Auris Lyre LBP | Auris Lyre LOP | Auris Lyre LNP |
Maintenance of the Auris lyres
The first tuning
In order for the lyre to hold its pitch as long as possible after tuning, it is important that the very first tuning is done correctly:
First tune all of the strings to their right pitch. Then press down relatively hard with your finger in the middle of each string. It should flex 1/4 inch (7-8mm). The tones will now have become lower because the strings stretch and the lyre body bends slightly under the string tension. Now, repeat the procedure until the strings withstands the pressure of your finger without losing their pitch. Please note: Never turn the tuning key without listening to the string at the same time!
This process is also used when you change an old string to a new.
Changing the strings
The strings are changed either when they no longer hold a clear tone or when they have broken. When you change a broken string you must not forget to unscrew the tuning pin as many turns as it has been tightened. This will be about three or three and a half turns. The tuning pins have left hand threads which means that they screw out clockwise, and in counter-clockwise. When the new string is placed on the lyre, it is attached to the pin as shown in picture A and wound up as in picture B.
The wood
The wooden part has a shellac priming and is finished with a polish. This gives a soft very “woody” feeling and is easy to protect and preserve. If there are no marks or stains on the wooden body and you just want to shine it up a little, rub it with some beeswax or wood polish on a rough cloth – let this dry and polish with a smooth cloth.
A notch in the wood can be levelled out by wetting it and as it is still wet, work it over with a hot iron, this will make the wood swell up and the notch will become less deep, if it does not level out completely you can repeat the process a couple of times and it will become less deep every time. Even if it causes a shallow burn mark in the wood surface it this will not jeopardize the quality of the instrument. A superficial burn mark like this is very easy to rub of with a grinding paper. Finish with a fine gritted sand paper and follow the waxing procedures as described above.
Marks and stains from wax crayons can be resolved by turpentine.
We wish you many joy full moments with your instrument
The staff at AURIS Musikinstrument, Järna, Sweden
www.auris.se