English Concertina - This is the smallest member of the accordion family. Patented in 1829 by Charles Wheatstone, it reached its peak in popularity in the late 1800s.

 Musical Saw - Both the Germans and Swedes are credited with the discovery that music could be coaxed out of a common saw. The "instrument" reached its height of popularity during the heyday of vaudeville, early in the 20th century.

 Appalachian Dulcimer - either strummed or finger-picked, this instrument is related to the older European board and fretted zithers. Chris plays a 4-string dulcimer.

 Harp Zither-the left-hand thumb plays the chords, while the right-hand fingers play the melody on this late 19th century instrument. Chris' harp zither was built by Lincoln Luthier Dale London.

 Ukelin - The ukelin is really a bowed zither. The left thumb play the chords while you bow with the right hand.

 Mandolin Guitar - On many zithers, the melody strings are single, but this instrument has them doubled in the same way you would fine a mandolin. The chords are strummed with the left index finger, and the melody strings are played with a plectrum or flatpick by the right hand.

 Mandolin - Developed in Italy in the 17th century, it was brought to America where it caught on in the late half of the 19th century. Chris plays a mandolin that is similar to those issued to servicemen in WWI.

 Button accordion - Developed in Austria, Germany and France, this is the classic push/pull system with the added luxury of a simple bass or rhythm. Chris plays the one-row accordion.

 Autoharp - This is actually a chorded zither. Invented in 1892 by accordion maker Carl Zimmerman, this instrument greatly simplified the learning of music and was sold via mail order catalogs of the day.

 Clawhammer banjo - More a style of playing than a specific instrument, this method was perfected in the Appalachian Mountains. Chris says, "Once you're hooked, you're hooked."

 Resophonic Guitar - Commonly called a "Dobro", the guitar was developed in America in the 1920s. Popular with both country and blues musicians, it's played either on the lap "Hawaiian" style or upright like a regular guitar.

 Lap Steel Guitar - An electric version of the Dobro popular from the 1930s to the 1950s, everything from Hawaiian to western swing music was played on these instruments. They can be found nowadays gathering dust in pawnshops and flea markets.