Ivan Mulia makes guitars unlike anything else out there. With workmanship that is on a level that seems almost impossible, it is apparent from the moment you are near one of these guitars that you are in the presence of magic. Yet in spite of their other worldly quality iVee guitars are clearly the products of down-to-earth passion. There's no "artisan" intimidation factor here, just honesty in its purist form. These are instruments who's deep musicality extends all the way back to the originating spark of an idea in the builder's mind. Every curve of the etchings and the placement of every fret is somehow "musical." And that's even before you plug one in or pick one up to play it.
Ivan Mulia of iVee guitars is truly Indonesia's best kept secret.
The iVee New-T
The iVee New-T's origins are clear from its shape and pickup configuration, yet this isn't a typical T-style guitar. The ornate brass plate construction and bold hardware choices take this guitar far from its origins into new territory for the guitar world, without sacrificing an ounce of tonal flexibility. The New-T is and exploration of everything a guitar can be.
A little cultural background on Barong from Ivan Mulia
Barong is a lion-like creature and character in the mythology of Bali, Indonesia. He is the king of the spirits, leader of the hosts of good, and enemy of Rangda, the demon queen and mother of all spirit guarders in the mythological traditions of Bali. The battle between Barong and Rangda is featured in Barong dance to represent the eternal battle between good and evil. The barong animal mask dance, together with the sanghyang dance are considered native Balinese dances, predating Hindu influences. The native Indonesians of Austronesian heritage often have similar mask dances that represent either ancestral or natural spirits; an example is Dayak's Hudoq dance. The term barong is thought to have been derived from the local term bahruang, which today corresponds to the Indonesian word beruang which means "bear." It refers to a good spirit that took the form of an animal as the guardian of forest. In Balinese mythology, the good spirit is identified as Banas Pati Raja. Banas Pati Raja is the fourth "brother" or spirit child that accompanies a child throughout their life, which is a similar concept to guardian angels. Banas Pati Raja is the spirit which animates Barong. A protector spirit, he is often represented as a lion. The Barong is often portrayed accompanied by two monkeys. Barong is portrayed as a lion with red head, covered in white thick fur, and wearing gilded jewelry adorned with pieces of mirrors. The shape of lion Barong is somewhat similar to a Pekingese dog. The origins of the Barong are far back in time and quite uncertain. Its origins could be from animist worship, before Hinduism appeared, when villagers still believed in the supernatural protective power of animals.
- SN: 160602
- Body: brass plate, 1mm with Balinese Barong etching
- Body, side: brass, 1mm
- Colors: black w/ polished brass contours
- Hardware: black
- Neck pocket: aluminum
- Neck: maple/rosewood
- Radius: 12"
- Scale length: 25.5"
- No. of frets: 22
- Nut: Graphtech tusQ
- Nut width: 1.65"
- String spacing: 1.4"
- Machine heads: Sperzel
- Bridge: Hipshot Trilogy, multi tuning adjutments
- Pickups: Handwound Ganèé
- Hybrid controls: vol (Bourns), tone (Bourns w/.033@400v Russian K40Y-9), Fender 4 pos lever switch
- Case: Hardshell included