Joe standing amidst the aspens high in the Colorado Rockies holding his new Richard Mermer Double-neck Guitjo, built in 2003.

Check out http://www.mermerguitars.com for more of Rich's work!

Guitjo: pronounced [git'-jo]. Eidolon is unique in that they have invented an instrument that helps give them their own musical voice. The guitjo has been described by everyone from Jazziz magazine to USA Today as being a "beautiful harp-like sounding instrument...like nothing they've ever heard before."

So what is it that makes this instrument so special? Start with Oregon luthier Denny Stevens, one of the finest guitar builders on the planet, add Joe Scott's new ideas in taking the guitar to places its never been before. Re-design it, re-string it by replacing the lower-pitched with higher-pitched ones, add another neck with additional bass strings -- all this gives the guitjo incredible range not found on traditional guitars.

The double-neck guitjo has a total of 14 strings, and is designed so that Joe can play both necks simultaneously. He does this using a variety of guitar techniques, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and mirrors. The guitjo neck has only high-pitched, treble strings, and sounds much like a harp or hammer dulcimer. The guitar neck is strung like a traditional 6-string guitar, but has an additional bass string.

Joe uses a variety of open tunings to achieve new and innovative sounds. He is endorsed by John Pearse guitar strings, where they kindly customize the sets for him. For more information on Joe's background or the origin of the guitjo, click on Biographies.

Hannah plays a 1998 Christopher Dungey cello, based on a 1739 Montagnana model. For more info on Dungey cellos, check out http://www.dungeycello.com/. It only has one neck and four strings.... Hannah is currently suffering from neck envy and rumor has it that she has commissioned a double-neck, 8-string cello. She also plays a 1999 David Forbes bow.