Alabama WalkAround / John Diamond's WalkAround

Comment by Tim Twiss on October 17, 2012 at 11:51pm

That was nice.

 

Comment by Matthew Mickletz on October 18, 2012 at 6:12am

Wonderful!

Comment by Ian Bell on October 18, 2012 at 7:12am

Good stuff. From what we can see that looks like a beautifully made instrument. It sure sounds good.

Comment by Bell Banjos on October 18, 2012 at 9:16am

That's great. What do you use as your thimble?

Comment by Mark Weems on October 18, 2012 at 9:40am

After trying many finger picks on this instrument, I finally settled on this plastic one as the one that most brings out the gourds natural tones. Don't remember where I got it.

Comment by Paul Draper on October 18, 2012 at 9:41am

Great sounding instrument, beautifully played. Guts or Nylguts?

Comment by Strumelia on October 18, 2012 at 9:52am

Masterful playing, I could listen all day!

What a lovely gourd instrument too.

Thank you for posting this!- there is just not enough good gourd playing is on the internet for people to be inspired by.

I see you're playing in G- can you tell me your scale length and tuning?  And i'm guessing you are using the Aquila 'Classical' nylgut set, rather than the heavier 'Minstrel' set they offer?...or is this incorrect?

Ok, this makes me want to pullout my gourd tonight and pick my current project tune Cotton Pod Walk Around.  (which sounds a lot like Alabama W.A. but is much simpler to play for beginners- beginners, take note!)   =8-)

Comment by Mark Weems on October 18, 2012 at 10:24am

They are the lighter gauge real gut strings that Pete put on it. Classic banjo tuning (Minstrel tuning, or low bass (just kidding! there is no bass string!) Pete put the bridge at a 26 inch scale but I've moved it up to 25.25 where to me the sound seems to pop out more. This gourd also sounds great up in Rice Tuning (E and A).

Comment by Strumelia on October 18, 2012 at 10:48am

Thanks Mark!    :)

Comment by Jack L. Whaley on November 19, 2012 at 2:29pm

Mark, Hope to try to play along with this again soon.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jack

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