I've always had an interest in musical instruments, since I was a small boy sitting listening to my Dad play accordion or Reed Organ or plucking on an old zither banjo (I won't mention the fiddle!). Most of my family played an instrument and there was always something lying about to 'mess' on whether a guitar, fiddle or piano. Always on the look-out for some other item to make a noise with, I have made a lot of friends and contacts within the music and second hand trade.
The following list of instruments have come from all over the country and I thank everyone who has loaned and instrument or allowed me to mess on it and take photo's. Keep 'em coming....

RUSSIAN ZITHER

Call it what you will lap zither, plucked psaltery, pretty, this small instrument sounds sweet and looks great, hand decorated in enamels and built with mahogany, it would be nice to own even if it was never played, play it as well and you've got it made! size 15 inches wide 8 inches high by 1 inch deep - who needs a backpacker version!
Supplier: Cash Converters - Preston, Lancashire.

The "TYPEWRITER"

Made in Bombay India the typewriter is a great novelty when played at the Falcon, it has seven strings six tuned the same, used to play the tune - by pressing the 'typewriter' keys, plus one drone tuned an octave lower than the key you are playing in. We've had many suggestions as to the real name of this instrument - abulbultagal (not sure of spelling) was one, but in some catalogues of Indian instrument they call it a banjo (sorry Mr Scruggs) - I think I prefer the name, Typewriter. size: 23.5 x 4.5 x 3 inches
Supplied by: Reidy's - Blackburn, Lancashire.

MARTIN D.15

What a lovely guitar this is, the all mahogany construction gives this guitar a sound of its own without losing that Martin sound. Great for picking or strumming - shades of the 1930's no frills but plenty of thrills (sorry!). The big surprise is the price - £899 for a solid mahogany guitar (no veneers here) and that's just RRP - haggle and you've an extra real bargain.
Thanks to Promenade Music - Morecambe who supplied the guitar.

OVATION LONGNECK

O.K. you either love or hate Ovation guitars - I love 'em, I bought one of the first in the UK back in '69/70 and still have it. This one's something different though it's their Longneck tuned a whole tone lower than normal. The effect of this gives a lovely deep rich sound in the first position (sounds great with the partial capo - makes it open D) and of course if you capo on the second fret you have a guitar in standard pitch.
Guitar supplied by Cranes of Cardiff.

Fylde Ariel

Fylde Guitar have been well known in Lancashire and England for many years, now they are well respected throughout the world. The list of Artist who use and prefer Fyldes to the 'Better known' makers would fill this page and there can be no better testament to the quality of Fylde Guitars than this. The Ariel is a small bodied guitar, with open head stock and twelve frets to the body neck. This type of guitar often referred to as a blues or parlour guitar is ideal for finger picking and open tunings, the ariel is one (if not the) best I have played, a rich clear tone that projects well and an excellent action (I'm an advocator of the zero fret) all add to the pleasure of playing this superb instrument. I can recommend Fylde guitars and if small bodied guitars are your thing try the Ariel I don't think you'll be disappointed
Review guitars from Fylde Guitars (see links page) & Tower Music Blackpool.

OVATION MANDOLIN

Has the Longneck had a baby? Looks the biz this mandolin from Ovation it also sound good either acoustic (the round back helps with volume and projection) or through an amp (the on board pre-amp offers several ways to shape the sound and gives a boost to the signal without distorting it). The action and string gauge were not to my taste but with a bit of a tweek and a set of 9's this would be my mandolin for stage work .
Supplier - Howarth's of Wigan

DOUBLE DULCIMER

This multi stringed double dulcimer (OK what's it really called then) has a really unusual sound - with all those drones. I play it as I would a mountain dulcimer but add drone/lead via the other strings (17 strings in all). Made in Hungary and has a label on the back with the word UNGARN under lined (several times and in colour) could this be the name of the Instrument? or the maker or the name of the town it was made in? Size is about 33 inches in length and 15 inches wide by 5 inches deep. The top and sides look to be made of mahogany and the sides are carved with a floral/vine design.

BOMBARDE

This modern copy of the ancient bombarde has all traits of the original - it sounds like a cat being strangled (please note NO animals were hurt during the testing of this instrument) - But in the right situation with the right accompaniment it can conjure up the sound of those days long gone by - that only a few members of the local folk society can remember.
Supplier: Clevedon Music Shop - Clevedon, Avon, Somerset.

My thanks to the makers/owners/retailers of the above items for allowing me to use, examine and enjoy (or otherwise) the time I had with each instrument