tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post1798341934015103474..comments2023-10-30T06:44:15.852-04:00Comments on TotalRojo Guitars: It's A GusleJess Allredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04013636415234930114noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-19707713862076144322016-07-23T17:56:07.696-04:002016-07-23T17:56:07.696-04:00I bought one of these at a flea market and hadownl...I bought one of these at a flea market and hadownload no idea what it was either! Mine had fishing line on it too! I haven't gotten the hair for the bow yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-54501921043916566982015-10-27T14:32:12.015-04:002015-10-27T14:32:12.015-04:00I got one of this instrument from a carboot sale. ...I got one of this instrument from a carboot sale. Unfortunately ,the string is missing. Could anyone help me what kind of string I should look for? ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15963967517353498941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-71711120907527294152015-01-25T14:17:24.490-05:002015-01-25T14:17:24.490-05:00I bought one of these off eBay a while back. Reall...I bought one of these off eBay a while back. Really wish someone would make a guide on actually playing it I would like to learn :) Glad to see a fellow gusle owner!bobskiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933826311260203248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-58987867173520019422014-06-04T00:41:49.639-04:002014-06-04T00:41:49.639-04:00Thanks to the anonymous commentor for the history ...Thanks to the anonymous commentor for the history lesson, which further explains the instrument and the rather interesting purpose it serves. Please stay in touch, and let me know your name and where you live.Jess Allredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04013636415234930114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-87071767604706098312014-06-03T04:56:44.872-04:002014-06-03T04:56:44.872-04:00What a fantastic story. I like the bow you created...What a fantastic story. I like the bow you created, it complements the gusle very well.<br />Regarding the gusle instrument, it is one of the oldest instruments in Europe. It is the national instrument of the Albanians, Montenegrins, Serbs, and played in parts of Croatia and Hercegovina. In the Balkans they take this form of music so seriously that they hold annual festivals in many parts of former Yugoslavia. And yes, you are correct in your statement that epic songs are sang with the gusle, most of them depicting the centuries-old struggle against the Ottoman Empire. <br /><br />There are some very talented craftsmen who make this instrument, with the Montenegrins and Serbs undisputed champions in this field. My opinion is that that the Albanians have played and mastered this instrument much earlier than the Slavs did, purely because of the fact that the Slavs arrived in the Balkan region fairly late and there is no evidence that they brought this instrument with them. Most likely it arrived in the Balkan region through the trading routes of the Byzantine Empire possibly from Syria or Jordan, where it is known as the Rababa. Having said that, in Albania this instrument is played less and less, whereas in the countries I mentioned above it is still very much alive. Some readers will not agree with what I said here, however I speak from personal experience, I am a competent player of the Lahuta (Albanian Name for Gusle) and my father was a master player, possible one of the better players of all time. <br /><br />For a very fine composition please visit Youtube and search for: 'Nikolle Nikprelaj Melodi me Lahute', this is a very old, delicate, inspiring and easy to understand melody. As far as the Slavic players, just search Youtube again for: 'Gusle' and you will find pages of very talented players who also sing very enthusiastically.<br /><br />Your gusle is a very well carved instrument, possibly from somewhere in Hercegovina and aimed primarily for the tourist market. To make it playable you should put some strings from plastic/polyester sewing machine thread or fishing line, and you must use loads of resin (violin Quality) on both the music box and the bow.<br /><br />And finally, I wish you good health whilst playing one of the oldest instruments in the world. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-88079177703363303082012-06-25T20:17:41.729-04:002012-06-25T20:17:41.729-04:00Possibly. Make a reasonable offer. Thanks.Possibly. Make a reasonable offer. Thanks.Jess Allredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04013636415234930114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-82657549098405083232012-06-25T18:27:47.094-04:002012-06-25T18:27:47.094-04:00Any interest in selling it?Any interest in selling it?lungerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15968395299714039960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810432134584468190.post-12441757994768595152012-06-05T12:26:28.619-04:002012-06-05T12:26:28.619-04:00It would be cool if you treed to learn how to play...It would be cool if you treed to learn how to play it or at least posted a video of you trying!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com