Kaikohe musician Tip Nikora can belt out 'Ten Guitars' no problem, but he's set his sights on 8000 guitars, all in Kaikohe and all being played simultaneously in his home town on Saturday, to set a new world record.
Breaking the current world record of 7273, set in Poland earlier this year, in a town with a total population of just over 4000 might seem a little optimistic, but Tip reckons it's possible, as long as he can draw in guitarists from across the Far North and as far away as Whangarei.
At the very least he is convinced Kaikohe can set a record for the biggest group of guitarists relative to the town's population.
The tune selected for the record attempt is 'Ten Guitars,' written by Engelbert Humperdinck; the current record was set with Jimi Hendrix' Hey Joe.
Tip, who drives a school bus and is a founding member of the Kaikohe Music Club, said he had taken part in a previous record attempt at Sky City a few years ago but had always wanted to give it a shot at home, where there was no shortage of musicians or talented youth.
The record bid will take place at Maihi Park (also known as the Kaikohe rugby league field) on Recreation Road, opposite the Pioneer Village, from 4pm to 7pm, after the town's Christmas parade.
A mass practice every half hour would lead up to the record attempt around 6 to 6.30pm. Participants will need to bring a guitar but should leave alcohol and/or drugs at home.
To register email nikora.contra@hotmail.com or send a text to (021) 254-0714.
If you're not sure of the tune, look for Tip Nikora and the Boyz Ten Guitars in a practice session on YouTube.
