Francis Mangels

Francis is known all over Siskiyou and Shasta 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 almost 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, Celtic, 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 extinct Saxon or Viking Hexachord Lyra and the Greek Kithara, the Harp of King David in the Bible. Francis makes and plays correctly the instrument of Psalms 33:2, and is at this time, the only 10-string Kithara player in the world.

Charitable 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, retired, so I don’t need standard rates. I am not a business and don’t make reportable income. It’s a labor of love for churches and charities.”

Francis Mangels
Phone: (530) 926-0311
Email: bioguy0311@sbcglobal.net

Francis can currently perform on the following 57 instruments:

Saxon Harp (High Head)

Celtic Harp (Low Head)

Lap Harp

.
Flatback Mandolin

Florentine Mandolin

Mandore/Mandola

.
Tenor Banjo

Plectrum Banjo

Amercan Banjo

Bluegrass 5-string Banjo

Concert Banjo

Civil War Banjo

Banjolin or Mandolin-banjo

.

Balalaika

Bouzouki

Lute

Banjo-lute

Soprano Ukulele

Tenor Ukelele

Baritone Ukulele

12 string Guitar

Spanish Classic Guitar

Steel 6 string Guitar

Hawaiian Guitar

Tenor 4 string Guitar

Parlor Guitar

Dobro

.

Soprano Dulcimer

Alto Dulcimer

Tenor/Baritone Dulcimer

Parlor Dulcimer

.
.
Fiddle or violin

.

Concert German Zither

Ukelin Zither

Violin Ukelin Zither

Tremoloa Zither

Guitar Chord Zither

Psaltery Zither

Celestephone Zither

Saxon 2 Chord Zither

Saxon 3 Chord Zither

.

Saxon Hexachord Lyra

Kithara (Harp of David)

Autoharp -6 bar

Autoharp -12 bar bluegrass

Autoharp -17 bar

.

Upright Bass

.
Mouth Bow

Harmonica Set

.

Jews Trump/Jaw Harp

Kalimba (Thumb Piano)

Limberjack

Drums (dumbek)

Nose Flute

.

Spoons

Misc. Noisemakers