The Mustapick 8-String Fan-Fret Guitar-Bass

From time to time I'm approached to build an instrument to meet a player's particular desires. For players who like to use drop tunings (or higher tunings), I'm always excited to design and build instruments that are conceived from the start to optimally perform for the player's alternate tuning range. This can involve custom bracing, scale lengths, extra strings, or even fanning the frets. Jim Saxa recently approached me to discuss designing an instrument that combined the entire frequency range of both guitar and bass, comprising eight strings, with the scale lengths graduating from 25" to 29" and string gauges from .013 to .100.

Here are some recordings of Jim and Lydia using this instrument on "Going to California" and their original "Reputation". For more of their great music visit The Analogues.

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