One Strange Guitar Tony Cox

Subject: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:15 AM

Check this file photo:

Strange Guitar

I'm trying to figure out exactly what this is. It looks like three saddles on a floating bridge or maybe a wooden resonator. He can sure get some sound out of it!

Tony Cox

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: GUEST,Jayto
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:22 AM

That is some kind of African guitar thing. I have a picture of my brother playing one on my myspace page. He found it for sale in Chattanooga Tennessee. I really dont know that much about it but I do know it is tuned like a guitar and is of African origins.

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:27 AM

The strings appear to go under the centre saddle so the two outer ones are creating upward pressure on it.
Maybe more consistent than the normal downward pressure on a single saddle.
Never seen it on any other instrument but then ......

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:29 AM

Nah, it's Rubiks guitar.

Dave H

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:30 AM

More here

Mervyn Davis Guitars

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 10:35 AM

This is also rather nice. He reminds me of a South African version of John Renbourne.

It was nice to see the Lewes Guitar Festival in the first clip - alas, through lack of sponsorshop - it is no more.

I'm assuming the guitar "horns" are there to give it stability and balance on his knee.

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: GUEST,Jayto
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 11:50 AM

Maybe my brother said it was based off an African instrument. I am not sure I know he said there was some kind of African tie in with it. He said it was a real light guitar but had a ton of volume with alot of mi range. When my computer at home starts working I will post the pic of my brother playing it. He is holding it up where you can get a real good look at the front.
cya
JT

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 12:39 PM

Thanks for posting this link and for identifying this very very fine player to us. There are a number of great videos from this guy on Youtube.

Great guitar too. Thanks for the Mervyn Davis Guitars link too.

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 02 Apr 09 - 04:22 PM

You're welcome Jed! I never heard of Tony Cox until there was a write up about him in this morning's Halifax Herald. Columnist Stephen Cooke says that he played at Stanfest last year, but I was unable to attend. I was fascinated with the picture of his guitar so I found his website and YouTube. I thought that it may be of interest to others who had not heard of him as well.

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: JohnB
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 10:31 AM

Look closely, take of the sticky out additions, remove one string, take the wooden top off and replace it with a bodhran skin.
Lo and behold, you have a BANJO :)
JohnB

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Darowyn
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 11:25 AM

Alternatively, and more in keeping with the tonal quality and pitch envelope, you could replace the wooden disk with a steel cone, and you'd have a biscuit bridge resonator guitar.
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 12:00 PM

Him good, kamosabe!

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: GUEST,tony cox
Date: 28 Mar 16 - 03:03 AM

hi Sandy, I found this recently and thought I would let you know the origins of the guitar. As you've already found out it is a Mervyn Davis Smoothtalker guitar made in South Africa from indigenous wood Kiaat. The guitar holds together with 7 bolts and is louder than any guitar I've ever played. It is a heavy guitar not light as is suggested below. The horns on the guitar help with sustain and stability.
All the best,
tony

Subject: RE: One Strange Guitar Tony Cox
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Mar 16 - 03:17 AM

Anybody know how to get hold of Sandy McLean to tell him of Tony's reply? Both email addresses on his registration bounced.
-Joe-