Specifications
- Size: 129 × 30 × 11 cm frame
- Material: cherry wood frame, ash wood soundboard
- Tuning: D (can be lowered a semitone to C#)
- Strings: 20 plain overtone strings (d), 10 wound bass strings (D), 4-string tambura (D, d, d, a), 12-string koto (root d)
- Accessories: foot, round stand, tuning key, tuner, spare strings, 12 koto bridges, tuning template, tambura bridge
- Weight: 10.0 kg
- Finish: natural hard wax oil
- Origin: Germany
Sound and character
The KOTAMO is the Feeltone workshop's flagship: three string-instrument traditions united in one body. The 30-string monochord surface, tuned to D, creates an endless, floating overtone field – a gentle stroke of the fingertips brings forth a deep, undulating carpet of sound that fills every corner of the room. The 12-string koto adds harp-like, ringing melodies, while the Indian tambura provides a buzzing, meditative drone.
How to use
The new construction lets you position the koto bridges with the included template for koto, GuCheng or guitarist playing. In the classic Japanese/Chinese setup the plucking hand is on the right and the highest tone is closest to the body – recommended for beginners. Guitarists may prefer the reversed layout where their virtuosity sits on the left hand. The koto is tuned D-diatonic, with two notes below and two above the D scale, so it actually starts in B minor, the relative minor of D major – you get two scales at once.
Why this product
If you are a sound therapist, sound artist or guitarist seeking new sonic territory, the KOTAMO offers both meditative monochord immersion and tonal melodic playing. Meditation, harp-like lightness and Asian melodic worlds meet in a single instrument – in a high-quality cherry frame with an ash soundboard, built by hand.
Care tips
- Play the monochord surface with soft fingertips in long sweeping motions – this is how the endless sound carpet emerges.
- Pluck the tambura strings outward and upward to reveal the traditional buzzing (jiva) effect.
- Slide the koto bridges left or right to set up your own scales – it takes practice but gives full freedom.
- Check the tuning regularly with the tuner, especially in the first weeks.
About Feeltone
Feeltone is a craft instrument workshop in Lassan, northern Germany, founded by Ingo Böhme. For more than two decades they have built monochords, sound beds, sound chairs and ceremonial drums for therapists, sound artists and meditation practitioners. Every instrument is hand-built from certified sustainably sourced wood and finished with natural treatments (hard wax oil).