Re: [Harp-L] Re: 9-string guitar

"Suave Blues Man" <res6k2zt@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Fri, 12 Jan 2007 11:46:12 -0600

Brothers & Sisters of the 1-or-more string...thing,
    In the mid-late sixties a lead guitarist for a group that I supported 
was using a 9-string. All the machismo of the six and the multi-guitar sound 
of the twelve. I was enamored then and still appreciate the sound today.

    The Eagles have re-impassioned a style ala the stage bands of the 30's 
and 40's with intertwining melody and harmony.

    My daughter asked me a couple of years ago why a lot of the present day 
tunes sound like...well, why they DON'T sound so good. I said that it takes 
more than ability to sustain a note, use three chords or the ability to 
wordsmith: it takes a sense of continuity, pride in production and a love of 
the performance in spite of production companies to just lay out tunes on 
cylinders...albums...45's...er, cd's.

    Lately, and with the help of http://www.youtube.com/ , it's a real 
treat to see the value of the music we missed, having grown up through it. 
Will we ever have another Brahms, Beatles, Bo Jangles, Einstein, Cheech & 
Chong, John Wayne, Little Richard, Big Walter, Donny Osmond, Carpenters, 
Original Harmonica Band - http://www.bassharp.com/original.htm ? I most 
certainly hope so. So we won't be originators but enhancers, or homage's or 
performers or enjoyers. The beauty still lies in the ear, and eye, of the 
beholder.
    9-string? Vive la difference!
Be Blues,
Suave Blues Man
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Muck" <tmuck@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

To: "'Harp L'" <Harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>

Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 9:16 AM

Subject: [Harp-L] Re: 9-string guitar
       This is the first time I have  ever seen any mention of a 9 string

guitar except for around my family. Can  you tell me about it? My brother 
gave

me one for Christmas last year. It's the  coolest Samick I have ever 
seen. It's

strung like a 12 string on the E, B, and G  strings and single on the D, 
A,

and top E string. Made for slide but I had a  very good friend (awesome 
blues

player) set it up so I could strum it and use it  for coffee house gigs 
and

writing and such. It has the best neck of any acoustic  I have ever 
owned, and I

have owned quite a few over the years. I can  loosen the strings and put 
in a

nut extender and play slide on it too. I've  looked all over the internet 
and

have never been able to find another one like  it. Thanx

Joe Williams used a modified 6-string acoustic that had 3 additional pegs 
put into the top of the headstock (I believe he modified it himself) and a 
pickup attached. There is a picture of it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Joe_Williams
Charlie Musselwhite has some great stories about Big Joe -- he roomed with 
him in the 60s.
Tom Muck
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