Igil
The Igil is a Tuvan Two stringed bowed instrument. You can see it as a precursur to the more modern Morin-Khuur. But unlike the Morin-Khuur it has a piece of skin instead of a wooden soundboard. Compared to the Morin-Khuur the sound is a bit more raspy and nasal, it also has a lot more audible overtones.
Traditionally the Igil has a horsehead carving on top of the headstock. The horse is a very central piece of Tuvan and Mongolian culture. It does not feel right to me as a non-native person to tamper with such an important cultural symbol. So i went for a more sober yet stylised headstock
The one showed on the photo’s is my personal instrument, which is made out of reclaimed oak from an old dining table. The string length from nut to bridge is 57 cm and the strings are actually made from fishing line, which has a better resistance to detuning when exposed to heat/cold and dampness/dryness. This instrument’s strings are tuned to C3 and G3, but it can be tuned up or down a whole tone.
If you want a similar instrument to this one, or a variation of it, feel free to contact me using the contact form on this website, I will be happy to make one for you!
Pricing will be around €600, depending on wood choise etc.
