The guitar was my first instrument, circa 1960.
Since we had only one guitar for a short while, my brother and I both learned mouth harp to play some Sonny & Brownie tunes
I bought my first mandolin in the mid sixties.
I built a dulcimer in the early seventies and bought a better one at a yard sale in the early eighties.
I quit smoking 40 years ago and put the money aside. I used it to buy my first five string banjo.
I learned to play Autoharp on one that belonged to the school where I taught and bought a few of my own later.
I also play tenor banjo.
I have played at piano accordion, button accordion and English concertina, but have neglected them lately.
My newest instruments are the Filipino banduria, The ukulele and the tiple.
My wife says, "The concept of enough hasn't gotten through to Jim."
I'd probably be a much better guitarist if I'd stuck to it only.
updated by @jim-yates: 01/01/16 12:10:47PM
This is a Marine Band Special in C that was given to me by my ex-father-in-law. It's a 12 hole diatonic with a wooden comb.
This is a 10 hole Hohner Echo Super Vamper in A that I bought in Scotland circa 1969 when my Marine Band in A crapped out. It's identical to the Marine Band except for the top cover plate. I haven't been to the British Isles in many years and am not sure if these are still available over there. Perhaps they now sell Marine Bands over there.
This plastic parts box was bought at Canadian Tire. It jst happened to fit six harps perfectly and fits in a guitar case. The Elton harp rack is one that I bought in the early sixties, right after I first saw Jimmy Reed. The only modifications I've made is lock washers and a bend in the frame so that it hit my mouth at the proper angle.
These are my dulcimer capos. The elastic band/chopstick capo has been in use for over 30 years with occasional replacement elastics, but the same chopstick.
