Nils Jacobsson Nyckelharpa No. 3 (1981)

This carefully handcrafted Swedish nyckelharpa was built by Nils Jacobsson in 1981 and represents a charming example of traditional Scandinavian folk instrument craftsmanship.

The instrument immediately draws attention through its elegant and unusual tailpiece, shaped like a small music stand — a distinctive decorative feature that gives the nyckelharpa additional personality and visual identity.

Its construction reflects the warmth and simplicity associated with Swedish folk tradition, while the instrument itself offers a beautiful natural resonance and pleasant response under the bow.

Prepared with care in our workshop, this nyckelharpa is especially suitable for:

• beginners discovering the instrument,
• developing students,
• amateur folk musicians,
• and players looking for a warm, inspiring Scandinavian sound.

Rather than being designed as a highly aggressive professional concert instrument, this nyckelharpa offers comfort, musicality and accessibility — making it an excellent companion for learning and everyday playing.

This is a traditional three-row chromatic nyckelharpa with key layout 7–11–20 and tuning A – C – G – C.

The instrument has undergone:

• keyboard mechanism improvement and regulation,
• setup adjustment,
• installation of new original Swedish Prim melody strings,
• and detailed acoustic preparation in our workshop.

Its sound character is warm, balanced and pleasant, with a soft Scandinavian resonance and clear melodic articulation.

The keyboard response feels comfortable and forgiving, which makes the instrument especially well suited for players developing technique and intonation.

The nyckelharpa produces:

• warm folk resonance,
• smooth tonal response,
• comfortable playability,
• and a friendly, musical sound ideal for traditional repertoire.

The instrument has undergone careful preparation in our workshop, including:

• keyboard mechanism correction and improvement,
• setup optimization,
• installation of new Prim Swedish melody strings,
• tonal balancing,
• and detailed playing adjustment.

Prepared for comfortable and reliable everyday use.

The gallery below presents detailed photographs of the instrument, including the keyboard construction, distinctive tailpiece, Scandinavian woodwork and decorative details.