NGD: Harp Guitar

[jcpst]

I’ve wanted one of these for a long time… but I could never justify the expense.

Then I saw one made by Mr. Wishnevsky. His instruments get some polarizing reactions. Some say they are pure shit, some say they are great instruments that are just not finished all the way. I think I’m somewhere in-between. I see his creations as genuine American folk art.

I’ve only tuned/tested it, but it has a nice, full tone. I’ll mess around with it more after work. I’ll have fun getting used to the bass strings.

 

[jcpst]

Followup. This thing sounds enormous. If I was in a situation where I thought an acoustic guitar would be a little too quiet, I’d reach for this. I think it’s louder than my 70s hofner classical.

Playing it just like a regular 6-string still gives you a little extra. The sympathetic vibrations from the bass strings ring out and give this almost large hall dwelling sound. But it’s not so much that it clashes.

Using the bass strings is awesome. It’s like if you put your face inside a piano and plucked the strings. My thumb keeps getting lost! Normally it holds down a bass line fine. I’m practicing simple songs on it to build that muscle memory. Low to high I tuned them E G A B C D.

 

[Mentaltossflycoon]

 

[Nostradoomus]

Is it wrong to want an electric one of those so I can further my descent into open tuned doom metal madness?

 

[Gordo]

Its all fun and games till your bass player catches you veering into their lane.

 

[gonzo]

I always wanted to try one of those or the really old ones. But they are expensive and big. Finding a case too... Really cool

 

[jcpst]

Is it wrong to want an electric one of those so I can further my descent into open tuned doom metal madness?

Zero percent wrong. That would rule. That makes me want to try a chromatic tuning on the bass strings.

Its all fun and games till your bass player catches you veering into their lane.

He acted like it was cool. But maybe he anguished on the inside.

I always wanted to try one of those or the really old ones. But they are expensive and big. Finding a case too... Really cool

I spent $400 on this one. I jumped on it because he doesn’t normally make these and I’ve never seen a harp guitar anywhere close to that price before. I think I’m going to have to go DIY for the case.

 

[pricklyrobot]

Neat!
I never even heard of a harp guitar before. Now I’m watching videos.

This is the same way I ended up with two(!!) taishōgotos…