Harp guitar

A guitar with extra unfretted bass strings mounted alongside the usual six, plucked separately to add low drone notes and interjections.

The extra strings run from the headstock or a second head to their own bridge or tailpiece, and they are tuned to bass notes of the piece rather than being fretted, so they function as accompaniment rather than melodic material. Because the player's thumb can reach them while the fingers continue on the main strings, a single instrument can supply a bass line, chords and melody at once. They are uncommon, expensive and usually built to order.

Example: letting a low bass string ring while the fingers play a melody higher up gives the impression of two instruments at once.

Harp guitar

See also