Comment

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on October 11, 2011 at 7:18am

Hi SJ.

You are far too kind, but what the hell. I'll lap up the compliments. Thanks very much and good to know that as well as a new friend you are an old friend.

All the best.

John

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on September 22, 2011 at 8:03am

Hi Mark.

The long neck was something that I thought about. It wouldn't be hard to do. The only changes would be a longer bass neck tube and two short nuts instead of one long one going across between the two necks. The reason I didn't is that I thought that the note I would want most (the octave below the lowest normal string) wouldn't be as easily available. You couldn't get the slide on to it because of the bridge for the three string neck. I would probably have ended up putting a capo (not easy to do on this instrument) on it at that point and then I would be where I am now. I think it would look better than it would play. 

Fascinating information on the song. As an orthodox agnostic jewish quaker with an interest in buddhism the religious aspect isn't so strong for me either, but it can be a very moving song and does have one of those melodies that just seems to be perfect.

All the best.

John

Comment by Mark on September 22, 2011 at 2:04am

Have you thought about the implications of using a sort of inverse of of the banjo arrangement for a bass string? On a banjo the extra string is tuned higher and is shorter BUT it is nevertheless arranged so that it can use the same frets as the other strings. Logically you could also have a lower-tuned string that's longer and extends beyond the nut/headstock of the main strings - all strings would have their bridge at the same longitudinal position and you could fret (or place a slide) across all strings simultaneously. Of course that would require a significantly different arrangement at the headstock end compared to what you have currently.

 

On a different matter entirely, the tune you are playing was apparently originally known as "New Britain" - it was first used as a backing for the words of Amazing Grace in 1835, however the two have different roots. The words were written by John Newton in England around 1772, the tune (one of many to which the words were set) is more vague in its origins, derived from two other tunes which in turn have roots that seem lost to history - I believe there's a suggestion they might come from Scottish tunes that got taken to the States by immigrants and incorporated into Southern folk music. So if, like me, you're one of those for whom the religious associations strike no chord then you can still appreciate it as folk music and as a great tune. And of course it has great secular importance as a civil rights anthem.

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on September 15, 2011 at 8:48pm

Hi Larry.

Thanks for the comment. Yes. A bass string or two is never wasted. Have fun with whatever you decide to make.

All the best.

John

Comment by Larry McInnes on September 15, 2011 at 1:27pm

Wow wow wow.  That was great.  I knew I bought that bass string for a reason.  Thanks for the extra inspiration.

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on September 14, 2011 at 11:40am

Hi Steve.

Thank you for your comments. I suppose a double neck sort of makes it two instruments(ish). Thanks again.

John

Comment by dogfinger steve on September 14, 2011 at 10:03am

wow.... sounds like two guitars and more! nicely played there john, very thoughtful arrangement n liked the minor touches. cheers:0)

Comment by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on September 10, 2011 at 9:56pm

Hello Professor, Chuck and Rodney.

Thank you very much for the encouragement. I really appreciate you leaving these comments.

Thanks again.

John

Comment by rodney fruits on September 10, 2011 at 6:45pm

Looks great and sounds great!  Great video too John!  

Comment by Chuck Dubman on September 10, 2011 at 7:36am

Beautiful playing.  Box sounds alive.

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