Good day;

I just got an intriguing instrument from a contact in Florida.

It is about 28 inches long, 6 inches wide. Rectangular. The cover hinges off but is not removed. It has 6 strings, 3 wound 3 unwound and 2 wound drones{?}

Up the length of the instrument are 27 brass keys and irregular intervals. The keys are bars that act like a guitar capo or dobro slide which block the strings, like an electrical knife switch. Presumably one strums the strings near the bridge. I don't see how it could be bowed as the strings are all at the same level, except the drones, which are set slightly lower at the bridge and cannot be reached with a bow.

Given it has 6 stjrings if I had to come up with a name I would call it a keyed guitar, or an autoguitar or ...?

I have no idea what the strings are tuned to as there are no symbols on this beast and no indication where it was made, no serial number, just a couple of fancy decals.However, I suppose it could be tuned to an open guitar tuning.

I have had two suggestions: one that it is a nyckleharpa (but that is bowed and this cannot be) and a bulbul tatar, an Indian instrument.

Any ideas what it is? How to tune it? How to play it?

Thanks for any suggestions

Richard Wright