What is this instrument?

Subject: Name that instrument?
From: KT
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:01 AM

A friend brought a wooden, stringed instrument to me today.....It's 25 inches high, 4 inches wide at the base and 6 inches wide at it its widest, in the middle. It narrows toward the top to about 2 inches. The base of it curves slightly, so that it can be held between the knees while it is played.(In that position, the strings face the right, with the bottom of the box facing left. There are 2 sound holes in the the box. ... nine strings. It looks like a cross between a small mountain dulcimer and a harp.....Anyone have any idea what it might be and if so, what is the tuning? Many than

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:08 AM

A lot of instruments of the kind you mention were made around the turn of the century. Lotsa different names as well "Strad-o-harp", "Strad-o-lin", even "Mando-zither". Biggest problem most folks have is finding the right tuning and repacement strings. Hope they have fun with it.

Rick

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Kelida
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:21 AM

Look at this: http://www.larkinam.com/MenComNet/Business/Retail/Larknet/Zithers

Does it look like any of these? Beyond that, I have no other ideas. Also, I don't know anything about these instruments, so beyond maybe helping you identify it by a picture I don't have any more help for you.

Another tip: If you know what country the instrument originated in, you could look through Lark in the Morning's ethnic-origin pages.

Peace-- Keli

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:24 AM

Is this thing plucked or bowed? Fretted? Like Rick said, there are a lot of wacky things out there. I've said before, we go through periods of insrument "creativity" so to speak and some of the nutty things end up making it, others don't.

Have you looked through "Lark in the Morning's" catalog? Anything there that is similar?

Spaw

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: KT
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:26 AM

As I said in my first post....many thanks! (And this time the last two letters made it!) My friend said he rescued it from his daughter who was about to put it in the trash! Arrgghh! I'll check that site, and Keli, great song!

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: KT
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:39 AM

I think I have found it. I do believe it's a kantele! If you are interested, check this site. http://www.chez.com/wmt/instr/kantele/index.html

Sorry, I don't know how to do the blue clicky thing! Yet!

Thanks again for your suggestions! I don't know what I ever did before I found Mudcat Cafe!

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 12:52 AM

Glad you found it!

TRY THIS

Spaw

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: KT
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 01:10 AM

Very cool, catspaw.....Oh great! ANOTHER instrument on my "To learn" list. Thanks for the tip.

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 01:13 AM

Is this related to a "humle"? Scandinavian relative of Mtn. Duclimer? Both are zither family........

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: catspaw49
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 01:19 AM

No Sorch.....The App/Mtn Dulcimer is a LONG ZITHER and this instrument, the Kantele is a BOARD ZITHER like the psalterey or ahmmered dulcimer.

But I wou,dn't mind having some Scandinavian relatives, like maybe a kissin' cousin. Wouldn't happen to be Scandinavian wouldja'?

Spaw

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 01:34 AM

Nope, honey, just Plantation Irish/German, so go kiss somebody else this time, and I'll get in line! But I ain't kissin' Cletus! go to bed, ya gotta see da Judge in the mawnin!

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 07:24 AM

Thank you KT for a music thread.

CH

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 03:00 PM

If it has teeth, it's a musical saw !!!

Art

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: Peg
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 03:55 PM

kantele??
I was gonna say "ukelin" cuz it sounds like something a harp player I know has...

Subject: RE: What is this instrument?
From: kendall
Date: 05 Apr 00 - 04:28 PM

Bowed psaltry?