# What is this instrument? (small triangular guitar-like thing) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 25, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025 "2014-07-25T14:39:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/1 "2014-07-25T14:39:04Z")
In [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfrv_TjIGTI), what is the instrument played by the girl (on the far right)? It’s a string instrument that seems to be something like a ukulele or small guitar, but having a triangular body. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/2 "2014-07-25T14:43:57Z")
Looks like it might be one of these: > **[Strumstick.com Home of the McNally Strumstick](https://strumstick.com/)** > > The Home of The McNally Strumstick. The Strumstick is designed for beginners and super easy to play. The site contains Products, Info and lots of Instructions ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/3 "2014-07-25T15:27:53Z")
Could be a [balalaika](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balalaika) but the soundbox doesn’t look that big. What is the name of that humongous guitar, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/4 "2014-07-25T15:51:53Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Could be a [balalaika](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balalaika) but the soundbox doesn’t look that big. > > What is the name of that humongous guitar, I wonder? Nah - I agree it is a Strumstick - which at first glance appears to be a glorified Martin Backpacker\* that is played in an open tuning to make it super easy to pick up, or something like that. \*Martin Backpackers are what they sound like - a camping guitar. They are shaped like that with a somewhat shorter neck, and to my ears, they sound frickin’ awful. But if you need music for whatever reason hiking into woods, they are the way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/5 "2014-07-25T16:21:06Z")
It is a stick dulcimer – a form of Appalachian Mountain Lap Dulcimer arranged to be held more like a guitar. There are several brands available, Strumstick is one, but many are home made, often from kits. The dulcimer is probably the easiest musical instrument to play. An explanation of [stick dulcimers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqVtcqookLg). The video that got me interested in playing dulcimer several years ago: [Julie Ann Johnson on mountain dulcimer - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7GEPFec2e4) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/6 "2014-07-25T17:01:48Z")
Seagull has a nice 4 string dulcimer similar to the strum stick. [http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MerlinMSG?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CMyv4bv34L8CFUKCMgodlA8AFA](http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MerlinMSG?device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CMyv4bv34L8CFUKCMgodlA8AFA) ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/7 "2014-07-25T18:10:41Z")
Thanks, all! **BrainGlutton,** the giant guitar is something the band got at a pawn shop a while back, if I remember correctly. I think it’s just called a guitar. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/8 "2014-07-25T18:16:26Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Could be a [balalaika](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balalaika) but the soundbox doesn’t look that big. > > What is the name of that humongous guitar, I wonder? I’ll second that it’s not a balalaika. I’ve got one, and it’s the piccolo balalaika, the smallest one, so I can tell you that as they change size, they scale up or down; the proportions don’t change. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-instrument-small-triangular-guitar-like-thing/694025/9 "2014-07-25T18:21:42Z")
> [@EmilyG](#): > > Thanks, all! > > **BrainGlutton,** the giant guitar is something the band got at a pawn shop a while back, if I remember correctly. I think it’s just called a guitar. 🙂 Based on that vid, “drum” would be a better name.