custom built orchestra by diego stocco

‘custom built orchestra’ by diego stocco

using components and parts from instruments with structural damages and the hardware store, california-based sound designer and composer diego stocco has developed a custom built orchestra. taking advantage of the fact that every year, hundreds of musical production item get thrown away or sold for parts, the conception introduces a multi-track piece performance including a series of custom made classic percussion cellos, violins, and more.

custom built orchestra courtesy of diego stocco

left: ‘tonal metals’right: ‘experviolin’

the ‘experiviolin’ has the body of a violin, the neck of an electric guitar and acoustic guitar strings. it only has two strings because the neck of the guitar is flat and having four strings like a regular violin would make playing it unpractical. it still retains some of the tonal colors of a violin but the tone is different, also due to the custom tuning.

left: ‘arcophonico’right: ‘textural flute’

the arcophonico was built by using a found tree branch. the electro-acoustic instrument is amplified with a pick up and a built-in piezo microphone. it has three sections, the bass with a fretted metallic neck, a two strings cello-like section and a vertical double bass string that can be played by pinching. it can be played with a bow, a chop stick, small metallic bars or picks.  the ‘textural flute’ produces mostly overtones due to the restricted air passages. it combines a penny whistle, plastic pipes and the bell of a trombone.

left: ‘sub-bass column’ right:  ‘double frame drum’

the ‘sub-bass column’ is based on two thick elastic cords, it can be played tonally by pressing the cords in the right position. it makes a very low and thumping sound, making it useful as a tonal percussive instrument. the ‘double frame drum’ produces a much lower and deep sound than a regular frame drum. it’s also waterproof inside in case it needs to be filled up with water.

‘sound board percussions’

‘harpiano’