Bozo's Musical Instruments Page

The Musical Instrument Collection

Welcome to Bozo's musical instrument web page... if this is not where you intended to go, you still have time to get out now...

As you can see, this is a "work in progress" page so I hope you'll forgive the mess and stick around a while, looking at the instruments in my personal collection.

Musical Instrument Collection

My musical interests vary from classical to blues, folk to rock, and alternative to oldies. Lately, I've become interested in modern bluegrass! (It's not your parent's bluegrass!) I have even written a tune or two that some might call Country (though I would put them more in the "talking blues" category...)! Please note the conspicuous absence of Rap! My nephews do enough of that style to fill the family quota... The instruments in my personal collection somewhat mirror that wide range of interests.

The Autoharps

Back in 2004, during my bout with eosinophylic pneumonosis (a rare form of pheumonia for which they know no specific cause) and its subsequent treatment with prednisone, I was, well, let's just say a little (or more) "distracted/disturbed/distraught" - or just plain crazy. I think it had something to do with realizing my own mortality and thinking I could offset it by having things that required my attention to them. Somehow, the focus got placed on autoharps. I acquired quite a few, some of which are in mint condition and others that require more than a little "fixing up". But this was going to be one of my activities in retirement so I figured I would have a lot of time to devote to this. I'm not sure I'll ever have enough time for all of them...

OS 21-Bar Bird's-Eye Maple Model B - Birdy

Some of the autoharps...

The Guitars

I am still very involved in vintage guitar collecting, though many of the more recent acquisitions have been more current than many in my collection, and have also acquired several (or so) autoharps in various states of playability. My plan for retirement includes the modification and repair of autoharps, "as time permits". My guitar collection currently contains both electric

(some of) The Fenders

(some of) The Gibsons

The Other Electrics

and acoustic models

(some of) The Guilds

(some of) The Taylors

The Other Acoustics

ranging from the late 20's to current models. Various makes and models are represented... However, the current "centerpiece" is my 1969 Bell Western six-string acoustic made by Bozo Podunavac; it's an unbelievably loud and resonant guitar and has aged well. It features maple binding, "rope" purfling, scalloped ivory nut and saddle and general craftsmanship you don't see much these days. This is the guitar that Leo Kottke, Peter Lang, Bob Gibson and John Fahey helped make famous. Since this model wasn't produced until 1968, it is believed that this is one of the earliest models - I had the pleasure of reuniting it with Bozo (only temporarily) recently, since he has retired (again) to Florida. A discussion of that event, along with additional pictures are available by clicking on the pictures below, which don't do it justice...

The Mandolins

Other instruments in my collection include a few mandolins that I have added over the years and am now taking lessons to learn how to play properly. They are pictured below:

The Banjos

Since moving to North Carolina, I've added a few banjos to my collection and hope to take lessons to learn how to play them properly. They are pictured below:

That's about it for now; as always, you can send your comments and suggestions (maybe other, related links I might enjoy) to the address below... Have fun!

*8o)

Send comments to: nobozos@citcom.net

Changes last made on: Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 8:41pm