New weird instrument!

SJ VanSandt · #1 06-13-2016, 09:55 PM

I'm so excited! Today I commissioned a very unique instrument from Kevin Jones, who specializes in making unique things. It's going to be, um, an 8-string 12-string. Basically a tenor guitar tuned Chicago style, only with double courses, and the lower courses in octaves. (I'm sure that helps clarify things.) And a mandocello body, without a waist.

Let me see if I can find the Youtube video of him playing one of his walkabout dulcimers - it will be similar to this, only with a more guitar-like neck . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnL1_dLbARM

and 8 strings!

JHumphrey · #2 06-13-2016, 11:24 PM

Cool project- I love weird instruments! Look forward to following the progress.

OddManOut · #3 06-14-2016, 07:05 AM

SJ VanSandt · #4 06-14-2016, 08:33 PM

Thanks, OMO! Kevin is just noodling around, but you can see what a strange little instrument he makes. I owned one of these bass walkabout dulcimers for a while, but the scale was a bit long for an instrument tuned in fifths (for my stubby little fingers), and it only played easily in a couple of keys, like most dulcimers, I suppose. The one he is building for me should be easy to play for anyone who plays guitar or ukulele.

BBWW · #5 06-14-2016, 09:32 PM

I have a Jayson Bowerman Tenor 8er! Walnut and redwood it is an eight string tenor and I love it. Lot's of melodic ideas out of that baby!

I also have a Bowerman 8 String Guitar with just the D and G strings with octaves. All the fun of a 12 string and a lot less work.

Tenor's however can be a lot of fun.

ifret · #6 06-15-2016, 09:39 AM

He does great work and is a nice guy. I had him make me a custom Walkabout Dulcimer a few years ago. This is a video of my specific instrument:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzRghznrdjI

I'm a mountain dulcimer player, this thing is fun.

Enjoy it!

SJ VanSandt · #7 08-22-2016, 08:21 AM

Hey frets4fun, I just watched your video - the instrument sounds great - sounds fun! Today is NGDD, if all goes well (I'm going to call it a guitar/dulcimer for lack of a better term). If Kevin is in the shop I'll try to get him to let me make a little video to share with you guys. I'll post pictures, for sure!

SJ VanSandt · #8 08-22-2016, 06:06 PM

http://s786.photobucket.com/user/sta..._0133.mp4.html

Well here it is! I can't figure out how to embed it any more - something got changed up either on Photobucket or on my computer, but the link ought to work. It sounds better than the phone captured (of course), and neither Kevin nor I know quite what to do with it yet, but I anticipate having a lot of fun with it. My only fear is it will whet my appetite for a full 12 string again!

SJ VanSandt · #9 08-23-2016, 07:26 AM

A few poor pictures. It sounds very much like Kevin's walkabout dulcimers, but with the octave courses on the D and G strings it gets the 12-string jangle very nicely. I've tried several instruments tuned in fifths - tenor guitars, dulcimers, etc. and I'm just more comfortable with guitar tuning. I'm not sure what I will end up using this for in the long run, but I'm sure having fun with it now!