Back in 2019, Rhayader-based instrumentalist Toby Hay released New Music for the 12 String Guitar, a twelve-track album born from a competition-winning commission for a new Fylde twelve string guitar for Toby by the State51 Conspiracy record label. Moving forward, Toby has clearly realised the joys of tuning half as many strings, for here we have New Music for the 6 String Guitar, an album inspired by his new Fylde Ariel guitar, a parlour made of similar timbers to his twelve string and inlaid with a curlew bird (the twelve string has a red kite).
As with 12 String, the album is just Toby playing solo guitar for live takes, engineered by his brother Tim, and recorded again at Real World Studios. As you would expect, similar timbers or not, the timbres (ahem) of the two mentioned instruments differ wildly, with the six string space between notes creating a more intimate environment than the cathedral-like tone of the twelve string. One positive of this is that both albums can sit together as very different sonic beasts, and another is that the compositions and playing styles can also come from a different place.
This is immediately apparent on Celyn, a tune that begins with a light flickering guitar line that slides into some complex, super-quick flexing before dropping into a lovely, slower, earnest-picked line. All done in two minutes and change, it is a subtle demonstration of Toby’s ability and the gorgeous tone of his new instrument.
Elsewhere, Bwrw Glaw Blues is another short track, this time a super-cool blues number, laconic in comparison to some of the songs here, but no less effective for it. Another miniature is the traditional This Parting Glass, something of a companion piece to 12 String’s Auld Lang Syne, here played at a leisurely pace in under two minutes, with each note as clear as a bell and the phrasing accentuating the bittersweet nature of the piece.
Like 12 String, New Music for the 6 String Guitar is a study in economy that focuses purely on player and instrument, with the clean production picking up the nuances of Toby’s fine new instrument. Appropriately, the themes present are geared towards nature and the outdoors, a perfect match for such pure music. Just listen to Walks Downhill, a beautifully unassuming, innocent-sounding melody that highlights the wonderful simplicity of the six string guitar. The twelve string absolutely has its own big-natured appeal, but for space and economy, the little Fylde parlour delivers in abundance. The contrast between the albums highlights Hay’s versatility, yet a shared sense of purity, warmth, and meditative focus unites them; perfect siblings, each a pleasure to listen to.
New Music for the 6 String Guitar (June 6th, 2025) The state51 Conspiracy
Order (Vinyl/CD): https://state51.greedbag.com/buy/new-music-for-the-6-string-guita-1/
Toby Hay Tour dates:
June 6th | The Lost Arc | Rhayader
June 7th | Broadside Hacks Folk Club at Theatreship | London
June 11th | The Feather Star | Wirksworth
June 12th | Cafe#9 | Sheffield
June 15th | Bettws Triangle Festival | Bettws-y-Crwyn
June 21st | Cwtch Cafe | Pembroke Dock
June 24th | Weirdshire | Hereford
June 29th | The Globe | Hay on Wye
July 3rd | Bank Vault | Aberystwyth
July 5th | Parc Arts | Pontypridd
July 10th | Bandcamp Live Stream | Online