We try to use original instruments whenever possible to insure an authentic sound reproduction of the period. When that's not possible, we have had museum quality reproductions made. Here are a few of the instruments in our collection.
This is the latest addition. It is a bronze jaw-harp (jews harp, juice harp or mouth organ) that was recently dug by a relic hunter at the Cold Harbor battlefield on private property. These were a favorite of soldiers on both sides. We are going to attempt to replace the "twanger" so it can be played. We have been on the lookout for a bronze harp relic for some time because the iron ones have pretty much rusted away.
This is a museum quality reproduction of a 1850 Boucher banjo. It was custom made by luthier Nick Richardson of Oklahoma City. It has a rich, loud sound as well as being beautiful. Note the quilted maple on the fretless neck and the "F" scoll peghead with a "beehive"! It also has "skirts" on the hoop with handmade brass tensioners and a distinctive tailpiece. The decorative points on the neck actually indicate the 7th and 9th fret position.
This is a set of "bones" we made from the ribs of a cow. They were used as a rhythm instrument and were extremely popular in the minstrel music shows. They are held vertically in the hand between the fingers and the wrist is snapped to produce the "clack" sound. We also have a set of bones made from rosewood for a different tone. 2 sets of bones can be played at the same time to produce a complex rhythm sound.
This is another civil war era jaw harp. It is huge and produces a very loud sound. It is constructed from iron and is a antique store find.
Above: yes its a jawbone of a cow. These were played by scraping along the teeth with a hardwood stick..similar to a washboard sound. They were also shaken to made the teeth rattle like a castenet.
We also have a period parlour guitar, harmonicas, squeeze box concertina, civil war military fifes and a period 1860s small fretless banjo with brass eagles for the tensioner fittings. We will put photos of these here later.