tin (2)

New year, same XXXX

 

Well there we are, another Christmas gone. There seems to have been so many.

 

I got an invite to play at a local pub (bar) on new years eve as part of their festivities. I played a selection of 1960/1970s English pop classics with a 4 string baritone tuned guitar. One of mine.

Songs included 'Honkey tonk angels', Honkey Tonk Women', 'The Ballad of Lucy Jordan', 'Memphis', Brown eyed handsome man' and 'Promised Land'. Things went well and the Landlord and family at the Plough Inn at Swinderby said they really enjoyed it. The landlord also played as did the owner of the local recording studio and several other musicians and singers.

A good night was had by one and all.

 

T'other day I built a 4 string biscuit tin guitar and was delighted with the sound of the instrument. This one is a really basic instrument with a 600 mm scale length and a fret less neck. Pictures to be added once I am at home during the hours of daylight.

I've also ordered a pair of violin finger boards for future fiddles. They are of good quality (not the best) and cost me about £12 plus a couple of quid (English pounds) for postage.

 

I have been learning some old Lincolnshire folk songs for the fiddle. These include 'Lincoln lads',  'Lincolnshire Hornpipe' and 'As Sure As The Devil's In Lincoln'.

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So much to do, so little time.



Hello to you all,

I realise that, as I get older and starting to think about the time that I will retire from work, the time spent at work means that there is less time to build instruments.


I work a really antisocial shift system that means that when I am not working I am usually catching up with sleep and performing all of those domestic toils that take time to complete. The result of these household happenings results in the lack of time for building and playing guitar box and junk instruments.

I have recently finished a 3 string biscuit tin fiddle and I am just adding the final tweaks to a 4 string cigar box fiddle but............

There is the biscuit tin soprano ukulele that was started about a year ago that is gathering dust on the workbench. There is the stand up bass that I want to be able to play with a bow. There is the 'stick' violin idea that I have. The 5 string tin banjo has remained untouched for too long and the playing, rehearsal and recording of songs has for far too long been something that I have failed to address.

I noticed a quote on a website the other day. 'How many guitars should one person own?' Just one more.......
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