What's the wackiest stringed instrument you've ever seen?

[Muddytone]

Aww man ... have I killed the thread?

 

[Michedelic]

I acquired this Hammerchord, which plays like a toy piano, sounds like a dulcimer:

View attachment 4865151

The hammers bounce on their own, some sort of spring-loaded device inside, so when you press down a piano key it automatically creates a tremolo.

I think there were only 6 of these made in the ATL area before the guy who made it passed away (he also made harps)

I wonder if something like that was used on this Lalo Schifrin track, later sampled by Portishead…

I think that’s Carol Kaye on bass.

 

[Bob E]

 

[Muddytone]

Phew

 

[Mickey666]

Swagerty ukuleles, produced in California in the 1960's. The purpose of the long headstock was so that it could be stuck into the sand while you went out to catch a wave.

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My dad had one of those.

 

[fdeck]

This instrument was actually in widespread use during the Baroque era:

Theorbo - Wikipedia

 

[Vooter]

The Shulberry, created by Gentle Giant for Gentle Giant...

 

[GregT]

I made and upright washtub bass that actually plugs in and works.

 

[Ric5]

Wow ... 3 strings for each note ... except for the lower notes

 

[bholder]

Wow ... 3 strings for each note ... except for the lower notes

And it's fretless! hehe

 

[kesslari]

Bulgarian Gadulka is up there. Fiddle-family instrument with a ton of sympathetic strings. Wonderful sound. I used to play in a band with a guy who played violin and gadulka.

 

[bholder]

Bulgarian Gadulka is up there. Fiddle-family instrument with a ton of sympathetic strings. Wonderful sound. I used to play in a band with a guy who played violin and gadulka.

Ooh reminds me of the Viola d'Amore:

 

[Deleted member 271037]

From my western perspective the wackiest instrument I actually own is an ektar (also know as gopichand and several other names). I guess it wouldn't be considered wacky at all by someone coming from Bangladesh/India/Pakistan where they actually know how to play it properly though.

I just got an ultra-cheap one from Thomann but I've actually used it far more than I thought. I can't say I'm very good at playing it but with the right song/arrangement it can be really cool for creating subtle drones.

 

[mikewalker]

Baryton can be tons of fun!
Fretted, bowed, and sympathetic resonance strings! (batteries not included...)

 

[stevecaronna]

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This guy has some pretty unique instruments.

 

[singlemalt]

 

[Headless horse]

They call this one the Morin khuur.

View attachment 4864539
An esoteric rectangular two-stringed thingy. Goofy instrument.

Keeping a leaderboard for the most bonkers strings instruments. (All instruments must be real items)

1. bholder (post #2)
2. The Owl (post #5)
3.

They call this one the Morin khuur.

View attachment 4864539
An esoteric rectangular two-stringed thingy. Goofy instrument.

Keeping a leaderboard for the most bonkers strings instruments. (All instruments must be real items)

1. bholder (post #2)
2. The Owl (post #5)
3.

Just a little part off - and that will be me.

 

[andvari7]

The Baroque period reminds me of the early Cenozoic, in that there is such a variety of weird creatures, and the forces of evolution ultimately say “Nope, you’re not coming along for the ride.” What we are left with is a significantly reduced diversity (this isn’t entirely accurate, and it doesn’t take the future into account), and a refinement of what works.

 

[Headless horse]

Linda Manzer's "Picasso":

Is it real or i am in Matrix ?

 

[Headless horse]

This 15 string monstrosity

View attachment 4864548 View attachment 4864549

Gozzila bass