Unofficial Taylor Guitar Forum - UTGF

The Lounge => The Lounge => Topic started by: Cindy on January 19, 2012, 09:35:13 AM

Title: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: Cindy on January 19, 2012, 09:35:13 AM
After reading about Taylor's ukulele and the interest it is generating, I looked online to read up about them. I came across an instrument called a Guitalele (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitalele) which supposedly is a cross between a guitar and a ukulele. Of course there are other stringed instruments such as a mandolin and lute plus many others too numerous to mention.

I'm satisfied with just the guitar (had to learn the orchestral strings in college) but don't play any other stringed instruments. What other stringed instruments do you play or would want to learn if money wasn't an issue? Or are you content with GAS?
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: jjrpilot-admin on January 19, 2012, 11:00:26 AM
After reading about Taylor's ukulele and the interest it is generating, I looked online to read up about them. I came across an instrument called a Guitalele (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitalele) which supposedly is a cross between a guitar and a ukulele. Of course there are other stringed instruments such as a mandolin and lute plus many others too numerous to mention.

I'm satisfied with just the guitar (had to learn the orchestral strings in college) but don't play any other stringed instruments. What other stringed instruments do you play or would want to learn if money wasn't an issue? Or are you content with GAS?

The cello hands down.  I love those!  I'm too old to learn...and there are too many Taylor guitars/ukes now to try now...  :-[
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: byrd on January 19, 2012, 11:12:38 AM
If money wasn't an issue, time would still be a big one for me.   I could sit with my guitar for hours, but unfortunately that's not realistic on a day to day basis.  :(  I have a LONG way to go before I am where I would like to be.   I just can't think of investing that kind of time into learning a new instrument at this stage of my life.  I really wish I was more exposed to music at a young age... kind of like children who learn multiple languages very young.

I will say, however, that the Guitalele looks very intriguing.  I had never heard of them before.  This little demo on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrHL0BrbLOk&feature=related) has a nice little description.  It's basically a Ukalele with 2 extra low strings.  It's tuned just like a guitar with a capon on the 5th fret.  That might be fun little toy to mess around with at some point in the future...
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: tnfiddler on January 19, 2012, 11:34:53 AM
I play the fiddle and do alright on the upright bass!  I too agree with the cello comment!  Beautiful instrument.  I would love to play banjo too but the fiddle and guitar take up all my practice time.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: Cindy on January 19, 2012, 11:43:20 AM
If money wasn't an issue, time would still be a big one for me.   I could sit with my guitar for hours, but unfortunately that's not realistic on a day to day basis.  :(  I have a LONG way to go before I am where I would like to be.   I just can't think of investing that kind of time into learning a new instrument at this stage of my life.  I really wish I was more exposed to music at a young age... kind of like children who learn multiple languages very young.

I will say, however, that the Guitalele looks very intriguing.  I had never heard of them before.  This little demo on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrHL0BrbLOk&feature=related) has a nice little description.  It's basically a Ukalele with 2 extra low strings.  It's tuned just like a guitar with a capon on the 5th fret.  That might be fun little toy to mess around with at some point in the future...

Thanks for the video link! According to it, he says the strings can be tuned like a guitar (although the lowest string doesn't have a lot of tension on it). The instrument can then double as a travel guitar as well as a uke (if only using the top strings). Pretty interesting!

Josh, I had to learn to play the cello a little...playing it IS an incredible experience. :D Of the brass instruments, I really liked the baritone. I already play the flute, but the most difficult of ANY instrument I've ever had to learn was the bassoon. But there's just something about stringed instruments....:)
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: bo1142 on January 19, 2012, 12:40:04 PM
I play the mandolin and bass.  I don't really have time for any others, but if Taylor were to make a uke, I would have to own one of those.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: jjrpilot-admin on January 19, 2012, 12:43:40 PM
I play the mandolin and bass.  I don't really have time for any others, but if Taylor were to make a uke, I would have to own one of those.

They are making ukes.   ;D
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on January 19, 2012, 12:56:37 PM
At some point I would like to learn the mandolin and bass guitar.  Right now I am being disciplined and sticking to the guitar - I do grab my ukulele from time to time to have some fun and plug in my electric when I feel like channeling Jimmy Page.

I'm visiting the Martin factory in February and looking forward to see their manufacturing process, I have been to the Gibson Acosutic factory in MT and someday will get to the Taylor factory.  I am interested in the Martin ukes but hoping Taylor hurries up and puts out one themselves - preferably a tenor uke.

It seems (to me) they are not responding to the popularity of the instrument quick enough.  I would think that they could manufacture a ukulele at the Mexico facility at a nice price point.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: cjd-player on January 19, 2012, 01:13:27 PM
I'm with Josh on wishing I could play the cello.

Right now I know how to make small snippets of music with a mandolin, 
and I can strum and pluck a few strings on a banjo (but don't tell anyone ;).)
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: bo1142 on January 19, 2012, 03:38:28 PM
I play the mandolin and bass.  I don't really have time for any others, but if Taylor were to make a uke, I would have to own one of those.

They are making ukes.   ;D

I should had specified a reasonably priced uke.  I wonder if they would consider building me only the uke, since I already have a K24ce ;D
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: michaelw on January 19, 2012, 06:15:13 PM
I should had specified a reasonably priced uke.  I wonder if they would consider building me only the uke, since I already have a K24ce ;D
but the guitar is a GS model, which would complement your K26ce quite nicely, & the GSceLTD K-BR
(i'm guessing on the name) has solid lining & side braces that are likely adapted from R Taylor :o
http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/builders-reserve/series-iv (http://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/builders-reserve/series-iv)
the uke is hand-built with matching inlays & the guitar looks like it has koa tuner buttons :)

i guess i'm not helping much, am i ???

oh well, i tried ;)
alrighty ... moving along then :-[
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: Andromeda on January 19, 2012, 07:13:47 PM
I weas given an autoharp yesterday. I am very eager to learn how to play it.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: Scriptor on January 20, 2012, 11:37:52 AM
What other stringed instruments do you play or would want to learn if money wasn't an issue? Or are you content with GAS?

Other than acoustic & electric guitar, I play the following (decently at least):

Mandolin
Tenor Guitar
Banjo
Bass guitar

I have tried violin in the past but I could never really master the bow ...
As far as confidence in public with other musicians, Tenor Guitar and Mandolin.  Banjo is just so much fun and I'm decent enough to play my limited repertoire... Bass guitar is a new endeavor and I'm going through a book right now to try and get more proficient ... it's hardest to find the time to devote to these other instruments though I find them very enjoyable ...
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: barefooter on January 20, 2012, 03:12:21 PM
Good topic Cindy,

I am still trying to learn guitar.....  Just ask my daughter :)  In all seriousness, I'd love to learn to play the mandolin and bass guitar.  Around my parts, everyone has a guitar and at times it can get to be a little too much in a jam situation. 

I once played in a country gospel group and the bass player brought a mandolin to practice one evening.  He asked if I could learn to play it for a cpouple of songs we did.  He gave me a computer printout of some chords and his just purchased ebay mandolin.  The next week I played two songs on the mandolin, nothing fast or complex.  I never learned anything else and the band broke up about a year later.  The bass player also wanted to fingerpick a few songs on the guitar, so he and I would switch out on those.

I am looking for a cheap bass (used most likely) around my parts right now.  I'd like to become proficient with it to the point I could run with anyone in a jam situation.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: bo1142 on January 23, 2012, 11:35:52 AM
Well, after much debate on a builder's reserve(my wife said no, end of debate) I went out and bought a uke.  I picked up a Makai LK-80w.  I haven't sat down with it for an extended time, but it's been a fun little instrument so far.  Maybe Taylor will put out a less expensive uke in the future.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: BigSkyTaylorPlayer on January 23, 2012, 12:15:48 PM
Congrats on your new uke!  You will find it is so much fun and very easy to get going on.  On YouTube there is a guy named Ukulele Mike that has lots of videos of songs, tutorials, tips, etc.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: bo1142 on January 23, 2012, 02:44:03 PM
Congrats on your new uke!  You will find it is so much fun and very easy to get going on.  On YouTube there is a guy named Ukulele Mike that has lots of videos of songs, tutorials, tips, etc.

Thanks for the heads up.  I found a site called ukulelehunt.com, which seems to have a few nuggets of information, as well.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: flaggerphil on January 23, 2012, 04:03:26 PM
I'm beginning to attempt to learn the mandolin.  I have my late dad's 1937 brand-unknown mandolin, I've had it fixed up, and I've already got a couple of chords down.
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: bo1142 on January 23, 2012, 04:17:47 PM
I'm beginning to attempt to learn the mandolin.  I have my late dad's 1937 brand-unknown mandolin, I've had it fixed up, and I've already got a couple of chords down.

I thought medium guitar strings were rough on your fingers, mandolin strings destroy them LOL
Title: Re: What other stringed instruments are you interested in?
Post by: SMan on January 23, 2012, 05:26:17 PM
We bought a harp so Mrs SMan could take lessons after she retires this year and use it as a therapy instrument when she visits retirement/assisted living homes.  I found myself being drawn to it.  It is a Dusty Strings 26 string Koa harp with a maple soundboard.  Hard to make an unpleasing sound with it. 

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i204/smansbucket/Guitars/General%20Guitar%20pictures/DSC_0147.jpg)