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Old 07-05-2011, 12:00 PM
JRB JRB is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 638
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Wade,

I've almost completed this post several times, only to have my computer lock up at the last minute. I'll try agan...

Al's guitar was unlike any guitar I've ever played, even the few harp guitars I've played. The bass strings are nylon, which isn't too unusual (for example, Viennese kontraguitarres). The volume is even across the strings on the standard neck and the harp strings. The harp strings are ascending, rather than descending like the majority of harp guitars.

You'll notice that the harp soundbox has a soundport, as does the tube/neck that connects the regular soundbox with the harp soundbox. The neck connecting the two is fairly narrow (I believe it was a result of the size of the wood Al had around to build the guitar). Because of the narrow neck, their was a distinct separation of the sound from the harp soundbox and the regular soundbox - the result being a really cool "stereo" effect. It is as if the bass strings are being played off to the left. The sound blends nicely when listening in front of the player, but as a player the stereo effect makes you want to play for hours.

Regardless of the stereo effect, it is a fine-sounding guitar.

Al playing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oDQ1Ajp9So

Here's a link to Ken Bonfield's site. Ken has another Al Carruth harp guitar; the organic design is very striking. I didn't get a chance to play it but I heard Ken playing it. Also very nice.

http://kenbonfield.com/harp-guitar-diary/

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