I was speaking of the two instruments I have been exploring in the process of trying to get my hands back to where they were (or, by preference, where I would like to think they were).
And so to the task:
The two new instruments are: a 12-string fretted cumbus and a 9-string teardrop shaped parlor guitar. At least that's how I see them. Lark in the Morning sells the former as a 12-string banjo, and Dean, that makes the latter, calls it the 'mondo mandolin'.
First, the cumbus. This is a Turkish instrument that was designed to take advantage of technology as defined around 1928 - 1930, when it was developed. The idea was to have an instrument that blended traditional craftsmanship and modern construction methods in the same way that the new Turkey blended the values and traditions of Europe and Asia. Named by Attaturk himself, it has interchangeable necks, and can be used in a variety of roles. The most recognizable, perhaps, is a relatively short, fretless neck and 12 unison strings in 6 courses. In recent years, a version with a fretted neck and octivated bass courses has been gaining a following. It can do things that an acoustic 12-string guitar would find difficult, and vice-versa. It is also harder to tune. You think your 12-string
guitar gets fussy? Try putting the bridge on a plastic banjo head and see what happens. Oh, and that head is measurably thinner than the usual banjo head.Having said all that, it is a real thunderer when played in the style of using the bass strings to carry the melody and the treble strings as a semi-drone. Full-course open chords get a tad problematic, but hit one and then play single notes while the original chord is still ringing .... brill.
More of this anon, and some words of appreciation for the 9-string, as well.
Until that time, cheers.
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