Mystery instrument - Can anyone identify?

**Dusepo** · Nov-06-2010, 5:00pm

I run a website all about different string instruments from around the world and got an e-mail asking me what this instrument is. I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea and wondered if anyone here might?

According to the e-mail, the frets (presumably those sliding metal bits) are moveable and there are 7 peg holes and 7 holes for pins at the other end.

Anyone have any idea?

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**Jim Garber** · Nov-06-2010, 5:05pm

That is one strange thing. I would think maybe a one-off experimental stringed instrument. It doesn't quite make sense to me. I only see 3 peg holes for tuning. Where to the other 4 strings attach?

**Ed Goist** · Nov-06-2010, 5:21pm

The Stewie Griffin Seven String Irish Bouzouki

**Matt DeBlass** · Nov-06-2010, 9:08pm

Looks Middle Eastern, possibly Persian. Could be some variant of a tanbur or baglama. Usually instruments with movable frets have gut or cord, but there's no reason this couldn't be an attempt to modernize. This page might be able to help you narrow it down. A big help might be to try to find out how long the thing is.

**Dusepo** · Nov-08-2010, 11:15am

Originally Posted by Matt DeBlass

A big help might be to try to find out how long the thing is.

Originally Posted by e-mail said

It stands 44 inches tall, it is 15 inches wide, and it is 4 inches thick at the bridge

Any help?

**Ray(T)** · Nov-09-2010, 4:15am

Never seen anything like it before but my guess - and its only a guess - is that it's something an amateur non-musician put together in the garage. (i) the construction looks rather crude and (ii) if you don't really know about music you might think its useful to have "frets" that could be repositioned.

**Dusepo** · Nov-09-2010, 2:19pm

Originally Posted by Ray(T)

if you don't really know about music you might think its useful to have "frets" that could be repositioned.

What about the Indian sitar? The Turkish saz? The European lute? All have movable frets - The first metal, the other two tied gut.

**lenf12** · Nov-09-2010, 2:40pm

Originally Posted by Ray(T)

Never seen anything like it before but my guess - and its only a guess - is that it's something an amateur non-musician put together in the garage.......

Put together in the garage implies that the builder owns a car. This looks like it was built by someone who rides a camel or donkey, possibly a rickshaw...

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

**nickster60** · Nov-10-2010, 11:58am

I think it is a "Stewiefone". Ed had it right from the start

**Ray(T)** · Nov-11-2010, 7:55am

Originally Posted by Dusepo

What about the Indian sitar? The Turkish saz? The European lute? All have movable frets - The first metal, the other two tied gut.

Yes but all these are recognisable instruments built with some finesse. The instrument you have doesn't look particularly old and no-one can put a name to it. As I said, it was only a guess.

**Ray(T)** · Nov-11-2010, 7:57am

Originally Posted by lenf12

Put together in the garage implies that the builder owns a car. This looks like it was built by someone who rides a camel or donkey, possibly a rickshaw...

Also yes and, if the software that came with my Mac is to be believed, people in the US also rehearse bands in there!