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Ozark Ingenuity

These unique guitars and fiddle were built by Ed Stilley (see An Ozark Project in my Tabblo's) Kelly has gathered all the guitars he could find made by Ed for these photos. These instruments have all kinds of sound enhancers placed inside of them. There are springs, saw blades and who knows what.

 
Springs and things inside
 
Kelly now owns this, his Butterfly Guitar
 
The tuners seem to be the only "real" guitar parts on these guitars
 
Natural knot hole, frets are usually welding rods
 
The Devil's in the details, Stilley avoids him
 
Donna's Violin
 
This banjo was built by Jim Lee. I love the details!
 
Family out enjoying a beautiful Ozark spring day
 
Ed Stilley blows a mean harp!
COMMENTS
Wildthing said at 5:54 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
Great home-crafted instruments. And I bet they sound terrific...in the right hands.
Fuzzy said at 5:58 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
Thanks for adding this to the Ozark group... we had Donna and Kelly visit our home for a house concert last spring and were completely fascinated by Ed's instruments. I wish I knew where to find any that need appreciative homes... we'd love to help make sure his work survives. It was a magical evening!
Kbass9 said at 6:07 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
They do sound great in an odd way. Kelly and Donna recorded a Christmas album with some of these instruments and it's amazing.

Fuzzy, If you contact Kelly he may be able to help you with that.
Moabjeeper said at 7:19 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
Wonderful instruments. Would be great to hear them.
Andre. said at 7:44 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
These would fit right at Halloween concert :)
Pkeener said at 7:51 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
Oh wow, Kirk. These photos are so artistic an beautiful and the tabblo is a fine piece of work, What a great way to exhibit these instruments. Ed is a Luthier of interest and wonder! I can;t imagine what the things inside do to the sound.

The autumn leaf motif is just gorgeous on the black background.
Littlefiddle said at 9:15 p.m. on Oct 30, 2009:
Kirk, I could not be more pleased with these! By the way, this is Kelly (the owner of the instruments) and I hope you will check out our web site, stillonthehill.com to see more of Kirk's wonderful pictures. You can actually hear Ed Stilley sing and play on these guitars if you go to the 'Ozark' page and the is an album of Christmas music played on the butterfly guitar in our music page.
Mannyzuniega said at 6:56 a.m. on Oct 31, 2009:
wow..many different guitar styles...i am interested to play one of them.
Chilla said at 2:52 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
A great collection of these unique instruments! A lovely Tabblo
Kenrg said at 5:45 p.m. on Nov 3, 2009:
Amazing stuff! Really beautiful folk art, as well as original instruments.
Gerardfotografeert said at 4:53 p.m. on Nov 4, 2009:
Wow, what a beautiful collection. awesome shots and lay-out. Great work and art
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