Morin-Khuur
The Morin-Khuur, or Horse Head Fiddle is in it’s essence a modernized version of the Igil. It has two strings, originally made of bundles of horse hair. Compared to the Igil the sound could be described as a bit more focussed with more managable overtones. Traditionally the Morin-Khuur 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 instrument pictured here is already with it’s new owner. It is made out of Ash wood, with a arched Linden top. 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 D3 and A3, but it can be tuned up and down about 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 page on this website, I will be happy to make one for you!
Pricing will be around €700 for a flat top instrument, arched top will be €850.
