Arts of Piekūns
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A set of pictures, property of Jekabs Zarins
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Where do I get a kokle?
You can always just pop in a music shop, like UPE in 5 R Vagnera iela, Old Town, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia ( +371 67 226 119) and get your own kokle there on the spot. It's going to be a bit more expensive than ordering directly from a kokle maker, but if you are in a hurry or you like to check out which kokle appeals to you more by the timbre and looks, it's a great option. I bought mine there in 2008 and several kokle students that I've had over the years also have bought their kokles there.
Another option, which is best if you don't live in Latvia or you want a custom kokle, is to order it from a kokle craftsman. Below is the contact information for a few kokle craftsmen from Latvia I'm lucky to know about.
As long as I know, even the ones who don't speak English, have solutions for translating, so the language is not an obstacle.
(A-Z)
Andris Roze
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016930322487
email: andra.rozes@gmail.com
tel. (+371) 26553315
Usually takes just a month to make a kokle
Eduards Klints
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009552756214
Very busy, queue on the orders is 6-12 months
Also makes other traditional Latvian music instruments
Ģirts Laube
web: http://girtslaube.wix.com/zeltakokles
e-mail: girts@zeltaspeles.com
tel. (+371) 26777233
Usually takes just a month to make a kokle
Kārlis Lipors
e-mail: karlislipors@gmail.com
tel. (+371) 29680082
Usually takes just a month to complete the order. One of my kokles is from this craftsman. Has a lot of experience in shipping to UK.
Edgars Vilmanis-Meženieks
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vilmanis.mezenieks/
tel. +371 26 745 261
Makes 11 string Latgales and Kurzemes kokles with metal pegs. From 250€ + shipping. Extra price for custom details and modifications.
Krists Jánis Lazdiņš
Only Latgales kokles 10-11 strings,
e-mail: krists.lazdins@inbox.lv, also on Facebook
Māris Jansons
tel +79080187902
e-mail: tmc@lu.lv
In and out from Latvia, shipping from Russia.
A beloved ethnic music instrument craftsman from Latvia.
Kokles - Latgales un Kurzemes 10-11 strings 200 EUR + shipping 20-30 EUR. 12-14 strings 250-300 EUR + shipping. Can also be ordered with inbuilt pickups (extra 50-200 EUR depending on chosen quality) for amplifiers.
Also makes bagpipes (300-500 EUR) and traditional Latvian flutes from wood in tunings G,A,B,C,D,E (15-25 EUR).
Usually takes a month to complete an order.
One of his projects in pictures - https://vk.com/tmartel
Rihards Valters
web: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AISMAinstruments/about/
e-mail: rihards.valters@inbox.lv
tel.: (+371) 25951892
Great designs, makes a variety of Latvian traditional music instruments. Kokles can be ordered with carved totemic animal heads as well.
In the video below he's playing kokle.
The ģīga (Latvian traditional music instrument on the left) is also made by Rihards.
