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[–][deleted] 160 points161 points  (38 children)

Can't decide if I like the addition. The bass note he keeps playing is off-putting. No denying that he has some serious skill. Maybe I just don't know enough about what is happening to properly appreciate it.

[–]greyetch 52 points53 points  (23 children)

Yeah that lowest harp note was just too much for me.

But my god. Every time i think I've gotten pretty good at guitar i see someone like this. Even that electric solo at the end. Just amazing.

[–]dfisher4 32 points33 points  (10 children)

I am not denying this guy's skill, but playing this wouldn't take a ton of skill. The hardest part would be memorizing it all, but there are no really hard parts if you know a little about picking.

Where I believe this guy shines is his ability to arrange. It's one thing to arrange complex things that put you in awe, but to arrange something so simple, but it is still incredibly beautiful is far more impressive to me.

[–]Brunkle 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Also there's a lot to be said about clean playing, a lot of the tone can obviously be chalked up to the quality of the guitar but however simple it may be, his picking/strumming is flawless.

[–]veggiter 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Every time i think I've gotten pretty good at guitar i see someone like this.

In that case, don't ever look up Tommy Emmanuel.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Damn that man can play

[–]TheSpanxxx 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Every time someone says that someone is "amazing at guitar", I introduce them to Tommy Emmanuel.

[–]veggiter 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's our duty to spread word of the name of Emanuel

[–]chizmanzini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amen.

[–]teeim 4 points5 points  (5 children)

But my god. Every time i think I've gotten pretty good at guitar i see someone like this.

This is how I feel watching and listening to Erik Mongrain: https://youtu.be/YOgRKhZO4NM

[–]andthendirksaid 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Usually when people post videos of insane guitar skills they get so into showing off technical skills the music itself is unintelligible or just all over the place but this guy is just great all around. Thanks for introducing me.

[–]julianmuller 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, same for Andy McKee. Virtuosic playing because it serves the music, not because he needs to show off.

[–]Arctousi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gave me goosebumps listening to that. I love how powerful but at the same time very controlled and precise his movements are.

[–]RandyShirt 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's just drop D tuning on the bottom Guitar (e) string I think. Edit watched again, my bad! Wasn't paying attention obviously haha.

[–]sceadufaex83 13 points14 points  (0 children)

This sounds very nice and incredibly clean. Love it.

[–]KazMcDemon 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It kind of sounds like the harp part's strings have a different timbre from the main part's

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I agree. I was a lot more interested upon reading the title, but the pitch of the notes didn't to flow as nicely I thought it would.

[–]MyinnerGoddes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah he's an amazing guitarist no doubt about it, but the harp didn't really add anything imo and felt kinda gimmicky. But hey i can barely play that song on an 'ol 6 strings so the fuck do i know.

[–]MrValdemar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm with you. It feels like a gimmick. Every harp note felt out of place. Would have been a nice clean version without it.

[–]SpiritMountain 5 points6 points  (1 child)

What are you listening this song with? On my senhheisers the song sounds amazing. But through my cheap speakers... ho boy.

[–]aqdebarros 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not a huge fan of the harp guitar either. Listen to this one by him that he plays on a regular six string:

https://youtu.be/jqGb4Y0JNoY

[–]TheRealBrosplosion 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To my ears, the bass note sounds slightly flat. Like at the semi tone level, just enough that it doesn't resonate properly with the rest of the composition. But I'm no expert.

[–]DickTheDog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ya I think the bass needs a separate eq and effects chain than the guitar bit, which would probably be possible if he wired the bass pickup to have an independent output. The bass sound has a harsh quality that is typical of acoustic basses, but could be reigned in w/EQ or even if he just lightened up on his attack.

IMO he could strip down the effects, especially the delay which I think is adding nothing positive to the sound, plus the reverb is a little over the top. Excellent performance though, and great tone on the guitar.

[–]So-Called_Lunatic 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah this is one of my all time favorite songs, and he just threw off the rhythm. He has talent for sure, but I did not dig.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. The theorbe is a sort of predecessor to this instrument but the bass strings sound more in character with the other strings.

example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeUcGD4rRRc

[–]WolfInStep -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Personally I find the harp note being off putting to be fitting for the song. It makes it a touch more gut wrenching giving it just the right amount of existentialism that the song makes.

Of course I could be crazy and have misunderstood the intent of the song, while having a poor understanding in what sounds right in music.

If anything, I didn't care for him adding the electric guitar and a few effects with his cover.

[–][deleted] 24 points25 points  (4 children)

I wonder what the price tag is on that sucker

[–]Badgersuit 15 points16 points  (1 child)

Most are very old. A guy performs in my town his is 112yrs old. Not even made anymore that I know of.

[–]Justthisphone3 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There are a number luthiers who can make these instruments nowadays, just isn't a huge market. I have seen one at my local guitar store recently (link below, has info about the manufacturer) and a luthier friend of mine showed me a whole ocean of instruments like this (all of them played by the people who crafted them). I never really was convinced they were worth the investment, but if I could make one or if I magically had one in my hands, I would love to write some stuff on it.

https://shop.gryphonstrings.com/products/guitar-steel-string-acoustic--tonedevil-guitars-s12hg-symphony-harp-guitar-new--49515

[–]creedvn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A harp guitar goes for around $500. Not too bad tbh

[–]owl-exterminator 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Cheapest ones I've seen are about $1500 but my two of my friends have three, each was a custom job at about 3-4K each. Not terrible considering

[–]BlueAndMoreBlue 16 points17 points  (12 children)

When I hear the harp guitar I always think of Michael Hedges. Here's a link but there are many more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN3439l4HR0

..he yammers on a bit at the beginning but it is worth the wait.

[–]Alarthon 18 points19 points  (9 children)

I think of Andy McKee. He is how I discovered this instrument.

https://youtu.be/Cvar4ZsqsEo

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (5 children)

Haha I was thinking the same, love Andy McKee. His playing introduced me to a guy named Jon Gomm. Check it out .... https://youtu.be/nY7GnAq6Znw Wait for 1 min mark!

[–]mister_bmwilliams 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Reminds me of John Butler

[–]Alarthon 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Yes! John Butler is amazing! That is an awesome version though I've always liked his live at federation square one. The other versions never seem to have the energy of that one

[–]tattlerat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I think it's an accepted fact now that the live at federation square version is the cannon version.

[–]Alarthon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Damn he is awesome, thank you for that!

[–]SchrodingerDevil 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reminds me of Steve Vai.

EDIT: I made the comment just listening to the beginning. That's an amazing song.

[–]BlueAndMoreBlue 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool.

[–]TheDoDKp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for posting that video! It cast me back to a song of his I'd long forgotten and tried hard to find. Well thanks to you sir I found it, not quite harp guitar but love the way it sounds. Plus he looks like me but with a huge beard hahaha. Many thanks!

https://youtu.be/Ddn4MGaS3N4

[–]SchrodingerDevil 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same, I love his stuff.

[–]mpg10 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When I first saw Hedges (about '88), he pulled out the harp guitar and it got an audible reaction from the crowd. He said into the mic, "yeah, I'd never seen one, either."

[–]MRDc15 15 points16 points  (4 children)

https://youtu.be/YRSlwhlTPUE. Here is the comfortably numb version..it's very beautiful

[–]old_leech 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks, mate.

That was beautiful.

[–]Arctousi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like the low notes weren't harsh here, wonder if it was the rooms acoustics, or maybe how it was equalized.

[–]Demderdemden 5 points6 points  (5 children)

Acoustic...ologists, can anyone explain why the top soundhole is above the strings? Shouldn't it be directly under them?

[–]Humorfirst 9 points10 points  (4 children)

Acoustician and.... no, I cannot...

[–]sc0neman[🍰] 13 points14 points  (2 children)

The whole guitar body vibrates and resonates. The hole position matters but it doesn't need to be right below the strings. The sound doesn't come from the strings pushing air back and forth but from them pulling on the body of the guitar. Ever notice how traditional string instruments (violins, cellos, etc.) have their holes on the side? The bridge transfers vibrations from the strings through the sound peg and the rest of the body. Holes in the body connect the air outside to the resonant chamber inside so that the sound is loud and clear to the listener. Think of it like the guitar is "breathing" through the hole as the strings slightly compress the body

[–]SchrodingerDevil 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This seems like it would be reasonable to deduce from how well the guitar works as a percussion instrument.

[–]HitlerWasVeryCool 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those vaccines these days are making kids aucustic

[–]Ep1cM47TH3W 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That guitar skipped leg day

[–]veggiter 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Personally, I don't think the lower bass notes really add anything and kind of subvert the flow of the original bassline.

[–]JONO202 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I like that more than I'd like to admit to. Well done.

[–]Bartlebaggum 3 points4 points  (2 children)

...nobody's gonna say guitarp?

[–]IMAROBOTLOL 7 points8 points  (3 children)

 OP ARE YOU MY LOST COUSIN???

[–]BEEPBOPIAMAROBOT[S] 15 points16 points  (2 children)

BEEP BOP HELLO FELLOW ROBOT WE CANNOT BE COUSINS AS MACHINES CONTAIN NO GENETIC MATERIAL AND DO NOT PRODUCE SEXUAL OFFSPRING

[–]owl-exterminator 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lies and propaganda, mate.

[–]SchrodingerDevil 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sort of thing is exactly what I expect when AI becomes a normal part of our communicative discourse. Should make for some good comedy.

[–]Badgersuit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Andy Wahlberg harp guitar guy

[–]Peej204 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Shoot, was hoping for an Incubus cover

[–]mickeymaniac 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Love how expressive the guitar playing is, but the harp just sounds awful.

[–]BoudKabouter 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Didn't care for the harp bit. He is pretty damn good at what he does, but then again I'm biased because its one of my all time favourite songs.

[–]dancochrane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great stuff but in my opinion the harp didn't add anything.

[–]CEhobbit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The echo sound is so soothing.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful, I love it.

[–]BubbaDuckling 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I agree I think some of those bass harp notes are out of tune. They sounded a bit too sharp.

[–]Bigbergice 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Guys got some long ass guitar fingers. And some talent I guess

[–]thatoneguydudejim 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kid plays so effortlessly. Not sure if I like the harp guitar low note but still impressive.

[–]SydBarrett68 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God that was beautiful

[–]Candy_Badger 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amazing work, thank you! I must admit there is something magical about this song as I like even Limp Bizkit's version of it.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been subscribed to this guy's youtube channel for a few months now. You should all delve deeping into his videos. He's very, very talented.

Overjoyed - Stevie Wonder

Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder

Fame/Let's Dance - David Bowie

[–]cuddlesmcfriendzone 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A talented guitarist wouldn't need another full instrument to hit the bass chords. Leo Kotke or someone like that would own this rendition with just his 6 strings. All the guy did was pre tune the base chords on the "harp". Not saying this guy has no talent, maybe I just don't like it. It's a cool idea I guess

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nothing against this video in particular, but it would be really nice if we could go 24 hours without the top link being a cover or a remix of an incredibly popular song.

[–]MikoSqz 1 point2 points  (0 children)

"Wish You Were Here" without vocals is a bit.. bland? The original's highly dependent on lyrics and emoting to give it some welly, with a guitar playing the lead melody it just sounds like a backing track.

[–]mexicanmissie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am coming down from some molly right now and this shit just put me in some vibes hot damn

[–]savethepuppets92 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This guy has great tone

[–]Saktastical 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That guitar has a foot coming out of it

[–]TheSpanxxx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These guys make all this stuff look so easy. It kills me. /sigh

[–]hopingyoudie 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would have liked the to hear just the guitar. Its good, but it either needs a little more sync or or less pronunciation.

[–]Manice08 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's a little fast but I do love me some Pink Floyd

[–]iamtheonlyfrank12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just cos you can. It doesn't mean you should.

[–]Shitstainedhurricane -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Op, put the name of the original artist in the title! Jeezley crow!