Leinster Leader 18 September 1965
Invented ‘Multi-sound’ Guitar
A Kilcock man who has been living in England for the past number of years has invented a remarkable new musical instrument. He is 34-year-old Michael Dillon, of Winnersh, Wakingham, and formerly of School Street, Kilcock. His father, Tom Dillon, was a postman in the town for many years. Before leaving Kilcock Michael was a member of the Clan Fitzgerald Pipers.
The instrument which looks like a double armed guitar can play rhythm and bass simultaneously. The other section can sound like a clarinet, various woodwind instruments, an ordinary lead guitar, supply Hawaiian music or something that sounds like a cross between a mandolin and a violin – all at the flick of a switch. And together with all this drums are played by pumped air.
Michael, who at the age of eight made a mandolin, calls his new method of instrumentation “multi-manipulation.” He shaped the instruments with a hatchet and knife and also made the pick-ups, etc. Together with a friend John Heighes, a former professional trad musician Michael has already written 300 songs – ranging from country and western and ballads to ballads and nursery songs. All being well they hope to begin performing with the new instrument later in the year.
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