Nyckelharpa Strings for Sale from the ANA
The American Nyckelharpa Association is pleased to announce the availability of strings for the Nyckelharpa! We have four different products for you -- one brand of playing strings and three versions of understring (resonance string) sets. Prices are listed for ANA members & non-members and include shipping.
For more information, e-mail string.sales@nyckelharpa.org. You can also read how a nyckelharpa is tuned or about using Helicore cello strings.
How to Order Nyckelharpa Strings
We can accept payment by check, money order, or paypal.
1: Order
Download and print the string sales order form OR E-mail your request to string.sales@nyckelharpa.org
2: Payment
If paying by check or money order, send payment to
Tim Newcomb
579 Hampshire Hill Rd
Worcester VT 05682
If paying at PayPal.com, send the appropriate amount of money to the e-mail address "pay@nyckelharpa.org".
3: Questions about Purchasing Strings
Please contact Tim by E-mail or phone: 802-229-4604.
Playing Strings: An Explanation
PRIM brand strings are made by an old Swedish string manufacturing company. Their fiddle strings are popular among folk musicians, and are available widely in the US. Their nyckelharpa strings are basically the same as their cello strings, except that they are the correct length for nyckelharpas instead of about a foot too long. The A and C strings come in two different gauges, but the lower two only come in medium.
| Note | Diameter inches |
Diameter mm |
Gauge 0.05=mm |
| A(1) Soft (Blue) | .018 | 0.45 | 9 |
| A(1) Medium (Green) | .020 | 0.50 | 10 |
| C(2) Medium (Green) | .036 | 0.91 | 18 1/4 |
| C(2) Orchestra (Brown) | .038 | 0.97 | 19 1/2 |
| G(3) | .045 | 1.14 | 22 3/4 |
| C(4) | .066 | 1.68 | 33 1/2 |
| PRIM STRINGS | Members | Non-Members |
| Full Set | $67 | $75 |
| Prim A(1) | $18 | $20 |
| Prim C(2) | $14 | $16 |
| Prim G(3) | $16 | $18 |
| Prim C(4) | $19 | $21 |
Resonance Strings: An Explanation
The three sets we offer can be called "6+6", "4+4+4", and "12-step". There's actually some logic there:
"6+6" is
- 6 wound strings .021" (0.53 mm) in diameter
- 6 plain strings .014" (0.36 mm) in diameter
"4+4+4" is
- 4 wound strings 0.24" (0.61 mm) in diameter
- 4 wound strings .021" (0.53 mm) in diameter
- 4 plain strings .014" (0.36 mm) in diameter
"12-step" is
- 12 strings, varying from .025" (0.64 mm) to .014" (0.36 mm), by steps of .001". The lower 6 are wound, the higher 6 plain.
Resonance string sets cost $22 for members ($27 for non-members), regardless of which version you choose.