davidbragger - Posted - 08/06/2013:  18:10:33

I just received a gourd banjo-fiddle made by no other than Jeff Menzies! He shipped it from Jamaica yesterday, got it today, tuned it to EBEB and made this video in the first 15 minutes of ownership! It is already one of the prizes of my collection. It is low, deep, haunting, earthy and dare I say it: Magical. He used mahogany wood from a 100 year old bridge that was recently taken down in Jamaica. It is entirely handmade. I think those of you who are into the real old archaic sounds of old time may really enjoy this.

youtube.com/watch?v=-XpWsuTD1D4

--David

Noah Cline - Posted - 08/06/2013:  18:22:59

Very cool. I've seen these on his website. Now all you need is a gourd banjo and gourd fiddle duet!

Bastertone - Posted - 08/06/2013:  19:09:01

Jeff sent me pics of it and I really wanted to hear it, so thanks for posting. Sounds great and has a similar richness found in his banjos. Fantastic.

greenhorn - Posted - 08/06/2013:  19:19:54

Cool. What a great sound!

SoundsGoodToMe - Posted - 08/06/2013:  19:33:02

What a great sound! Nice sawin' too!

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/06/2013:  19:55:36

Stunning! Both the instrument and the playing!

westsideryan - Posted - 08/06/2013:  23:46:36

Very cool!

Dan Gellert - Posted - 08/07/2013:  15:43:57

Yeah buddy!

J-Walk - Posted - 08/07/2013:  19:20:44

I ditto all of the good stuff everyone else has said. 

Would it be rude to ask how much you paid for it?

davidbragger - Posted - 08/07/2013:  20:13:06

Thanks all! I can't stop fiddling with it!! Too much fun!

If you're interested in price, options, etc. I'd just contact Jeff at jeffsbanjer@yahoo.com for the details!

--David

jeffsbanjer - Posted - 08/08/2013:  06:46:24

It took a lot for me to let that fiddle go, i liked it so much! Bragger is the man to play on it though! These gourd fiddles are a lot of fun to make and a lot more work than a banjo. I am starting another one here (if anyone is interested) that utilizes more of a banjo type construction. Synthetic core strings seem to work just fine tuned low.

Jeff Menzies

RG - Posted - 08/08/2013:  10:39:00

"Bragger is the man to play on it though!"

Spot on with that comment Jeff...you sure did make a beautiful sounding instrument, I'm saving my $$$'s as we speak...!

wormpicker - Posted - 08/08/2013:  15:51:25

Way cool!  Beautiful instrument, too.  Have fun playing it, David.!

Paul

JanetB - Posted - 08/09/2013:  10:05:49

Thanks for the video treat. The sound reminds me of a harmonica. 

csbdr - Posted - 08/09/2013:  11:40:25

that was just plain COOOOL!

jeffsbanjer - Posted - 08/10/2013:  10:41:45

Here is the latest.

davidbragger - Posted - 08/12/2013:  19:39:31

Here's a link to another video of this instrument. I found a tune truly deserving of the gourd! 

It's L.N. Porter's "Black Jack Grove." A very archaic, surreal tune.

youtube.com/watch?v=2ZBZvXW3y_Q

Enjoy,

David

RG - Posted - 08/13/2013:  20:01:06

NICE!!!!!  Love that tune...

Edited by - RG on 08/13/2013 20:01:38

Marc Nerenberg - Posted - 08/14/2013:  08:13:11

Black Jack Grove is very cool! I like that it has vocals ... it could do with slightly more interesting lyrics though!