What is it?

[jim simpson]

I found this today at a yard sale. At first I thought it was a tamboura but it only has 4 tuning pegs.
Anyone know what it is?

[jim simpson]

Here's a shot of the headstock:

[jim simpson]

I found this on the web doing a little further research.
"A tamburitza typically has four to six steel strings differing in thickness and pitch".
It looks like that is what I have.
I actually heard Roland White (at a clinic at a one-day festival in NJ a few years back) play a duet with a tamburitza player. It was odd but it worked.

[MikeEdgerton]

Hey, check out the motto for the site tamburaland.com (http://www.tamburaland.com/site/). "Promoting flat singing and broken English". I like these guys already. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[MikeEdgerton]

A tamburitza jam... I can't believe they don't have a banjo in this jam...

[jim simpson]

"A tamburitza jam... I can't believe they don't have a banjo in this jam..." #- Mike

Mike,
That's hysterical! I can't find a bluegrass jam here in Wheeling, perhaps I can hook up with a tamburitza jam!

I can't find how to tune up this baby. I thought I understood one site to say that all of the strings are tuned the same. Could that be right?

[MikeEdgerton]

Jim, I don't have that answer but if you check in on the boards at the Tamburitza Cafe (http://www.tamburitza.org/TAA/) they should be able to give you a hand. As for tuning the strings the same, I think they are referring to the instruments that have multiple courses of strings.

By the way, the Pittsburgh area seems to be a hotbed for the tamburitza players. It probably has spilled over to your area.

[jim simpson]

Thanks Mike,
Now I have to see if I can get a custom tone-guard for it, how much a Price or James tailpiece will add to the tone, and can I get a custom Carlton case for it. Oh yeah, it was only $5.00.
Jim

[12 fret]

Be sure to check the label to see if it was signed by Ahmed Loar, the famed tamburzita luthier, could double the value

[MikeEdgerton]

Jim, adding strings and a bridge will enhance the tone greatly. You can take that to the bank.

12 fret, this is not a Loar, it doesn't have F holes. Jeesh. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[12 fret]

Did I say Loar/ My bad, I was looking at the headstock and it just screams Martin/Stauffer.

[jim simpson]

Yee Gads, I don't believe it! I just looked in the hole and look what I saw:

[Jim Garber]

I have this wonderful group photo of a taburitza emsemble.

I also scored a great Telecaster style instrument (I thought I has some pics) made in Pittsburgh -- one of the the American centers of Tamburitza playing. As you can see they come in all sizes like mandolins.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

This from the Acuff book of instruments.

Jim

[12 fret]

There would be more tamburzita groups today but for the tragic gang violence that erupted between them and the better funded mandolin orchestras funded by Orville. No shootings, but the East Coast Posse tamburzita's were often found garroted by a mandolin A string. The Midwest Posse mandoliners were suspected but no arrests were made. Tensions remain high to this day.

[Michael Wolf]

Can anybody tell what tuning is common on Taburitza?
Jims instrument does have this interesting fret alignment above the 5th fret. On jgarbers Photo the one on the right has it too, while the others have standard fret alignment. Any info about that?
This may be a hint that they are normally playing in some specific scales, like the turkish Saz players.

[mandopete]

Oh come on, it's really just a bass!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jim simpson]

Update:
I just received this response from Joseph R. Novosel -
President, Tamburitza Association of America.

"Your instrument appears to be an old Farkas system bisernica. I definitely wouldn't have the answer to your question in my head, but I might be able to answer it from my library. Given me a few days to see what I can come up with for you. If I dead end, I'll pass you on to others who can probably help".