r/UnusualInstruments 6h ago

What is this? Mystery 4-stringed instrument.

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12 Upvotes

I work in an instrument repair shop and a customer won this thing in an auction and wants us to fix it up, but I can't figure out what it is. Overall length is 24 inches. Main body length is 18 inches. There's a very faint impression between the two holes in the center 1.5 inches long, about an eighth of an inch thick. There are two more impressions near the tail end on either side about an inch or so long from the edge with one impression being much clearer and deeper towards the edge like that side was under more pressure/tension. The friction pegs are overall 5 inches long. The slots in the ends are about half an inch deep. From the outside edge of one outer peg to the outside edge of the other outer peg is 3 inches. Thanks!


r/UnusualInstruments 1d ago

Samsung Washing Machine (English Concertina)

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92 Upvotes

"Die Forelle" by Franz Schubert. It's silly but works so well on this instrument.

youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/rhfbmMHLDSY?si=RMlFyqlwM45HVfQF


r/UnusualInstruments 1d ago

What's the instrument in this intro?

2 Upvotes

Is it clarinet? If anyone knows for sure your input would be much appreciated.

Space are a really underrated 90s alt band from the UK if anyone is interested.

https://youtu.be/z3yCa_Li04Y?is=FyGTsUIR7DCq9Azf


r/UnusualInstruments 1d ago

G Euphonium Bugle Fingering Chart

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1 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 2d ago

Has anyone ever seen something like this before? I can't find it online.

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0 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 3d ago

Beautiful piece with traditional instrument

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8 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 4d ago

Looking for an unusual instrument!

11 Upvotes

Back in the early internet days, I stumbled upon a site with a cartoon Latin jazz band that you could orchestrate by clicking on the different players and their instruments. One player had a “cup” of glass (maybe metal) and he had something in his hand like a wool ball that he would push in and out of the cup to make a sound; like when you pull a straw in and out of a plastic cup lid. What is this instrument called?!


r/UnusualInstruments 4d ago

Live performance of John Coltrane's "My One and Only Love" with a custom 14-string electric guitar and foot drums

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3 Upvotes

A brief excerpt from my live performance at "ai300scalini" in Bologna, Italy. I am playing John Coltrane's iconic jazz standard simultaneously on a custom-built 14-string electric guitar and a foot drum kit. Every part of the arrangement is executed live without loops.Any feedback on the arrangement or the technical setup is welcome.


r/UnusualInstruments 4d ago

Luca Stricagnoli

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121 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 4d ago

What instrument is this? (Sound in comments)

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18 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 5d ago

Renault F1 engine playing God Save the Queen

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8 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 5d ago

How to play? Mouth bow

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12 Upvotes

Recently got this mouth bow (was supposed to be cheap. Shipping and tarrifs quickly changed that).

But it looks different than the ones used in any videos I can find of people playing one.

How do I even hold this thing to make it sound right?

Should I try to cut down the end piece so it can fit between my lips like some other bows I've seen?


r/UnusualInstruments 6d ago

Evolano: a pitch pending piano (well, sorta...) by Clark Battle

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6 Upvotes

In a comment two years ago Clark wrote that he's still working on it - a version 4 at that time, but other than that I can't find any update. If you are interested in the instrument I want to encourage you to comment on his video to show interest and hopefully to move Clark to give us an update.


r/UnusualInstruments 6d ago

Picked this up a few months back, only has 3 strings but it's meditative to play

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29 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 7d ago

I've started a new podcast dedicated to instrument makers! The idea is that instrument makers chat about topics meaningful to them in their field. What sort of content would you be interested in seeing in the future?

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15 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 8d ago

Imagine sitting around a campfire 1,000 years ago listening to this being played

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382 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 7d ago

Not the most unusual, but Musical Saw is fun.

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31 Upvotes

It's true


r/UnusualInstruments 9d ago

pitch bend/improvisation on asalato, a west african percussion instrument

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1.3k Upvotes

notation system is one i created called HTH (hand-to-hand) notation, which uses percussion like "stickings" as directions for each technique on asalato

thanks for watching!


r/UnusualInstruments 8d ago

Which instrument is the best decoration in a house

6 Upvotes

I had a debate with a friend of my the other day about. we are classical musicians. And we came up with 3 really good options. And if you other opinions plz share

Piano in the living room or bedroom on the wall adjacent to the window

A double bass in the Conner of a bedroom or living room

Guitar/violin in size Oder or by color on a wall any room beside bathroom or kitchen of course


r/UnusualInstruments 8d ago

Mini upright bass

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15 Upvotes

1974 violin + silicone string + pickup


r/UnusualInstruments 10d ago

Unusual for sure!

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445 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 11d ago

Michael Manring with what he calls a Hyperbass, it has a three-octave fretless fingerboard and can instantly change to alternate tuning with levers at the top.

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223 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 11d ago

Bass Domra

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70 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 11d ago

I was today years old when I learned about the hurdy gurdy. 😁

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396 Upvotes

r/UnusualInstruments 12d ago

What is this?

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211 Upvotes

Found in an antique store in Molong, NSW. Plays chords when blown and different major chords when the keys are pressed. Any idea of what it is called / when it is from? Thanks so much