OK, so I figure that we are all into unusual instruments as we have all ended up here on this forum. Feeling inspired by StickJan's admission to owning bagpipes, I was wondering what instruments you guys have genuinely hankered after over the years. By that, I mean no cheating and just listing a bunch of weird stuff, keep to things that you have genuinely wanted.

For me, I have always had a passing desire to get both a mandolin and a banjo, and have seriously looked into finding cheap 'uns on eBay. But the real big one for me is a piano accordion of some kind. I remember as a kid being fascinated by seeing a big one with keys and buttons all over being played beautifully. Always stuck with me.

In more recent times I have been fascinated by the igil. It's a two string instrument and there's a great video here of an 'electrified' performance:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=l6RZ5NdbleQ

So what has tickled your fancy in an enduring way!?!

I'm quite fascinated with harp guitars (with both the bass and higher treble strings), here's John Doan:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dBPZ5kvhIXw

Here's the most elaborate one I've ever seen:

http://www.beyondthetrees.com/NDphoto.html

Rob I guess you will like this,
http://accordsetacordes.webjalles.org/IMG/Extrait_Night_and_Day.mp3




The instrument is called a stickharp and the player is Naki. You can find a couple of pictures in the web but I couldn't find any videos.

Cheers, Daniel

I play a little "Cross-Strung Harp". It has two groups of strings that lets you play the harp Chromatically with no levers. The natural strings run from top right to bottom left. The sharps and flats run from top left to bottom right. Very difficult instrument to learn.



Note: This is not my Harp. Mine is much smaller.

I've allways wanted to get an old (cheap) upright piano and "prepare" it. Of course, that would also involve having a place to live. Maybe I'll prepare the old piano here in the dining room at the nursing home before I leave-it's out of tune,missing strings,hammers,and no one ever plays it anymore. As a parting "gift". Where's the paper clips?

Harry Partch

The "strange" instrument "I" took up was the Chapman Stick!!

A theremin for me!

http://www.music123.com/Hohner-Kazoo-420558-i1133577.Music123

The ultimate one-man band instrument in combo with the Stick.

Cheers,
Andy

Funny you mentioned that Rob, I was just watching Michael Hedges playing a Harp Guitar on YouTube and that's something I'd really like to try as well.

I've also been looking at Alto Guitars, wondering if I could possibly tune and play it like the AcouStick.

http://www.cathedralguitar.com/Cucculelli11.html

Kris

Yeah, that's what I was thinking when I opened this thread!

My girlfriend just got me a Mini Guerembi, so that's kind of fun.