WHY A WYMAN?

Explain the delicate purity of the tone of the lute, viol and harp of the thirteenth century and how it compares with the finest modern instruments of today.

The delicate purity of tone of the lute, viol and harp instruments found its zenith in quality in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The proportions of wood density and thickness of these instruments were of a much thinner and more responsive design than the later carved instruments. As venues graduated in size from the king's court and music rooms to theaters and concert halls, these designs evolved so as to accommodate higher string tension and acoustic cavity expansion, thereby producing a more powerful sound. Though these instruments seemed to perform well in the larger venues, the spectrum of tone and sustain was inhibited and shortened in proportion. In answer to this, the modern carved instrument evolved and was accepted, as it was found to recoup those lost qualities. Though drastically falling short of their predecessors, they none the less could be heard in the cheap seats. With very little change, these inadequacies are still present today. That is, until now.

How does all that compare with Wyman Instruments?

Because of their unique design, Wyman Instruments restore the full spectrum of tone and sustain to the degree that they must be considered completely new instruments and not merely a redesign of what we know and play today.

In terms of sound, what about power?

Because of all of its innovations in structure, bracing and air flow, the Wyman Instrument provides a much wider range of the tonal spectrum and a brighter, fuller timbre which greatly enhances its performance possibilities. In other words, it is a very powerful instrument in every way.

Talk to me about sustain, bow and pick response.

Through the use of a uniquely designed rib, brace and block system, the Wyman Instrument corrects and supports total sustain by equalizing tension in both directions of string vibration. This, in combination with is ability to eliminate counterproductive vibration (wolf tones and inharmonic incidence), drastically improves the free vibration of strings, thereby improving sustain as well as bow and pick response.

It's larger, yet more comfortable to play?

Yes. In order to maintain the integrity of the internal design changes and radical new configuration, the exterior contours of the Wyman Instruments became the beneficiary in a most positive way, of a larger exterior contour resulting in a much more comfortable player-to-instrument physical compatibility.

What about unity of tone when played with other instruments?

The introduction of Wyman Instruments, particularly the bowed variety, into the string section of an ensemble or orchestra can only have a positive effect. As opposed to standing out individually from the other instruments, they will join with and enhance them as part of the section by providing a more beautiful, stronger tone in a much wider range.

Tell me about cylindrical construction and design.

As opposed to modern styles of manufacture, the Wyman Instrument increases tensil strength to all body surfaces equally and evenly, much like the intended result of the Roman arch (the more weight, the stronger the arch), thereby being more responsive to higher or lower string tensions without the tonal decay of modern designs, which makes it possible to produce greater power and volume without loss of tonal spectrum.