Introducing "The AltoBass"

[HylerTouchstyle]

http://hylertouchstyle.com/images/instruments/AltoBass.jpg

While we're absolutely swamped at the moment in the shop, I wanted to get a quick promo shot of our new instrument brand out to the public as soon as possible. I know many of our customers have been waiting for the full bodied instruments to be released this month, and it looks like we will be able to start taking orders after Thanksgiving if all goes well.

A quick overview of what you are seeing:

-12 String, 34" Scale AltoBass
-Bubinga, Maple, Zebrawood, and Wenge hardwoods
-Magnetic AND Piezo pickup systems (2 independant channels)
-Fully adjustable bridge and nut

More information to come soon in this topic, while the initial instruments may finally be done, there's still a lot more work to be done in terms of post production.

[secondfiddle]

Great looking instument! Its always good to see new builders develop.

Fiddle.

[Bulwinkl]

That's a cool and impressive instrument. Please confirm if this (http://cgi.ebay.com/AltoBass-12-String-Bass-Guitar-chapman-stick-tuning_W0QQitemZ150392733210QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGui tar?hash=item23041afe1a) is your listing.

I suggest bringing the knobs on the other wing of the body, like on Warr guitars.
I didn't think of that while designing my tapper (http://tappistry.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2064) and it's a pain in the ass to use them on the fly, especially if you hang the guitar a bit low (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWYbwcI4SpI).

[HylerTouchstyle]

Absolutely, we sell and cosign a lot of our first runs and prototypes to a local music retailer up in North County who also puts a lot of them on eBay.

The knobs are arranged in a diamond like pattern so they can be easily reached from at least one side without any other knobs getting in the way. However, made to order instruments can be changed at the customers request to include a larger space between the pots.

Thanks for looking at the new instrument, it's been awhile since we've started on this model and we are looking forward to offering it as a fully customizeable model in the webstore within the next few days.

[Bulwinkl]

What I mean is that you may want to concider placing the pots on the "left" side of the body, like on this one (http://kellycoyle.net/files/DSCF1932.JPG), this will give a MUCH easier reach with the right hand. With a 34 scale it is impossible to even touch these (if you like the nut on the same level with your eyes and hang the instrument in a stick-way, almost vertically). See my video, it shows my point: I can't reach the knobs while playing. I could if they were placed like Warr's, but they aren't.

I hope you understand I'm not bashing your product, I'm just trying to help you make this instrument fit even more musicians.

[HylerTouchstyle]

Ah, very good catch. I've never experienced that issue before, but it will definitely be something I'll try in the shop tomorrow with the template model we have of this instrument.

I'll pitch the idea of having a customer selectable option of whether to place the pots on the left or right side of their instrument and see how that goes. The only problem I can think of personally would be the need for another cavity in the back of the instrument (as the Pots and TRS output[s] would now be on seperate sides of the instrument). Not my personal choice, however it would be great to leave the choice up to the customer to select on the product page while selecting other features of their instrument as well.

Thanks for the feedback, we're always looking for new ideas for features so it is much appreciated.

[Bulwinkl]

The only problem I can think of personally would be the need for another cavity in the back of the instrument (as the Pots and TRS output[s] would now be on seperate sides of the instrument).

That's not a problem. Just place the outputs on the left side as well. It's the right place for them (if you prefer an upright playing position).

[HylerTouchstyle]

Pricing information and customizeable configurations now available on http://www.hylertouchstyle.com/order

We've recieved an overwhelming number of inquiries on this instrument (not to mention the increased amount of inquiries over the holidays) and we will be doing our best to meet all orders that come in over this initial launch period. Thanks in advance for your patience and we look forward to hearing your questions and comments.

[lactose]

I am happy you are offering a headless bridge. It appears to require the ball end of the string, correct ?

[HylerTouchstyle]

This is true, you will need ball (or some other ridid part) at one end of the string to use our bridge as it was designed to be used with most all standard strings, not loop or tie ends.

Right now we only have 2 left in stock, one powdercoated in black with natural accents, and one in natural machined aluminum. Since we are not making the ContraBass or the original Altobass anymore (which used our headless hardware), we are also not making these bridges, so once they're gone, they may not be available again until the demand for them rises.

[lactose]

we are also not making these bridges,
Arrrrrrrrgh !!!!! Just when I thought I had a headless solution for less than $350. Well hopefully Kevin is still making them.

So how many strings are the bridges you mentioned ? I might be in the market for a 10 string or 6 string.

[HylerTouchstyle]

We sadly never made any traditional sized bridges (IE 6-7 strings), the only ones we made were 8, 10, and 12. The 10s all sold very quickly followed by the 8s. We still have two 12 string headless bridges in stock though (we had a lot of these made as we used them on our Contrabass instruments), one in each color. Once those are gone we will be out.

I'd like to start making hardware soon again, but ever since the model II was redesigned we've not had time to work on individual parts for builders as the orders for full instruments kept increasing. Ideally someday we will have all parts for DIYers, everything from touchstyle sized fingerboards (wider than traditional guitar fingerboards) to hardware, to necks, to bodies, etc. But until we can catch up on current orders this is only an idea. Stay tuned.