Human Guitarists Play Humanitar
August 24, 2014
SINGING HILL - Luthier Fred Carlson has built and exhibited what is, as far as he knows, the only world's only anthropomorphic harp-guitar, and it (or he) is an amazing fellow. The Humanitar has 40 strings including the everyday sort, harp strings, strings that can be individually bowed, and strings strung like a Japanese koto, where one can create a sort of vibrato by plucking on one side of the bridge and pushing on the string on the other side. It is shaped like a person standing on one leg (which as a sneaker), and the peg head has a nose, eyes, and a mouth, which Fred says all peg heads should have. Fred has had the idea for the Humanitar for about ten years and spent about 6-8 months building it. It was designed for one player but proved fun for team playing. The instrument has yet to be sold. ¶