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Francis MangelsFrancis is known all over Siskiyou County, and internationally in the Medieval Society as a poet, musician, singer and instrument-maker. If he can’t find some odd stringed instrument, he makes it. To that end, he thus performs on all the stringed instruments in Western Civilization.
He is an excellent singer, preferring the range of a Basso Profundo with a pianist. However, put a beer in his hand and he’s belting out bluegrass. He does a large variety of styles, notably classic, folk, old-time, bluegrass, older pops, and anything written before 1600 A.D.
Considering ancient music, Francis is an awarded Bard in the Society for Creative Anachronism. His independent research has produced working models of the Saxon or Viking Hexachord Lyra and the Greek Kithara, the Harp of King David in the Bible. Francis has made and plays correctly the instrument of Psalms 33:2, and is at this time, the only 10 string Kithara player in the world.
Chartable and non-profit groups know Francis very well as a volunteer musician who often donates his talent. Groups or businesses who hire Francis find his rate adjustments for Siskiyou County very reasonable. “My music is essentially non-profit. As long as I can pay for maintenance of my instruments, travel, and miscellaneous expenses, I’m doing fine. I’m retired, so I don’t need standard notes. Actually, I’m not a business and don’t make a reportable income. It’s a labor of love for churches and charities."
Francis can currently perform on the following 46 instruments:
Flalback Mandolin
Florentine Mandoline
Tenor Banjo
Plectrum Banjo
Amercan Banjo
BG Banjo
Concert Banjo
Civil War Banjo Curiousity
Ukelele
Baritone Uke
Blalaika
Alto Ukelele
Alto Ukelele
Saxon 2 Chord Zither
Saxon 3 Chord Zither
Saxon Hexachord Lyra
Kithara (Harp of David)
Lute
12 string Guitar
Spanish classic Guitar
Steel 6 string Guitar
Hawaiian Guitar
Tenor 4 string Guitar
Parlor Guitar
Soprano Dulcimer
Alto Dulcimer
Tenor/Baritone Dulcimer
Parlor Dulcimer
Mouth Bow
Concert German Zither
Ukelin Zither
Violin Ukelin Zither
Tremaloa Zither
Guitar Chort Zither
Psaltery Zither
Autoharp Fiddle-4 bar
Autoharp Fiddle-12 bar bluegrass
Autoharp Fiddle-17 bar
Tenor Ukelele
Upright Bass
Celestephone Zither
Dobro
Harmonica Set
Kalimba (Thumb Piano)
Limbujack
Drums (dumbek)
Nose Flute
Misc. Noisemakers
Francis Mangels
Phone:(530) 926-0311
Email: bioguy0311@sbcglobal.net