Check this puppy out

[sebastiaan56]

An instrument Ive just stumbled across, there are a lot of possibilities for these stringed instrument thingys.

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

[BillyT]

That's another one of Carlson's babies! He builds some pretty unusual stuff! I like this one!

Wouldn't want to tune it though!

[Hesh1956]

I met Fred last summer and he is one hell of a cool guy. he always dresses in purple and truly is one of the most colorful builders to day. I have some pics I took of his work that I will post here when i find them.

[Hesh1956]

BTW he told me that one of his harp guitars can take 6 months to build.......

[BillyT]

BTW he told me that one of his harp guitars can take 6 months to build.......

Believe that Brother! I've slithered around his site a couple of times because it give one some real ideas, this one Sebastian posted below, is kind of mild comparatively.

[matthew]

I have something to say.

I think harp guitars are the most ugly looking family of instrument on this earth.

That is all I have to say.

[Hesh1956]

I have something to say.

I think harp guitars are the most ugly looking family of instrument on this earth.

That is all I have to say.

OK Matthew I completely understand - but think how well they would slice hard boiled eggs and cheese.....

[Hesh1956]

Here is Fred at HGF 2007.

[Rick Turner]

Fred's instruments are amazing, and they sound gorgeous. He lives and works about eight miles from me, and I helped put together a museum exhibit of harp guitars at the Museum of Making Music where Fred's work was wonderfully presented along with about 30 vintage harp guitars and eight or so contemporary pieces.

www.museumofmakingmusic.org

[BillyT]

I think harp guitars are the most ugly looking family of instrument on this earth.

I have to agree with you on this! But this setup with the harp in the body itself I kind of like! The big goobely box running up the side leaves me a little flat, looks uncomfortable to play.

As much as Carlson's work is way out there, and most of the early stuff made me go.... Huhn?, he's getting better and better at it! I like the big double neck, in the forefront, Hesh posted!! I like that a lot!

I'm a HUGE fan of double necks though!

[Dave White]

Fred's instruments are just fabulous!!

Billy - if you like double necks, what about this one:

[sebastiaan56]

Thanks for the pictures guys, particularly the group shot Hesh. I like the one at the front a lot, the way the frets appear to bend between the two bouts is really really really cool. I assume its some kind of inlay.

Thanks for the museum link Rick, my kind of place.

I have never played a guitar like this but Pat Metheny does make it look simple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euFmx_wtsoo There are some serious aesthetic possibilities left in these instruments.

[Dave Anderson]

Wild stuff from Mr. Carlson but very cool i think. I have never played a harp guitar either but would love to someday soon! a lot of great shots here I like the one on the right on Freds table. And Dave Whites double neck looks really nice! Thanks for that link Rick!! I liked the Howe-Orme article.
I like this kind of stuff! Thanks...

[BillyT]

Billy - if you like double necks, what about this one:

HEY!!! Who built that?

Nice work Dave! Pretty small for a double neck, do you get to play it much?

AND WHERE ARE THE PUPPIES! THE THREAD SAID THERE WAS PUPPIES!

[kiwigeo]

I have never played a guitar like this but Pat Metheny does make it look simple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euFmx_wtsoo There are some serious aesthetic possibilities left in these instruments.

I haven't watched the video (on a slow sat linke here at work) but I assume hes playing his Linda Manzer built Piccasso guitar. I saw him playing it in concert in Adelaide last year. When he pulled the instrument out there was an audible gasp from those in the audience who had never seen it before.