Click any image to enlarge.
- Key: C/B
- Length: 67.5″
- Bell: 4″
- Mouthpiece: Padauk, Sapele, Canary
- Back pressure: Strong
- Wall thickness: Very thick
I found this incredible old soul after I was heading back for the day and noticed it laying by the side of the road. It had fallen down a huge cliff, caught most likely in the recent crazy spring winds we have been experiencing. This is one of the oldest and thickest agaves that I have worked on. 95% of stalks wouldn’t make it to this stage. I am guessing the age at around 3-4 years baking in the desert sun, withstanding monsoons, and the cold we get on occasion in these higher desert areas. You can feel the age and wisdom in its drone right when you begin to play it. It is deep both in note and feeling. It has a delightfully calming drone with crystal clear overtones and vocals are so strong on this one. I have such a love for these ancient stalks and all the cracks and bug holes that give it so much character and style. There is some sweet turquoise inlays as well that accent these rugged features. In my traditional old soul style of making and in general I leave many of the cracks instead of filling them to be flush. Don’t worry as this stalk is a beast and none of the cracks will spread or go through. These are the strongest of all the agaves and so fun to play these ancient rare stalks. Great for the player who is using didge for more trance and meditative style of playing. Of course it can go as fast as you can play but this one tells the player to slow down and experience the calming vibrations.
