![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() A
movable-fretted, microtonal electric guitar. It has a unique pickup
which uses electromagnetic principles, but not in the usual way.
![]() Two movable-fretted, microtonal acoustic guitars, modified from standard acoustics (one mini). ![]() The
oscillator array: a collection of various oscillators with
pitch and volume controls, with stereo or mono output.
![]() The
electric saron: tuned steel rods struck by mallets, suspended
over a huge electromagnetic pickup (possibly the world's
largest humbucker). There is a switch to change the coil
configuration to either parallel or series, and a high-pass
filter knob to cut the "thump". Rods have been
cut for standard tuning, 9 tone equal temperament (tet),
10 tet, 13 tet, 14 tet and 15 tet.
![]() On
the left is a solid-body electric setar, with humbucking
pickup. To the right is a traditional, acoustic Persian
setar.
![]() An
earlier version of the electric saron.
![]() The
original microtonal guitar. Built in 1992, this
was Rubenstein's first creation. Originally it had
movable, nylon frets, but is now fretless.
|
INSTRUMENTS created by Paul Rubenstein |
The Mechanical Monk (above) is a two stringed, motorized instrument played with two steel rods as slides. It sounds like a cross between Tibetan monks and an alien spaceship (as opposed to the government spaceships-- they sound completely different). |
The Chariot in motion: the chariot consists of two motorized bicycle wheels with shakers attached. The speed of each wheel can be adjusted and the shakers can be moved to set up different rhythms.. |
The m'birangi: thirty-two tunable metal tines suspended over a two foot long electromagnetic pickup. The tines are plucked with the fingers. The eight strings are vibrated by magnets spun by a motor, for an ethereal, haunting sound. |