CL Find????

[Joe M]

OK, I give, what is it?????

 

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/msg/4627451737.html

[BigKahune]

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Looks like a hammer dulcimer to me.

 

Here's a modern example -

 

 

And playing -

[zombywoof]

It is a ukelin. It is strung with zither strings and you play it with a bow. More than likely from the 1920s when they were all the rage.

[BigKahune]

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Never knew. Odd, but interesting.

 

 

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[zombywoof]

I have had one which is why I knew what it was (I will take a stab at playing anything with strings). It is pretty much a kind of bowed psaltery.

[onewilyfool]

Here's another Ukelin with explanation:

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/msg/4601791677.html

[Joe M]

Thanks, guys. I have heard of a ukelin but never knew what one was. Did you fret the strings with your fingers or use a bar like slide?

[Gibson Artist]

I have had one which is why I knew what it was (I will take a stab at playing anything with strings). It is pretty much a kind of bowed psaltery.

I wonder how you get strings for something like that? I have an Apple Creek Dulcimer and wouldnt mind a similar instrument :)

[onewilyfool]

by the way….this is just my humble opinion…..but …….It is really rare to find a "CL Find" on craigslist anymore…….too much info, too many books, everyone charging George Gruhn prices on their instruments, whether they need $1000 of work or not…..very rare to find a deal on CL any more…..sigh….ah for the good old days!!!

[E-minor7]

 

And played with a bow ?? Wow !!

 

 

 

[Gibson Artist]

 

And played with a bow ?? Wow !!

[E-minor7]

 

▲mazingly graceful

 

 

 

 

 

[zombywoof]

Thanks, guys. I have heard of a ukelin but never knew what one was. Did you fret the strings with your fingers or use a bar like slide?

 

 

I paid like $5 for the thing at a flea market. When I got hold of it there was no interweb and ukelin players were not exactly lurking around every corner to give me some pointers. So I had to do alot of experimenting to try and learn out how to play the thing. I did know a bit about the psaltery though so ended up putting it in open tuning and bowed it with my right hand while using my left thumb and other fingers to strum, play in harmony or accent the bowed notes. Based on the video though I was pretty much on target.

 

The one instrument I was always on the lookout for but never ran into was what was called a Table Violin. Basically it was a larger body fiddle with a flat back that you played like a lap instrument.