New Megatar

[vsteele]

I received my new Megatar Eclipse on Friday. This is an impressive instrument. It is worth more than the $1000 price. The Eclipse model has a beautiful lively piano tone that works well with the type of music that I play.

I have played different tap instruments in the past and feel that the Megatar is the best for the buck. The Feiten tuning system really does make a difference. The notes were in tune all the way up and down the fretboard.

I got mine with bass 4ths/bass 5ths tuning instead of the typical bass 5ths/melody 4ths tuning of other tapping instruments. This tuning is really fun to play. It is like two basses in one. Since my role is as a bass player and not a soloist, this made sense to me. If you guys get a chance, you should play one of these instruments.

Just my two cents worth
V

[rockola]

It is worth more than the $1000 price.

Be careful, they might believe you, and the price could go up - remember, Shri Banjo (http://www.megatar.com/english/Who_/who_.html) is watching you!

Seriously, glad you like your new instrument. However, your tuning is a new one on me. Are you playing it crossed or uncrossed? Which side is the 5ths side? Where are the fattest strings on each side?

[vsteele]

I have it tuned crossed with the largest string of the 4ths side closest to your head and the largest string of the 5ths side in the middle. It is similar to the standard Megatar tuning except the melody strings are replaced with bass strings tuned in 5ths. Make sense?

I may make a few modifications. The B string on the 4ths side is quite a reach. I may have traktor set it back up in uncrossed configuration to make it easier to reach the 4ths strings since I play on the 4ths side most of the time. I like the ease of 4ths but the simple chording of 5ths. I also like tapping arppegios in 5ths (this is why the guitar is set up this way). I will give it some time and try it out.

Any ideas?

V

[Christo]

Hello to you, and others on Forum,
Q. Did you consider the MIDI Megatar? Did you play one prior to purchase? Thanks,
Christo

[vsteele]

I did not have the opportunity to play the Megatars before I purchased mine. I did consider all of the models but at the time I only had enough money to buy the basic Eclipse. I do not regret it.

I play in a band that has a guitarist and we play simple keyboard lines and sequences with keyboard pedals. I might try midi on the Megatar in the future but right now I am trying to explore the instrument as it is. If you play or buy a midi megetar let us know what you think.

V

[Christo]

Hello,
I play the Chapman Stick which is not a midi instrument. Similar to a Megatar it has a two handed tapping method of play. While its sounds are a distinct tonal unto itself, I would like to venture into the world of Midi through the two handed tapping technique. I could spend about as much on a keyboard for Midi production but, I think the THTT offers a more free style. I am into building soundtracks for independent multimedia production. Midi offers a full expression of sound colors on demand. I would prefer to redesign a sculpted body for the Megatar, do you feel the stock balance is good? I don't care for the look of the Megatar body. Maybe it was designed for expence not looks. Is it about half the price of a comperable Warr guitar? thanks for the posts .......Christo

[rockola]

Midi offers a full expression of sound colors on demand.

Interestingly enough, back in 1995 I decided to get a string instrument precisely because I felt that synthesizers didn't offer enough expressiveness. Well, they do, sort of, but you're so far removed from where the sound is created that I wanted to try something where my fingers were directly responsible for the sound. So, I sold my stack of MIDI synths and got a tap guitar.

Since then, I've bought back most of the MIDI gear I sold, plus a few extras, but I still don't have MIDI on my tap guitar. If I want to play synths, I go to a keyboard. If I want to tap, I pick up my ADG.

As an aside, MIDI in itself isn't about sound colors at all. It's a way of transmitting note numbers, velocities and other control information. That information may be translated into sound on the receiving end, but it's more a function of the receiving piece of equipment than of the data protocol itself.

BTW, you can have your Stick retrofitted with a MIDI pickup if you like.

[vsteele]

I am sort of a purist in that I think that electronic and wood instruments should be kept seperate. I play the keyboards when I want keyboards and my megatar when I want the megatar. I should note that I primarily use the keyboards and midi as filler. My main concentration is on the megatar and bass so I am bias. Whatever works for you is what is important.

As far as the body of the megatar, it is very well balanced with the body that is on it and it sounds great. If you like the look of a sculpted body, a Warr Guitar or a custom instrument may be more to your liking. Box Guitars also have a body. All of these options are more pricy than the Megatar.

V