‘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

 

 custom built orchestra by 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.

 

 

 

 

 

custom built orchestra by diego stocco

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.

 

 

custom built orchestra by diego stocco

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.

 

 

custom built orchestra by diego stocco

‘sound board percussions’

 

 

custom built orchestra by diego stocco

‘harpiano’