The Future Of Guitar Design? Options

[Todd Simpson]

Take a look at this. Some folks, (Lot's of guys at NAMM and MUSIKMEESE and other hoity, toity, type gatherings of gear and such) say this may well be the FUTURE of guitar design.

It's got a few things that make it stand out.


1.)Body Shape/Construction

This is a "Strandberg" Guitar (Designed by Ola Strandberg) with ergonomics in mind so that it's comfy to play sitting or standing and can have a semi hollow body for various sound options.

*Here is a link to the Strandberg site. Some of the best players alive are currently using these guitars.
http://strandbergguitars.com/author/ola_strandberg/

2.)True Temperament Modified Neck

Much like the guy from FREAK KITCHEN, the frets are squiggly!!! This is essentially so that the intonation is perfect all the way up the neck. You can do this to any guitar for about A THOUSAND BUCKS!!!! ouch.

*Here is a link to the TruTemp site. Again, some amazing players on board including Steve Vai.
http://www.truetemperament.com/site/index.php?go=6&sgo=0

3.)Extended Range

As Extended Range instruments become more and more common, 7 and even 8 string axes are becoming "First Guitars" for many new players that started playing because they like, SCALE THE SUMMIT or PERIPHERY and begin their study with a 7 or more stringed guitar.

*Same story on key players using extended range instruments, Steve Vai, Tosin Abassi, Misha Mansoor, etc.

So here it is. Evidently raised quite a stir on the convention circuit.

SO..... BIG QUESTION

Have you guys tried these STRANDBERG instruments? What do you think? The future?


Todd

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[klasaine]

Guitarists are a traditional lot overall. Witness the continued popularity of the Les Paul and the Telecaster (not to mention tube amps, lol!).

Those squiggly fret axes have actually been around for at least 10 years.
Cool idea and not as uncomfortable to play as they look but besides the price, what does it cost and who does a fret job when you need it.
You can't really drop tune on those babies either (1/2 step is OK but no farther - but they make a baritone). The guitar has always been a beast of a compromise (in regard to tuning and technique). Maybe that's why it's still just so bitchin' to so many - ?

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[Cosmin Lupu]

Interesting stuff There are also those acoustic virtuosos that use the true temperament or fanned frets maybe? Anyway, I had no idea that Vai uses this fretting system. Thanks for sharing this Todd!

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[Gabriel Leopardi]

Good info! I haven't tried one of those guitars but they look very futurist. I'm curious to know if the next generations of guitar players start using more this type of guitars.

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[klasaine]

I've yet to see any of those guys actually use one on a gig - ?
The NAMM show doesn't count.

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[Todd Simpson]

BINGO again!!!! KLASAINE makes a GREAT point here. Yes, many top players are on the ARTIST LIST for True Temperament, and Strandberg and such. But I have not seen many of these axes/bits in use during live shows. I've seen a few things here and there but even the artists endorsing this stuff tend to use a standard axe quite a bit.


The exception of course being Matias from Freak Kitchen as his Signature guitar has a True Temp fret job as stock.


Todd


and

I've yet to see any of those guys actually use one on a gig - ?
The NAMM show doesn't count.

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[thefireball]

I know a guy who is wanting to get one for his prog metal band. I haven't played one, but I am not too fond of the look. Nevertheless, I might be surprised if I played one. They might be the future.

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[Todd Simpson]

I'm not sure about the look myself Someone mentioned in another thread that "Guitarists are a conservative bunch" in terms of what kinds of body shapes most players use. There is some obvious truth to that in that the bulk of players make use of traditional shapes, super strat (based of course on the strat), les paul, etc. Recently though I"ve started making it a point to add non traditional shapes/etc. in to my guitar collection with mixed results.

I had a JACKSON KELLY for example, and just did not like how unbalanced it was. The weight is very off center.

I bought a IBANEZ XIPHOS as well, and again did not like how unbalanced it was. Sorta like the KELLY, center of gravity was way off causing random tilt when standing and not staying "neck up" when sitting.

BUT GOOD NEWS!!! I bought a DEAN RAZORBACK and BINGO!!!! It's PERFECTLY BALANCED!!! But the shape is not most folks cup of tea. It's bit drastic to be sure and quite pointy. Some folks just don't like pointy guitars. I too was not in love at first. But it sits perfectly and stays perfect when standing. The neck angle is IDEAL and the guitar is balanced and such a big chunk of wood that is resonates. One problem.

DEAN NECKS MAKE ME WANT TO SCREAM. Again, some folks LOVE THEM, I'm just not one of those folks. I HATED the neck. So.... I HAD THE NECK RESHAPED!!!!

I had a Luthier shape the neck more like my IBANEZ!!! So it will be a DEAN with an IBANEZ style neck Can't wait to try it !!!

I know a guy who is wanting to get one for his prog metal band. I haven't played one, but I am not too fond of the look. Nevertheless, I might be surprised if I played one. They might be the future.

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[klasaine]

Yeah, ergonomics is a big factor. Even a Les Paul feels a little weird when played sitting down and some SGs are headstock heavy. Lets face it - a Strat's a pretty great design looks and feel wise. It just works.
Violins and keyboards, even though they've 'gone electric', have remained essentially unchanged for 200 years. They are what they are.

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[Todd Simpson]

Well said You nailed it on every point. I hope folks looking to buy new guitars get a chance to read through this thread. The shape of a guitar and it's ergonomics are critical factors IMHO. I've had students who bought a guitar because "Rock Star Guy/Shredder God/Etc." of the moment plays them and so as a result, right after Bday/Xmas, it shows up and sometimes it's great and sometimes the student hates it. Ergonomics are something that seems secondary early on somehow. I remember wanting to get a Double Neck BC Rich Bich when I was looking for my first guitar because I'd seen one in a music vid.

Imagine my shock when I got a quote on one from a local store. Not to mention the fact that they are not really a good choice as a first axe and don't work well when seated during learning/study.

Again the importance of putting ones hands on a guitar before buying and not for just 5 minutes. It's important to spend at least an hour or so in the store sitting, standing, with / without strap, etc. Trying to see if a guitar is going to work. If a guitar is simply uncomfy, it won't get played as much.

Back to the RAZORBACK the body shape is very ergo but the points are a bit long. For practice guitar, if I could chop off 6 inches from each pointed bit, and shave the neck down (like I did on my personal razorback) so that it's more like an Ibanez, it would make a great practice axe. But it would look a bit odd

Todd

Yeah, ergonomics is a big factor. Even a Les Paul feels a little weird when played sitting down and some SGs are headstock heavy. Lets face it - a Strat's a pretty great design looks and feel wise. It just works.
Violins and keyboards, even though they've 'gone electric', have remained essentially unchanged for 200 years. They are what they are.

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[klasaine]

Several years ago I was asked to do some improv accompaniment for a modern dance recital. They specifically requested an all black guitar. At the time the only black guitar I had was Tele with a 'maple' neck - no go. ALL BLACK ONLY end of story. A buddy of mine had an all black JEM. Cool, it'll work. It's a quick gig and it's more about the look than the music.
Man, I fell in love with that axe. It really felt natural. The balance was perfect sitting or standing. The pkups were powerful w/o being too mushy. It stayed in tune, etc. Great guitar. If I ever was gonna buy a dedicated 'shred' guitar I have no doubt whatsoever about the one I'd pick - no doubt at all.

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[Cosmin Lupu]

Looks like an Ibanez neck with that little thing there behind the headstock - don't know how it's really called, but if the luthier pulled this thing out of the wood, it means that neck was awfully thick, right?

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[klasaine]

Looks like an Ibanez neck with that little thing there behind the headstock - don't know how it's really called, but if the luthier pulled this thing out of the wood, it means that neck was awfully thick, right?

Volute (i think?)

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[Cosmin Lupu]

Volute (i think?)

Yes, that is the correct term Thanks mate!

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