Kelstone or Megatar?

[James EVPS]

Hi,

I am a guitarist/bassist and a sometime keyboard player in a folk duo, my singer (the other half of the duo) plays a melodeon. I have been interested in getting a touch-style instrument for some time as they seem to combine all the skill sets of my previous instruments. I do have some concerns and also would like some help on one issue.

My first question is around the issue of hand size, I haven't exactly been blessed with giant hands, and I struggle with classical guitars, would the Megatar be too difficult for me to get my hands round - has anyone else experienced any problems?

Also between the Megatar and the Kelstone would offer the easiest translation from my current skills to the new instrument, they are obviously quite different from each other.

Any help/advice given is much appreciated, I'm quite excited about learning a new instrument!

James

[lord_avon]

Hi,

I've no experience of the kelstone (looks kinda fun), and limited with the Megatar (mine is on order), but I did have a chapman stick for a while and perhaps if I explain why I chose a megatar it may help you.

I have the opposite problem to you, I have huge hands and fingers like sausages. if I try and play guitar I end up holding at least two strings with a single finger, no matter how hard I try to hold only one. But I can do a mean power chord ;-)

I got a chapman stick and immediately had the same problem, the string spacing was too close for me, and with a tapping instrument you have to be very carefull about touching adjacent strings.

If you have small hands then I think you'd struggle with the standard way of playing a megatar or stick, because your hands "cross". i.e your left hand goes over the treble strings before reaching the bass, and likewise with the right hand.
You could order a stick or magatar with "uncrossed" tuning, this way your hands don't have so far to reach to get to the strings. A lot of people swear by this method of stringing a tapping instrument as it allows both hands full range on the respective halves of the fretboard.

The Keltone has the advantage that you don't have to hold it, so I guess the size of your hands will be a lot less of an issue.

Megatar offers a 7 day return policy, I've no idea about Chapman. In either way, these things don't loose value. when I decided to sell my stick it took me less than 3 days and I got what I paid for it, no quibbling.

Whatever you choose, I'd strongly suggest trying one first if you can. Try dropping kelstone, megatar and chapman a line and seeing if they can pass your name onto someone local who has one of their instruments so you can try it.

Best of luck
Paul

[Tom Drinkwater]

That is a tough decision. I was on the Stick/Megatar fence for 2 years before buying my Megatar. A few questions

1 Will you have to move around while playing?

2 Do you have a spot to keep it set up?

I personally would love to have a Kelstone to hang out with my Megatar. Hard decision.

[James EVPS]

Thanks to both of you for your help, to answer your questions Tom I'll certainly have room to setup the kelstone (I have a spare keyboard stand for it already) and moving around isn't a major part of my playing. I have spoken with Traktor and hes been super helpful answering all of my questions (I can see why he has such a good reputation).

I think if I am to go for a Megatar it will be in either uncrossed or inverted 5ths. Bassbottom Crossed tuning seems to move the lowest bass strings too far away from my fingers.

The choice of touch style instruments available now is amazing really! I am very excited about starting to play my music in new ways!

[atimholt]

I'm doing Traktor's layaway plan, and I'm getting the Bassbottom tuning completely reversed, so it's uncrossed. And if I use a pitch-shifter (I'm looking into it), I'll be able to shift either melody or bass (probably melody) to get straight 4th's across all 12 strings;)
I mention my tuning choice because, with it, the very highest and the very lowest strings are both in the easy reach of the edge, but in an uncrossed tuning.:D

[James EVPS]

Well after much conversation with Traktor (if he reads this - sorry for all the questions!) I decided to go with a Megatar.

I've ordered an eclipse model with a custom black body and white pickguard - kinda loving the fact that colour scheme-wise it'll match my Strat!

Well I'm very excited about getting it now, and wanted to let you all know what I'd decided and to thank you for all your suggestions - when I receive it and can play something worth showing I'll probably post something so you can see one very happy bunny with his new instrument!

[jamsire]

Stu Box guitars feel more guitarry.

But what do I know?:confused:

[Tom Drinkwater]

Black with a white pick guard. Sounds dreamy.

[lord_avon]

James,

Congratulations!! I look forward to hearing what you do with it.
I've decided to learn a few tunes I can already play on keys on my megatar (Fur Elise, Golden Brown and Gaudette) to help me get the hang of it before I start working on my own stuff. As and when I'm competent enough, I'll post mp3's or videos.

Paul