I was prompted by Luca's guitars to start this thread: http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=35427.0
It is evident from watching more and more players playing fingerstyle in the "Michael Hedges" style that acoustic guitar design is heading in a "new" direction nl. multiscale guitars, with the best of long and standard scale lengths in one guitar.
Seems more and more folks are playing these of which the latest is "our own" Joseph! :smile:
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=31383.0
Exiting times, that's for sure.
Any thoughts?
Forgive my ignorance :blush: but just what does a multi-scale guitar do for you and how is it played differently? :donut :donut :coffee (since I sound like a newby....
Was in a music store in Seattle on Saturday and ran across a Baritone 10 String guitar with a multiple scale fan fret design. Because of my hand issues I didn't attempt to play it but it sure did look interesting. A 10 string sure has a wide fingerboard. :ohmy:
A multi-scale guitar allows the use of string gauges and tensions that offer more even balance across the strings. This is especially useful in guitars that are tuned low, or in guitars with a high number of strings.
Tuning a large diameter string (.070) for a low A on a regular scale guitar would require very little tension, resulting in a loose feel and flabby tone. If you increase the scale length you need to increase the tension proportionally, using the same gauge string tuned to the same pitch. On a 30" scale that same 0.70 gauge string will feel good and provide a distinct sound that blends well with the other strings.
If I were to put a multi-scale in my stable, this is the one I want....
(http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/common/sitemedia//G1ff7_lg_01.jpg)
Here's mine.
The low E scale is 25 3/4" and the high E is 24 3/4". The idea is to balance out the strings, the shorter delivering crisp and cutting highs, the longer giving a more pronouced focused bass. Multiscale or fanned fret instruments have been around for hundreds of years, which makes it a little funny that it's considered "modern". Just like a piano where the optimal tone is achieved with longer length on bigger guaged strings and a shorter length on lighter strings. Ergonomically, it is a bit easier to play because there's less bend and torque on my wrist to play the same chords at the top and bottom ends of the fret board.
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/gmg_03/000_5416.jpg)
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/gmg_03/000_5547.jpg)
Hey Ron
:+1: thanx for helping out here! - you've pretty much explained it and I can't really add much except that these instruments are pretty much the talk of town now.
The guitar in your pic is a magnificent specimen from the Michael Greenfield stable - a G4.2 Don Alder model.
http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/greenfieldguitars.aspx?section=49&par=p
Andy McKee is another playing Greenfields.
Although that one has a long scale length on the bass side to go down ultra low into Baritone territory, they are produced in moderate low configurations too to play a "comfy" dropped D or DADGAD supremos like the one Joseph had made very recently.
http://www.larriveeforum.com/smf/index.php?topic=31383.0
Greenfield's version:
http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/greenfieldguitars.aspx?section=64&par=g
Some sound bites can be found here:
http://www.greenfieldguitars.com/gg.aspx?section=63&par=p
a Mate of mine is having one made Michael Bashkin.
Ron, is that your guitar, its outstanding!
Thanks Joseph - ok maybe not modern but rather "gaining popularity"?
:tongue:
Check out this beautie owned by Paul Heumiller, owner of Dream Guitars made by Ervin Somogyi. It is a 12 fret 000 body with a 26" scale at the bass side and 25" at the treble, suitable for a dropped D or even C.
http://www.dreamguitars.com/detail.php?id=1334
(http://dreamguitars.com/products/somogyi/somogyi_000_12_404/images/full.jpg)
(http://dreamguitars.com/products/somogyi/somogyi_000_12_404/images/frontangle2_600.jpg)
Wow, the detail if work is impressive,. So are you getting the multiscale bug? Have you ever played one?
Quote from: bluesman67 on February 07, 2011, 11:36:47 AM
Wow, the detail if work is impressive,. So are you getting the multiscale bug? Have you ever played one?
No, sadly not - I stay in Africa remember? :blush: Let's just say "intrigued" but biiig time!!
Once yours is played in, I could come crash with you for a couple of days to taste the pudding?
:tongue: :tongue:
No, serious mate, I'm so anxious to hear your review on that Terrific Slopey of yours.
Quote from: Zohn on February 07, 2011, 11:42:58 AM
No, sadly not - I stay in Africa remember? :blush: Let's just say "intrigued" but biiig time!!
Once yours is played in, I could come crash with you for a couple of days to taste the pudding?
:tongue: :tongue:
No, serious mate, I'm so anxious to hear your review on that Terrific Slopey of yours.
Green Mountain can ship to South Africa so maybe give it some thought or call Glen and talk to him. If that doesn't work, my door is open!
Quote from: bluesman67 on February 07, 2011, 11:49:58 AM
Green Mountain can ship to South Africa so maybe give it some thought or call Glen and talk to him. If that doesn't work, my door is open!
:cheers Thanx Joseph - I would love that!!
I need to sell some guitars first though, and if nothing else, there is always the option of building one myself (after the L-00).
Glen? - well what can I say - that would be the ultimate - I would
love one of his creations. :+1:
Quote from: bluesman67 on February 07, 2011, 11:29:34 AM
Ron, is that your guitar, its outstanding!
No, unfortunately. I can dream though, can't I? :drool:
Quote from: ronmac on February 07, 2011, 01:39:24 PM
No, unfortunately. I can dream though, can't I? :drool:
Nothing wrong with that, in fact I've learned that folks start having problems when they stop dreaming.
Quote from: Zohn on February 07, 2011, 11:31:42 AM
Thanks Joseph - ok maybe not modern but rather "gaining popularity"?
:tongue:
Check out this beautie owned by Paul Heumiller, owner of Dream Guitars made by Ervin Somogyi. It is a 12 fret 000 body with a 26" scale at the bass side and 25" at the treble, suitable for a dropped D or even C.
http://www.dreamguitars.com/detail.php?id=1334
(http://dreamguitars.com/products/somogyi/somogyi_000_12_404/images/full.jpg)
(http://dreamguitars.com/products/somogyi/somogyi_000_12_404/images/frontangle2_600.jpg)
:nice guitar: very interesting bridge and rosette.
Yeah, I was wondering what the "bridge sandwich" is, and the reasoning for it.
Somogyi just has such a fine aesthetic touch...man, that rosette is awesome!
I believe it is a strip of silver or stainless steel wire that is inlayed onto the saddle's top edge. The same was done at the nut.