Psateries from En Calcat

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For 25 years, our SODEC-CITHARES workshop has produced several thousand zithers, now spread throughout 70 countries.

Although long known in Western folklore as a musical instrument, the 6-chord zither has become a complete instrument of 24 chords able to play in all keys, for the accompaniment of the choral office in communities... and we have called it the "Psaltery", referring to the psalms which it accompanies. This stringed instrument happily sustains the chant, giving it a subtle harmonic base. As a solo instrument, it is also very conducive to meditation.

Although it has spread mainly among religious communities, its rich sonority and easy-to-play nature have captivated people far beyond our cloisters.

Psaltérion 7/7

New model

Width 55cm

Height 52 cms

Weight 4.9 kg

7 chords - 25 melodic strings

 

rigid polystyrene case 7/7 weight 2.6 Kg Price 116EU

 

How it is made

The Psaltery is flat like a guitar but, because of its use in the accompaniment of choir, it is not placed on a table but on a trestle or tripod, so as to allow its lower sounding chamber to resonate.
The Psaltery has 12 chords that one can tune, at will, in Major and Minor keys, thus making a total of 24 chords.


To suit the different needs, two models are available:
The larger, the Psaltery 12/7 has 7 strings per chord, while the Psaltery 12/4 has only 4 per chord.
Both, however, have the 12 chords and the same chromatic keyboard of two and a half octaves.
Their dimensions are as follows:
· Psaltery 12/7: 54cm x 77cm x 6cm. Weight 8,5 kg
· Psaltery 12/4: 54cm x 62cm x 6cm. Weight 5,5 kg
 Psaltery 12 X 4 (4 strings per chord)


Price List
Psaltery 12 X 7 (7 strings per chord)

rigid polystyrene case 12/7. weight 4.5 Kg 150€

Keyboard commun for the two models

 

The switchover from Major to Minor is made by a single movement, using levers and without having to adjust the tuning pegs. Only the thirds of the chords are provided with these levers, to which we have given the name of "modulators".

 

Accessories Price List

Cover Tuner
Table stand Stand in wood

 

Association des "Amis de la Cithare"

For information about courses of instruction, ways of playing, music and a quarterly review, please write to:


Association des "Amis de la Cithare"
Secrétariat : Kérit Carmel
38150 SAINT ROMAIN DE SURIEU
www.Cithare.net (English)