The H'arpeggione is inspired by the Norweigan Hardanger fiddle, an elegantly ornamented and sympathetic strung violin, plus the arpeggione, a bowed guitar from Italy. They are now considered period instruments, yet both occupy a proud place in our genetic memory. The H'arpeggione also builds on Fred's incredible 18-stringed Sympitars (acoustic guitars with a buzzing kick), and on a bowed variation he made right before the H'arp called the Guitarangi da Gamba. Combined with my objective of expanding the limits of guitar pitch-, color-, texture-, and looks-wise; the nearly impossible reconciling of plucked and bowed, complex and simple; and a sense that this was to be a lifetime's devotion, we arrived via Fred's Olympic toil at the H'arpeggione. Recycled ancient redwood top with a cello's arch, black walnut sides and flat back, a maple neck, and ebony fingerboard. Six main strings, and 12 that resonate on their own. A spike to the ground. What strikes me most about it is the peghead. It's a bangle burning an eternal flame and a comfortable majority of strings diving in a secret port to anchor unscathed their own bridge. I spent hundreds of hours trying to learn how to play the H'arpeggione. I've now spent thousands of hours no longer trying, just going where it takes me.