Crimp a small bead to the end of the string.Use the closed tuner ring. Tie one simple Knot . hold the crimp and pull till the knot is tight and the crimp prevents unwinding. Keep the tension and wind 2 turns around the axis of the tuner counter clock wise.
Slowly keeping tension lightly force the other end into the B hole and pull tight until the note sounds close to note B. Use the clamping tool on under side and clamp. Then add a crimp close to the clamped string. Cut off to about 1/2 inch near crimp. Remove clamp.
Final Tuning-
Now you can tune up to note B.But don't worry it will drift some - usually down word. about 1 note. After 3 re-tunes it will stabilize.
Do this for all strings. Measure the length and add 2 inches for manipulating the tie. You are now finished.
Hand Rails- These can be added but be sure they do not interfere with the resonating strings.
Pin anchoring- drill a 1/16 hole as shown into the end assembly and 3/4 rod. May not be needed if you use a lot of glue on the ends at the rod ends.
AMPLIFIERS
Amplification
When done correctly this Music box will give very good pleasing notes.
If you need to amplify you can use several methods as I have done. See pictures.
Use Wireless connection - I have found several transmitters on the Internet. The very small one is running on a C-cell.
Another one found - H Montana Mike and transmitter works quite well to my portable FM radio 10 feet away.
Use direct mike to amplifier.
Special uses- When the lid is opened and closed slowly while stumming the note can wow or get lower as you open and close the lid. See figure- I used a foam block inside . Also used a leaf spring to force the lid open.
When done correctly this Music box will give very good pleasing notes.
If you need to amplify you can use several methods as I have done. See pictures.
Use Wireless connection - I have found several transmitters on the Internet. The very small one is running on a C-cell.
Another one found - H Montana Mike and transmitter works quite well to my portable FM radio 10 feet away.
Use direct mike to amplifier.
Special uses- When the lid is opened and closed slowly while stumming the note can wow or get lower as you open and close the lid. See figure- I used a foam block inside . Also used a leaf spring to force the lid open.
PLAY a TUNE
PLAYING
Lyres are usually strummed from the top or back side. This is not esily done but needs practice. Strumming and plucking from the top is easy to do and you can add a scale on paper and stick it under the strings as shown for kids to learn to read music scores.
Lyres are usually strummed from the top or back side. This is not esily done but needs practice. Strumming and plucking from the top is easy to do and you can add a scale on paper and stick it under the strings as shown for kids to learn to read music scores.
Downloads
COST
PRICES-
For the basic instrument.
Approx. $10.00 but may be more in some cases where the parts are not immediately available .
Most all items are found in Hardware stores but crimps, strings found only in Craft jewelry dept. stores .
.
For the basic instrument.
Approx. $10.00 but may be more in some cases where the parts are not immediately available .
Most all items are found in Hardware stores but crimps, strings found only in Craft jewelry dept. stores .
.