Okay, first a pic.
Looks like it's black with binding, right? WRONG! It's a nearly-impossible to photograph sparkle finish, similar to G&L's Andromeda. It contains EVERY colour. Oh, and the binding is beautiful, right? IT'S NOT BINDING, it's masked, so the instrument is totally smooth.
Martin's daughter saw the finish and said it looks like a "space guitar" so that's what it's called. No relation to Bootsy's Space Bass though I have been known to enjoy running through lots of effects.
Now, you probably have some questions. Like:
"What the hell am I looking at?"
"Is this a bass?"
"If so, is it good for metal?"
"Isn't that string spacing too narrow for slap?"
Technically this is a touch guitar, a descendent of the Chapman stick and Warr guitar, which covers both the guitar and the bass range. I play it with two hands tapping, though of course I can also strum or play finger style. I'm not a good enough slapper but I bet someone else could do it. It is worn mostly upright. You can see the strap button on the front there, and the other one is on the rear of the lower horn.
Is this a bass? Well, it's got a precision pickup (Nordstrand power blade) and the lower 3 strings are flatwounds, and I use it quite often in the bass role. I developed a hand condition that makes it more painful to play bass and tapping is much less painful. Especially with gloves. I've been studying with a teacher for 3 years and switched over all the basslines in one of my bands to touch style. I'm going to work on doing that for a second band.
Tuning is Bb0FCGDACD4, with a mute on the first fret, so the lowest playable note is B if you pluck or C if you tap. And the top string is a step down from the highest string on guitar. So I'm also in the 5ths tuning club.
Is it good for metal? It will be used for post-metal among other things, so yes. Also fits the headless trend in that world.
A little more of the story: I've been through a few touch style instruments. I tried a NS stick, which is brilliant in a lot of ways but I'm not a fan of a totally flat radius. I got a Touch Guitars T8, which is a wonderful instrument but was just. too. heavy. for me. I did manage to record with it and it'll appear on a record before it goes. (If you are interested in such a thing, it will soon be up for sale). I took the T8 around the corner to Lutherie MF in Montreal, who made a very similar instrument but made it much much lighter (7#14oz).
I knew I liked headless from my experience with the NS, and with a Hohner The Jack, and in corresponding with @steubig about his 6-strings, he was very convincing that the lack of a headstock was a big advantage. I'd also been in touch with @emjazz who regularly sings Martin Keith's praises and plays his instruments. I got in touch with Martin, who was interested in the build (for a price, but that's fair!) and patiently worked with me to figure out all the details. There was a lot of research and back and forth. It took just about a year from start to finish, and I was able to pick it up in person last week. There are still a few details to be worked out, as there would be with any "prototype" or one of a kind instrument, but I can already say it plays wonderfully. I played it at volume last night with my post rock band and it sounded absolutely thunderous on the bottom and sweet on top through an Orange TB500 and Barefaced Super Compact. My hands were sailing around and the fanned frets only tripped me up at the very high end.
It also fits in a guitar case, which is really nice. It has a Mono M80 for when it's moving around. Otherwise it lives on a stand next to my desk.
Also, there is a magic sauce in Martin's necks. I can feel the resonance of the instrument in ways I've only ever felt in an acoustic instrument. It is a singular pleasure to play.
Specs, please:
Multiscale 34.5"-33"
Dual Nordstrand Power Blade pickups
VV-pickup switch-tone, all passive
Poplar body (oh please, that's "American Tulipwood" you philistine!)
Maple neck with a spruce core and carbon fibre layer
Luminlay side dots, also Luminlay K logo that will glow in the dark as well
Rosewood fretboard, 16" radius
Merca Guitars Tuners and Bridge
6#15oz
More pics please:
You are now welcome to ask any questions, or reply with your adoration of this gorgeous work of art.
Looks like it's black with binding, right? WRONG! It's a nearly-impossible to photograph sparkle finish, similar to G&L's Andromeda. It contains EVERY colour. Oh, and the binding is beautiful, right? IT'S NOT BINDING, it's masked, so the instrument is totally smooth.
Martin's daughter saw the finish and said it looks like a "space guitar" so that's what it's called. No relation to Bootsy's Space Bass though I have been known to enjoy running through lots of effects.
Now, you probably have some questions. Like:
"What the hell am I looking at?"
"Is this a bass?"
"If so, is it good for metal?"
"Isn't that string spacing too narrow for slap?"
Technically this is a touch guitar, a descendent of the Chapman stick and Warr guitar, which covers both the guitar and the bass range. I play it with two hands tapping, though of course I can also strum or play finger style. I'm not a good enough slapper but I bet someone else could do it. It is worn mostly upright. You can see the strap button on the front there, and the other one is on the rear of the lower horn.
Is this a bass? Well, it's got a precision pickup (Nordstrand power blade) and the lower 3 strings are flatwounds, and I use it quite often in the bass role. I developed a hand condition that makes it more painful to play bass and tapping is much less painful. Especially with gloves. I've been studying with a teacher for 3 years and switched over all the basslines in one of my bands to touch style. I'm going to work on doing that for a second band.
Tuning is Bb0FCGDACD4, with a mute on the first fret, so the lowest playable note is B if you pluck or C if you tap. And the top string is a step down from the highest string on guitar. So I'm also in the 5ths tuning club.
Is it good for metal? It will be used for post-metal among other things, so yes. Also fits the headless trend in that world.
A little more of the story: I've been through a few touch style instruments. I tried a NS stick, which is brilliant in a lot of ways but I'm not a fan of a totally flat radius. I got a Touch Guitars T8, which is a wonderful instrument but was just. too. heavy. for me. I did manage to record with it and it'll appear on a record before it goes. (If you are interested in such a thing, it will soon be up for sale). I took the T8 around the corner to Lutherie MF in Montreal, who made a very similar instrument but made it much much lighter (7#14oz).
I knew I liked headless from my experience with the NS, and with a Hohner The Jack, and in corresponding with @steubig about his 6-strings, he was very convincing that the lack of a headstock was a big advantage. I'd also been in touch with @emjazz who regularly sings Martin Keith's praises and plays his instruments. I got in touch with Martin, who was interested in the build (for a price, but that's fair!) and patiently worked with me to figure out all the details. There was a lot of research and back and forth. It took just about a year from start to finish, and I was able to pick it up in person last week. There are still a few details to be worked out, as there would be with any "prototype" or one of a kind instrument, but I can already say it plays wonderfully. I played it at volume last night with my post rock band and it sounded absolutely thunderous on the bottom and sweet on top through an Orange TB500 and Barefaced Super Compact. My hands were sailing around and the fanned frets only tripped me up at the very high end.
It also fits in a guitar case, which is really nice. It has a Mono M80 for when it's moving around. Otherwise it lives on a stand next to my desk.
Also, there is a magic sauce in Martin's necks. I can feel the resonance of the instrument in ways I've only ever felt in an acoustic instrument. It is a singular pleasure to play.
Specs, please:
Multiscale 34.5"-33"
Dual Nordstrand Power Blade pickups
VV-pickup switch-tone, all passive
Poplar body (oh please, that's "American Tulipwood" you philistine!)
Maple neck with a spruce core and carbon fibre layer
Luminlay side dots, also Luminlay K logo that will glow in the dark as well
Rosewood fretboard, 16" radius
Merca Guitars Tuners and Bridge
6#15oz
More pics please:
You are now welcome to ask any questions, or reply with your adoration of this gorgeous work of art.
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yeah, that was me
