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Comment by Glenn Kaiser on May 14, 2016 at 5:09pm

Well, you inspired bro.! Did my homework all over the web, then turned my father-in-law onto this. Mine is scrap wood, glued up, about 50 percent finished. Will post pics when done. Busy the next few days but hopefully next week prior to tour. Rustic... truly. But such fun! Thanks Jock! -Glenn

Comment by Dave Lynas on May 14, 2016 at 11:44am

Thanks for the info Jock. Cool!

Comment by Jock MacHinery on May 14, 2016 at 12:09am

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

Glenn - the strings are made of 25 twisted strands of real horsehair. I use superglue to retain the knots as the hair is slippery.Tuning is D and G. The Gue has only the 2 strings (unlike Jouhikkos and other lyres), both being played together. The D is just left as a drone and the G is "fretted by placing the backs of the fingers against the string. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_mQjqSsulk

BTW Shetland was part of Norway until C15th, hence the Norse/Scandinavian connection.

Comment by Dave Lynas on May 13, 2016 at 2:32pm

It's like a Finish instrument. A Yohiko(sp?). Played with your finger nails for slides on the home made horse hair strings. Love this instrument. Nice job!

Comment by Glenn Kaiser on May 13, 2016 at 2:12pm

One more q, sorry for all these but... intrigued! HOW do you play it re. moving notes up and down on the 2 strings? Or are you simply hearing nothing but the two open-string notes period?? Thx again Jock. -Glenn

Comment by Glenn Kaiser on May 13, 2016 at 2:03pm

Wow, COOL! Not to mention I love Scotland. Anyhow, are they always 2 strings... and WHAT are those strings? How are they tuned? Many thanks and kudos for a cool instrument Jock. -Glenn