GuitarViol
The GuitarViol is a modern version of the Arpeggione bowed guitar built by guitarist and luthier Jonathan Eric Wilson. It has six strings tuned in E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4 in a standard (tenor) guitar tuning, though some tune in baritone tuning in B1–E2–A2–D3–F#3–B3, with 24 frets. It is most often played in a semi-diagonal, guitar-like playing position and bowed with an underhand “German” bow grip manner similar to the viola da gamba. GuitarViols exist in solid body electric, semi-acoustic, and acoustic configurations. GuitarViols have been predominantly used by media composers, with notable examples including 300, Game of Thrones, and Borderlands.
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Bowed string instrument |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.322-71 (Composite chordophone sounded by a bow) |
| Developed | Late 20th century |
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GuitarViols are built under the TogaMan brand by GuitarViols inc. in Fillmore, California. The brand's name is derived from a toga tenor viol player portrayed in “Noces de Cana” by Paolo Veronese which depicts a playing position used by GuitarViols players.
Notable GuitarViol players include Tyler Bates, Loga Ramin Torkian, Kevin Kiner, Ramin Djawadi, Heitor Pereira, Charlie Clouser, Gary Lionelli, Brian Tyler, Jeff Cardoni, and Justin Melland among others.