acoustic tapping instruments

[Jason McKay]

Hey! Does ANYONE have any knowledge of any acoustic instruments made strictly for tapping? I've got some ideas and observations myself if anyone would be interested in sharing and persuing this seemingly elusive beast!?!?!?

[Tiptannick]

Hey ! Do you know Bob Culbertson (http://www.stickmusic.com) ? He play on an accoustic Stick (a kind of AcouStick !!). You can see it on the Tony Levin NAMM Show Page (http://www.tonylevin.com/namm01_2.htm) or Kevin Keith NAMM Show Page (http://www.kevinkeith.com/sticknightphotos.html)

I found a Movie about a Two-Hand Tapping Player on an electro-acoustic guitar; He's called Billy McLaughlin (http://www.billymclaughlin.com/) (not John !).

Et voilà !

[Jason McKay]

Yes, I've seen a picture of Bob C. playing the "accoustick" that was made for him. From what I gather, however, the natural volume is pretty quiet. At the moment, I tap on a nylon string classical guitar set up for this purpose. I get a substantial amount of tone but I have to work it. Only thing is, of course, the limited amount of strings and thus, range. I know Warr guitars has an instrument with wound nylon strings and piezo(?) pickups, but it is still mainly an electric instrument. I searching for (or trying to create) the tapping instrument one could play whilst rid'n old paint on the cattle drive ( if ya get my meaning :-) ). The instrument Bob plays looks like a guitar with a "Stick" neck. So, to me , it is a guitar. It makes sense because there would need to be a chamber for the sound to resonate through, although I don't think his is quite big enough. I think Stanley Jordan had an acoustic built for him, but the body is huge, not to mention it is an 8-string. Thanks!

[rockola]

Jason, look into the physics of acoustic instruments. An acoustic tapping instrument is a difficult proposition simply because the vibrating energy of a tapped string is so much less than that of a plucked string. Not to say it can't be done, but it will not be easy to make a loud one.

[Jersey Ray]

there already is an acoustic tapper in regular production - the Warr Artisan. I palyed it at the NAMM show last year and it has a sweet tone amplified. However, totally unamplified you would not be able to perform for other people on it, though you would hear yourself play. it's a sweet axe though, there are a bunch of players in California with it and one of the local players here back East is already gigging out on it.

[rockola]

Ray, I was referring to completely acoustic instruments, with nothing between the instrument and the listener's ears but air. Amplified, you can of course do all sorts of things. I'd classify the Warr Artisan as a semi-acoustic.

[Ihab-Amer]

I’m new to the touch style world that I've recently discovered; which is strange after an experience of 25 years playing the guitar in different styles of music and I’m enjoying the journey of gathering information and knowledge prior to the order of my first tap instrument. So you guys would see me a lot on the forums.

The guitar or shall I call it touch instrument that Bob Culbertson uses currently which is named acoustick, who manufacture this instument? I have never managed to know the answer. Seems like a Stick neck with an acoustic body; is there a piezo pickup somewhere?
:confused:

[Uberbass]

I'm sure that Traktor, or Ray may have more info on this, but I think that the Acoustick that Bob uses is a custom instrument that he had built. The instrument is a result of a collaborative effort between Stick Enterprises (Stick.com), and Craig Anderson, a Vermont luthier.

I suspect that to have an Acoustick of your own made, you might be looking at an extremely expensive instrument. Not that suggest that it's cheap by any means, Warr guitars (Warrguitars.com) makes a semi-hollow body instrument, that might interest you.

Happy hunting.
b

[rjgoos]

Originally posted by Jersey Ray
there already is an acoustic tapper in regular production - the Warr Artisan. I palyed it at the NAMM show last year and it has a sweet tone amplified. However, totally unamplified you would not be able to perform for other people on it, though you would hear yourself play. it's a sweet axe though, there are a bunch of players in California with it and one of the local players here back East is already gigging out on it.



MP3s of Ron Fairchild playing an Artisan can be heard at:
www.warrguitars.com/lroom.html

MP3 of Jeff Moen playing his Artisan are at
www.touchguitarist.com


I guess it depends on what one means by "acoustic". If a Martin or Taylor acoustic guitar is amplified with a piezo-style pickup under the bridge, is it still "acoustic"?

I would think that one would need to pound pretty hard on the fretboard to get much volume from a purely accoustic tap instrument.


Jay

[Fredrik]

Here's an acoustic instrument that actually looks like an acousrtic guitar..
http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/4_Sale.html
Haven't heard it, but it certainly looks cool. It's a short scale i think, so that would make it a baryton + "normal" guitar combo?

Fredrik

[rjgoos]

I really appreciate Siggi's designs. Each one is unique, and eye-catching.

I've never heard one of Siggi's instruments, but I'm sure they sound good, too. I can't imagine good craftsmanship, and high-quality pickups/electronics, putting out a bad sound.


Jay

[Bearguitars]

Originally posted by Fredrik
Here's an acoustic instrument that actually looks like an acousrtic guitar..
http://www.geocities.com/bearguitars/4_Sale.html
Haven't heard it, but it certainly looks cool. It's a short scale i think, so that would make it a baryton + "normal" guitar combo?

Fredrik

Hi Fredrik,

my "honey comb" have 30" - the same scale leght as fender used on some of her acc. basses. No very loud, but enough for rehearsal without an amp.
sorry at the time there are no sound bites available, hopefully in the next weeks...
But here`s a pic `boud inside stuff: extreme scalloped braces with
a symetric pattern of it. With it could the owner change the string groups from crossed to uncrossed, parallel 4th to crafty; and, and...http://