My First Attempt at Making a 12-string Monochord (DIY Instrument)

I've always wanted a monochord so I decided to make one. Instead of zither pins, I used machine tuners. The only thing I had to buy for this project was the guitar strings. I used wood scraps I had on hand for the rest of it.

See more Musical DIY Projects here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwIixlr7C6KUbPfAgFP6Sn4D46L0i0CQD

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Comment by Poorness Studios on May 26, 2023 at 1:09am

Thanks John. I really appreciate that.

Comment by Uncle John on May 25, 2023 at 7:56am

Good. Thanks on the weather stripping.  Hmm.  It might be good where the dog bowl reso goes into the box on the banjo I am building.  I think you have come a long way Kale.  In musicianship, craftsmanship and showmanship.  Good ship all around!  Keep it up. 

Comment by Poorness Studios on May 25, 2023 at 7:21am

Those Pony clamps are great. The weatherstripping is there because I didn't want to glue the bottom on (in case I need to do more feedback prevention later) but the board wasn't perfectly flat, so I wanted to make sure it had a good seal. You know the old adage... if the air gets out the sound gets out.

Comment by Uncle John on May 25, 2023 at 7:18am

First off.  I got to get me a Pony Clamp.  What is the idea with the weather stripping?  Hmm.  Interesting.   You must have quite the collection.

Comment by Poorness Studios on May 25, 2023 at 2:00am

Yeah, you got it AD, I think it would make a good drone for a background. So cool to hear all those string vibrating in unison.

Comment by A.D.EKER on May 25, 2023 at 1:33am

Maybee a Drone Tuning ?

Comment by A.D.EKER on May 25, 2023 at 1:32am

I expected some sitar hammers ,it lets you play rhythmic on the Monochord, but you must be more use to your hands ,playing the Bong and all the other metal rhythm cones you have, it does not play like a harp verry well i think? but the sound is nice whit a bit of reverb.

Comment by Poorness Studios on May 25, 2023 at 1:19am

That might be a challenge. I suppose it could be a background drone.

Comment by Doug Thorsvik on May 24, 2023 at 3:12pm

Very interesting build Kale!

How about a Sunday Song with this? Could be tricky!

Comment by Poorness Studios on May 24, 2023 at 11:32am

Yeah. I had no clue how to tune it so I just picked a random scale and string gauge and it tunes up really nice to a C# (no rattles and not too tight). You could probably go with a heavier string and get a B or even an A. I think it'd be really cool to have a couple strings tuned in a higher octave.

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