BS: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay

Subject: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 01:13 AM

I am glad this thing sold, I might have bought it for conversation value. Check this out--solid body, 5 string electric fiddle......hope the link works for a while. CLICK . I think it is just beautiful, but probably really heavy, and I HATE all electric fiddles......

Subject: RE: BS: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 02:29 AM

yee gods!

Looks like someone with too little respect for violins had WAY too much time on their hands. If Michael Flatley or Kenny G. were fiddle players, this would have to be either of their instruments. (Kinda gives me a cool image of them fighting to the death to own it).

pax yall

Subject: RE: BS: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay
From: Sourdough
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 02:41 AM

That fiddle reminded me that technology has led to the development of some strange instruments going back many years.

When I was in grade school, I became friendly with a bandleader from the twenties. He played violin. On their regular play dates, he played a regular violin but when they went into the (Bluebird) recording studios, he took out his steel fiddle with a little horn on it, I guess at the bottom below the tailpiece.

His position during recording was right in front of the acoustical recording horn. Behind him, in larger and larger semi-circles based on its loudness, the other intruments were arranged around the horn. All the way in the back was a bass horn which did the string double bass parts on the recording.

I wonder what other strange instruments people can add to this list of two odd fiddles.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay
From: InOBU
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:43 AM

Reminds me about a project I had in High School... I made a neck for, but never finished a five string fiddle, where - like a five string banjo, there was a short string on the right, so their would be a high drone string on the down stroke on the lower string, never finished it, and always wondered if it would sound nifty, the result of having a piper design a fiddle, eh? Larry

Subject: RE: BS: Really Weird 'Fiddle' on eBay
From: GUEST,NH Dave
Date: 25 Dec 00 - 10:55 AM

One of the bass players with the Strathspey and Reel Society of NH made a five string bass using about 5' of stainless steel ducting, salvaged from an older high school chemistry lab hood, an enclosure power vented to the outside where noxious processes can be done without affecting the others in the lab. When I didcussed it with him he said that he had added the fifth string to make it easier to access sone of the notes without having to go way doen the neck.

Since it is rather heavy he has mounted two small wheels on the bottom so he can trundle it from his vehicle to where ever he is playing and back.

Dave