Moodswinger

The Moodswinger is a twelve-string electric zither with an additional third bridge designed by Yuri Landman.

The rod which functions as the third bridge divides the strings into two sections to cause an overtone multiphonic sound.

After 6 months he finished two copies of The Moodswinger, an electric 12-string 3rd-bridge overtone koto, one for guitarist/drummer Aaron Hemphill and one for himself.

The pickup and electronics are built into the neck instead of in the body like usual electric guitars.

In 2009 Landman created a derivative version of the instrument called the Home Swinger, for workshops at festivals, where participants built their own copy within four hours.

Because the instrument has 12 strings, tuned in a circle of fourths, it is always possible to play every note of the equal tempered scale.

The instrument has 3 printed scales, used as guides for positioning the moveable third bridge and reading the played notes: On the Moodswinger II the 1/8, 3/8, 5/8 and 7/8 are Blue dotted.