McCARTEN LTD.

Tinh Tau

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This is my interpretation of a Tinh Tau.This is a two string instrument from Southeast Asia. There are a number of closely related instruments in the greater area. A melody is played on one string, While the other string is a "drone". Because it is a fretless instrumenmt, microtonal slide on and slide offs are often played.

It is constructed much like a "Spike Fiddle" type instrument. The body is made from a hard shelled gourd selected by shape to be similar to that of a traditional Tinh Tau.


The top is Norther Ash.
The neck and headstock is Black Cherry.