Daxophone (1993), by Hans Reichel

Daxophone (1993)

by Hans Reichel

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	1.	Daxophone (Side A) 03:54
	2.	Daxophone (Side B) 04:06		buy track

about

Hans Reichel
Daxophone
1993
Table of the Elements
[Beryllium] TOE-SS-4
7” single

Released in early 1993, the first single on Table of the Elements features Hans Reichel on the Daxophone, an instrument of his own design and construction. Packaged entirely in green, with transparent green vinyl; limited edition of 1000.

“Put simply, the Daxophone comprises a narrow flat strip of wood anchored at one end. It can be bowed, scraped, tapped or otherwise vibrated, and the frequency of vibration can be varied by the application of a mobile wooden block anywhere along the length. The flat strips are approximately 330 mm in length, 30 mm wide and 5mm deep; they are shaped from different woods and with different contours to provide a variety of sound generators.

“These 'daxophone sticks' are anchored at one end. Initially, any firm anchor was used, for example, by clamping to a table top, but more recently a tripod stand has been developed that not only holds the sticks in a more controllable environment but also provides a base for a small contact microphone.

“The degree of vibration of the strip—and thus its sonic capabilities—can be varied by pressing a rounded wooden wedge of approximately 150 mm by 50 mm wide backwards and forwards along its length. This is the 'dax.' Reichel has also produced a range of daxes, one being notched to take guitar-like frets on one side, which enables a scale of distinct notes to be created, in comparison to the slide notes on its other side.

“With regard to the name of the instrument, Reichel states that he had a Swedish LP called Mammal Voices of Northern Europe, Vol. I, which featured wolves, rats, bats, field mice and also a badger (German: dachs). Being impressed by the badger's great sonic range, the instrument was then given its name, with echoes of Adolphe Sax and then the 'chs' was changed to 'x' 'because I got fed up with having to keep on repeating the story.'"

"The daxophone is completely a Reichel creation, and it is as much a masterwork in carpentry as it is an instrument. A block of wood (the "dax") changes the vibration frequency of a wooden blade inside another block with contact microphones. Whether plucked or bowed, these different shapes of wood create extraordinary sounds, many of which sound strangely human. Reichel, ever the tinkerer, has built a number of his own instruments, though none of them speak to awesomeness quite like the daxophone." 

--National Public Radio

credits

released January 1, 1993

Design and executive production: Jeff Hunt
Remastering 2024: James Plotkin
Product photo: Bradly Brown
c/p1993 Table of the Elements
All Rights Reserved.

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Table of the Elements Archive Connecticut

Since 1993, Table of the Elements has staked its claim on a massive enterprise. It intends nothing less than to rewrite the history of American music in the second half of the 20th century -- and beyond. The label’s 150-plus releases are a vital contemporary chronicle, a survey of meaningful eruptions across a broad horizon of improvised, experimental, minimal and outsider sounds. ... more

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