As I understand it it’s like a 12-string guitar capoed at the 5th fret. I like to flatpick guitar (problematic volume with the folks I play with) and mando (less so but still not optimal) and wondered if this was the best or the worst of both worlds.
Well, I haven't played one at a session and I'm not a purist. However, I see that you have no posts yet on this thread yet. Have you heard the Dervish CD "Decade" or seen their DVD? They have a 12 string guitar player in the group that teams up with the Octave Mandolin player and Bouzouki player. They worked out intricate arrangements that were awesome. They used special tuning. You might want to give a listen to the (Scottish) Old Blind Dogs in "Close to the Bone" or "Live." Buzzby played awesome (10 string) Cittern with the group. I think someone mentioned here that Andy Irvine of Planxty had a special Guitar-Bouzouki instrument. Sounds unique, and I like unique experiments. Best Wishes.
It is probably meant for the Guitar Player wanting to play Bozouki but is too lazy to learn. I am listening to Old Blind Dogs (Fit?) right now just wanted to say that.
The best and possibly the worst of both worlds I`d say. Then again what would I know, I`m only an oul flute player. Tell you what, if in doubt, dont play either of them!
I believe this is simply a short scale, very small-bodied model that would be tuned to standard pitch.
It's designed as as so-called "backpacking" model because of its unusually small sized body, hence the name "papoose." The specs don't adequately describe its size.
unseen122: Buzzby is with the old Old Blind Dogs. The new group has a great piper but no Cittern.
BobHimself: Yeah- that is what I heard Andy Irvine had made special due to the shape being more comfortable.
Bliss: maybe M.G. can come up with an inflatable guitar for you to slam down when you go on another rant.
On occaision a 12-string players have visited some of our sessions. They seem to be used to more sustain and longer-held notes than usually happen in Irish sessions, and that sort of left them in confusion.
I played a 12-string, capo'd and in standard tuning on an Irish tune for a recording, but I don't think it was ever released.
I know that Dervish usually have the whole band tuned differently (is it up a half-step?), but the role of the 12-string and the bouzouki are really interesting... The zouk usually has the bass lines (such as they are) and the 12 takes a higher part.
I put my 12-string (which gets very little attention these days) in DdAaDdGgAaDd <GG> for a while, and capo'd around with it, and it was fun, but I found it to be too much for me. Too much tuning, too much overall. But then, I'm pretty lazy...
Yes, I have played one of these, and a friend of mine owns a six string which I play as often as he'll let me.
If this is an April Fool Laitch has already let it "out of the bag," as this is simply a "backpacking" guitar, a bit bigger than a tenor uke in size. As a backpacker I've tried every backpacking guitar I've ever been able to lay my hands on. The Papoose is the only one I've found, so far, worth a damn. It really is a fine little instrument and amplifies well.
Although I find the idea of a 12 string backpacking guitar more than a little bit silly.
I've been playing a 12 string in DADGAD with my band for 4 years now. It's sound is very supportive of the songs and the tunes get a real strong chordal support that our fiddler and whistle player enjoy very much. It turns into a rhythm guitar with emphasis on the higher strings with the bass lines added in a secondary function. Using a thin pick and some rhythmic damping technique with the palm of my strumming hand, the sustain usually associated with a 12 string is not a problem. Finger picking, though a little harder on the 12, gives emphasis to the modal chord structures and creates numerous countermelody possibilities, especially in songs and ballads. Try it! You'll like it!
Maybe someone could come up with a full line of miniaturized instruments for all those sessions we could have on 15,000 ft or higher mountain tops. I suppose Michael Gill's inflatable pud could be carried along also. (^:
(almost relevant) Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Not exactly, but I have one of their Mandolins fearturing the same body shape.
There are at least 3 mandos in this line & I have the cheapest (or at least the cheapest available a couple of years back) and I love it. A very mellow sounding mandolin, extremely easy under the fingers. This last benefit may be partly due to the very wide frett-wire used (?) only problem is I noticed just how badly worn my fretts had become a couple of months back & have not fixed the problem yet.
Looks like these fretts wear out much quicker than those on my banjo . My banjo now needs re-fretting after 11-12 years, rather than 2, and not as badly as the mandolin. Even allowing for the added tension on the mandolin, that is quite a difference.
Anyway, I recommend the Tacoma mandolins for celtic or folk (doubt the version I have would be any good for bluegrass though).
anyone ever play one of these in a session?
anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Has anyone any experience with these critters in a session?
http://www.tacomaguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0381410721
As I understand it it’s like a 12-string guitar capoed at the 5th fret. I like to flatpick guitar (problematic volume with the folks I play with) and mando (less so but still not optimal) and wondered if this was the best or the worst of both worlds.
Slag away, purists.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by fidkid
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Well, I haven't played one at a session and I'm not a purist. However, I see that you have no posts yet on this thread yet. Have you heard the Dervish CD "Decade" or seen their DVD? They have a 12 string guitar player in the group that teams up with the Octave Mandolin player and Bouzouki player. They worked out intricate arrangements that were awesome. They used special tuning. You might want to give a listen to the (Scottish) Old Blind Dogs in "Close to the Bone" or "Live." Buzzby played awesome (10 string) Cittern with the group. I think someone mentioned here that Andy Irvine of Planxty had a special Guitar-Bouzouki instrument. Sounds unique, and I like unique experiments. Best Wishes.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
It is probably meant for the Guitar Player wanting to play Bozouki but is too lazy to learn. I am listening to Old Blind Dogs (Fit?) right now just wanted to say that.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
A friend of mine recently bought something he calls a gitouki. I haven't checked it out yet, but he says it's just a zouk with a guitar shaped body.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Do they bounce?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
The best and possibly the worst of both worlds I`d say. Then again what would I know, I`m only an oul flute player. Tell you what, if in doubt, dont play either of them!
Only joking, play away to your hearts content.
Love
Boring Purist.
xxx
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by wreckin` rea
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
I believe this is simply a short scale, very small-bodied model that would be tuned to standard pitch.
It's designed as as so-called "backpacking" model because of its unusually small sized body, hence the name "papoose." The specs don't adequately describe its size.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by ʎɹoʇısuɐɹʇ
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
unseen122: Buzzby is with the old Old Blind Dogs. The new group has a great piper but no Cittern.
BobHimself: Yeah- that is what I heard Andy Irvine had made special due to the shape being more comfortable.
Bliss: maybe M.G. can come up with an inflatable guitar for you to slam down when you go on another rant.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
On occaision a 12-string players have visited some of our sessions. They seem to be used to more sustain and longer-held notes than usually happen in Irish sessions, and that sort of left them in confusion.
I played a 12-string, capo'd and in standard tuning on an Irish tune for a recording, but I don't think it was ever released.
I know that Dervish usually have the whole band tuned differently (is it up a half-step?), but the role of the 12-string and the bouzouki are really interesting... The zouk usually has the bass lines (such as they are) and the 12 takes a higher part.
I put my 12-string (which gets very little attention these days) in DdAaDdGgAaDd <GG> for a while, and capo'd around with it, and it was fun, but I found it to be too much for me. Too much tuning, too much overall. But then, I'm pretty lazy...
stv
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by stv culchie
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Yes, I have played one of these, and a friend of mine owns a six string which I play as often as he'll let me.
If this is an April Fool Laitch has already let it "out of the bag," as this is simply a "backpacking" guitar, a bit bigger than a tenor uke in size. As a backpacker I've tried every backpacking guitar I've ever been able to lay my hands on. The Papoose is the only one I've found, so far, worth a damn. It really is a fine little instrument and amplifies well.
Although I find the idea of a 12 string backpacking guitar more than a little bit silly.
KFG
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Andy Irvine does have a special bouzouki that is shaped like a guitar
http://www.chinatogalway.com/bouzouki%20style%20guitar%20shaped.htm
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by michael_coleman
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
A 19 inch scale length tuned to standard would be very slack unless you use a fairly heavy gauge set of strings. How do you play something that limp?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
How do you know it's a guitar shaped bouzouki, and not merely an 8 string tenor guitar?
KFG
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Is there such a thing?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Bob himself
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
I've been playing a 12 string in DADGAD with my band for 4 years now. It's sound is very supportive of the songs and the tunes get a real strong chordal support that our fiddler and whistle player enjoy very much. It turns into a rhythm guitar with emphasis on the higher strings with the bass lines added in a secondary function. Using a thin pick and some rhythmic damping technique with the palm of my strumming hand, the sustain usually associated with a 12 string is not a problem. Finger picking, though a little harder on the 12, gives emphasis to the modal chord structures and creates numerous countermelody possibilities, especially in songs and ballads. Try it! You'll like it!
12forever
# Posted on April 3rd 2005 by bknjholl
Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Maybe someone could come up with a full line of miniaturized instruments for all those sessions we could have on 15,000 ft or higher mountain tops. I suppose Michael Gill's inflatable pud could be carried along also. (^:
# Posted on April 3rd 2005 by CeolCairdeas
(almost relevant) Re: anyone ever play one of these in a session?
Not exactly, but I have one of their Mandolins fearturing the same body shape.
There are at least 3 mandos in this line & I have the cheapest (or at least the cheapest available a couple of years back) and I love it. A very mellow sounding mandolin, extremely easy under the fingers. This last benefit may be partly due to the very wide frett-wire used (?) only problem is I noticed just how badly worn my fretts had become a couple of months back & have not fixed the problem yet.
Looks like these fretts wear out much quicker than those on my banjo . My banjo now needs re-fretting after 11-12 years, rather than 2, and not as badly as the mandolin. Even allowing for the added tension on the mandolin, that is quite a difference.
Anyway, I recommend the Tacoma mandolins for celtic or folk (doubt the version I have would be any good for bluegrass though).
- Chris
# Posted on April 4th 2005 by ramblingpitchfork