It's a modern take on the old Harp Guitars made by Dyer and Gibson around the turn of the 19th/20th century. This is a nylon string version made by a guy named Mike Doolin. It was commissioned specifically so that its dimensions would allow the case to fit in an airplane overhead luggage container (it looks large, but Muriel is quite small - perhaps 5'2"). It's essentially a 6-string classical guitar tuned a step up due to its size, with 7 addition bass strings and 7 additional high strings (though there seems to be a slot for an 8th). If you plug "Muriel Anderson Harp Guitar" into YouTube you can find a bunch of stuff, but much of it is with her previous instrument that lacks the higher strings. The lower strings add longer, deep and sustaining bass notes. The higher strings act essentially as an extra set of high notes that melodies can be played on. She did a wonderful version of Dire Straits' "Why Worry" on it that hasn't managed to find its way onto YouTube or I'd link it (there's one on a guitar without the higher strings). Very cool instrument, but beyond my abilities as a fingerstyle player. Michael Hedges was an amazing player who is likely responsible for raising awareness of just what was capable on this type of instrument back in the early 80's. If you're into guitar and have never heard of him check out some of the YouTube videos of him.
