Steve - I have two phonofiddles sitting here in this room with me. No one has ever managed to get anything remotely connected with music to come forth from them. And in Exeter we knew a man with a four string version, it had the big horn for the listeners and a little one pointing towards the player's ear. The larger horn, and the horn on the one string model were indeed intended to concentrate the sound - the string runs over a bridge which vibrates a mica membrane which in turn is amplified by the horn. Kat, these were proper instruments (honest!), the main manufacturer was the Strohviol company, I have the 'home' and 'concert' models. The concert model has what appear to be frets, but they're actually just markers. We also made a bass version out of one of those big horns you see on top of loud speaker vans, it was er, interesting and a little easier on the ear than the small squeaky ones. Used in a novelty trio - concert model, bass model and musical saw. The saw sounded very melodic in comparison. Paul Tortelier once walked into our folk club in Exeter after a concert and laughed his socks off. V embarrassing; perhaps he could have done better?! Sorry to rabbit on but I get all excited when I see phonofiddles mentioned - it serves to prove they're not a figment of my demented imagination, at least I think not. Could be the Thomas Hardy's Ale I found in the supermarche today. 12 per cent, it's a bit strong so scuse any mistooks. I'd invite you to come & make sweet music with me Steve but we don't stand much chance with phonofiddles...
Jo