Solene

[John O'Connor]

Any other Solene players out there. If not, why not?

[wmlusk]

John,
The Tappers Guild would love to publish some articles and or information about the Solene. Is that something you would be able to help us with? This is indeed an amazingly unique instrument, and I am sure there are many that would love to learn about it.

[John O'Connor]

Mr Lusk,

I would love to help. Let me know what you want to know. Just realize that I've only been playing the Solene for about two months, and I've still got a lot to learn. Right now, I'm playing early keyboard music to firm up my technique, and I'm using my old cocktail jazz arrangments from my cocktail piano days to play the old jazz standards. I haven't really started exploring the unique Solene properties as yet, and there are a lot of possibilities that I've already discovered. As I said, ask, and I will do my best to answer.

[wmlusk]

Maybe the best thing to start with would be a 'tour' of the instrument and a little bit about why you chose the Solene as your instrument.

Regards,
Billy

[John O'Connor]

Please forgive me. I am not the most computer literate person around, and this is the only way I can add to this thread.

The Solene is basically an aluminum pipe with strings. It has 7 strings, tuned BEADGBE, just like a regular 7 string guitar, and each string has its own adjustable pickup. It's somewhat difficult to get used to the rounded fretboard, and the slanted frets, but once you do get used to it, it is better for hand positioning. The really nice thing is that you don't have to get used to a new tuning. All of the chords and scales played on a standard guitar are readily available to you, and you can simply find new techniques to utilize the same material.

The instrument was invented by Rich Eberlen, and he has his own website. I don't know how to paste his address here, but you can find the website by typing Solene into your search engine. I learned about the Solene on Traktor Topaz's Megatar website, and it looked interesting.

One of the main reasons I chose the Solene at this time was price. All of the other specific tapping instruments were $1000 plus, and the Solene is only $800. It's also tuned like a standard guitar, and I didn't want to have to learn a new tuning.

So far, I have barely scratched the surface of the potential of the Solene. I am working on some early keyboard music, arranging some standards (Over the Rainbow, Round Midnight, etc) for use in a cocktail jazz setting and I've tried to blues as well. All have worked out well. I've had my instrument only since July, so I haven't had a lot of time as yet.

I guess I should mention that I'm military, and will retire after 34 years next March. I hope to be able to supplement my retirement income by playing in local restaurants and supper clubs.

Does this help?

[wmlusk]

I've seen the pictures that are on the Solene site, but it was hard to pick out the details. I was wondering if you would have the means to take some pictures of it that we could post.

What was your experience in ordering the instrument? Were there many options to choose from?

Take care,
Billy

[John O'Connor]

Ordering was very simple. I called the number for Texas Music, talked with a fellow named Leonard, and placed the order. I mailed out the check the same day, and as soon as they received it, they sent the Solene UPS ground. I had the instrument within two weeks of sending the check.

As for options, they are limited. Since the Solene is basically an aluminum pipe, there are no other shapes or styles available. It does come in a variety of colors, though. I bought a black one, but it does come in blue, green, yellow and nearly every other color.

As for pictures, I don't have a digital camera, and I don't have a scanner. Sorry. I'm not all that computer literate, and frankly, I'm lucky I can use the computer and printer. I'll see if I can get someone to take some pics of it, though, and try to send you some.

I am slowly getting used to the rounded fretboard and the slanted frets, though, and I am making some decent sounding music on it. This instrument is a lot of fun to play, and the possibilities are nearly endless.

[wmlusk]

I found this 'Featured Luthier' article about the Solene -

http://www.guitarsessions.com/sep02/guitar_maker.html

-bl

[John O'Connor]

This is a new addition to Rich's website. I missed this. Thanks. The pics are good, and it's interesting to see how the Solene developed. Thanks.

[murphy]

Hi John,

Chiming in on your call for Solene players. I've had a Solene for I guess about a year. I'm not sure I'm much of a resource to talk with as I'm not terribly disciplined about my playing, I sort of fool with it on and off, but I thought I'd say hello anyway. I had been doing tapping on guitar for years, again not exactly with a grand plan. I'm just one of those guys that didn't stop with the Van Halen diddly-doodlys but rather kept exploring. Anyway, I came to the Solene because I met Rich Eberlen and saw him play it (he's a terrific player) and it made so much sense to me that I had to try it. After he let me try one, I got hooked and had to purchased one.

I haven't been playing it much lately...it has to compete with my guitars and it's outnumbered. But I do play it regularly. I do alot of improvising on it and I worked up a couple of simple things. I also brought it to a regular jam with some other guys and was surprised at how well it cut through and how confortable it was to improvise in a group. I really think the instrument works great and its fun to play.

Anyway, good luck with your playing. It sounds like you're putting in some real work and I'm sure it will pay off.

cheers,
murph

[John O'Connor]

Thanks for the encouragement, Murph. I am working on the Solene and hope to be able to use it once I retire to enhance my retirement income. I'm not doing terribly exciting stuff, as I hope to play "cocktail jazz" in local restaurants and supper clubs as dinner music, but I do want to play quality stuff, and not the usual recorded "elevator music". I was a pianist first, and only turned to guitar later on in life. I am finding that with the Solene, I can play some of the voicings I used to use on piano and I can play more complex and interesting arrangements than I could with my rather limited technique on guitar. If you would like to hear the kind of stuff I did on guitar, you can go to cdbaby.com/jtoc2 to hear a CD I made with my Yiari. I'm doing similar stuff with the Solene.

Take care, and thanks for writing.

[Ixilblix]

Hmm...wonder if you can get one made for a lefty.....

[okie623]

I've been playing a beautiful black Solene for about a year now. I tune it in straight 4ths and use a Barbetta keyboard amp for amplification with a Johnson J-station in the effects loop. I play pretty much the same thing on my Solene that I played fingerstyle on 6 and 7 string guitars which was a bit of everything. I find it perfect for what I refer to as 'New Age World Restaurant Jazz'. The Solene is also excellent for backing my vocals in those coffee house solo performances(?). I have been known to play the blues with my Solene through a Tech21 TM10.

After attending a 'S***k' seminar and trying a variety of those I purchased an ADG 10 that was just a beautiful instrument. But after a few months with the ADG I decided that what I really wanted was a more flexible and extended range guitar. The Solene was perfect for me and its a bargain! Not to mention that Rich and his distributor were great folks to deal with. I had the opportunity to try a Warr and a Steinberger 'S***k' also and I found both of those to be too large and heavy for me. The construction quality of the Solene is excellent. I had Rich put Sperzel locking tuners on mine because I'm lazy.

I can recommend the Solene whole-heartedly if you are looking for a more contrapunal guitar-like instrument. I love mine and I really love the looks I get when playing it. I'm not Stanley Jordan, but my Solene makes me feel like it!! :D

[rjgoos]

okie623 wrote:

------
I've been playing a beautiful black Solene for about a year now. I tune it in straight 4ths and use a Barbetta keyboard amp for amplification with a Johnson J-station in the effects loop. I play pretty much the same thing on my Solene that I played fingerstyle on 6 and 7 string guitars which was a bit of everything. I find it perfect for what I refer to as 'New Age World Restaurant Jazz'. The Solene is also excellent for backing my vocals in those coffee house solo performances(?). I have been known to play the blues with my Solene through a Tech21 TM10.

After attending a 'S***k' seminar and trying a variety of those I purchased an ADG 10 that was just a beautiful instrument.
_____


As for me, the Solene is an instrument that evokes instant curiousity. What guitar player wouldn't be curious to hold a guitar made out of a piece of aluminum pipe???

Two questions...the few MP3s of the Solene I found on the Internet sounded...to be honest, "tinny" to me. Do they sound better in real life?

Also, Okie, what did you think of the ADG-10?

Thanks,

RJ Goos

[okie623]

Hi RJ,

My Solene is not 'tinny' sounding at all. It is bright sounding though, but I prefer that to something that may sound more muddy and mid-range-y. I can eq the brightness to a preferred level and I actually prefer the bright overtones it can produce.

I loved my ADG. It was all mahogany with a single, passive magnetic pick-up. The tone was great and IMHO better than any other tapping instrument I've heard. I purchased the Barbetta/J-Station set-up I have now for use with the ADG and they were a beautiful combination. The construction quality was just immaculate as were the materials. The only problem I had was finding a comfortable way to wear the ADG while standing. Sitting with it was no problem, but I always stand when I play out so that was an issue for me. The biggest reason I allowed it move on to a good home was that I just found that I wanted a tapping guitar-type instrument. I looked high and low for a 7 string S***k bass that I planned to set-up to use like a 7-string guitar. I came across the Solene and that ended my search for anything else. The Solene can be worn in several ways because of the adjustable strap attachment point. The curved fingerboard took about a week of adaptation and then it was fine. My Solene sits on its stand on my hearth when I'm not playing. I've had many, may comments on the beauty of the instrument as a piece of modern sculpture. :)

If you have other specific questions don't hesitate to ask.

Okie

[rjgoos]

Well, I instantly thought the Solene was cool to look at, and I hope to see one and play one some day. I am also very glad to hear that it is a great instrument as well.

It is simply amazing to look at the range of tapping instruments...it really is. The evolution of this genre of instrument is in full stride. It has always been fascinating to see how people look at basically the same set of issues...how to make a decent tap-style guitar, and come up with as wildly different answers as the Bunker, Solene, Megatar, Stick, and Warr. It is all fascinating to me.

RJ Goos

[rockola]

The only problem I had was finding a comfortable way to wear the ADG while standing.

Have you tried the Slider Strap (http://www.slider-straps.com/) ? I think the ADG hangs just perfectly with one when standing up. You can get one from Warr (http://www.warrguitars.com/) .

[okie623]

Hi Ola,

Yes, I did try a Slider Strap. Actually, I ordered one from Mark Warr when I ordered my ADG. I actually tried two different design Slider Straps and two different sizes. I actually had better luck with the strap that Megatar sells. Unfortunately, none of the straps I tried worked out well for me. I was never able to find a comfortable position standing. I honestly think it was related to singing. I am also a vocalist and the only tap-style instrument other than the Solene that was comfortable when I sang was the Steinberger S***k, but that monster was heavy!

Take care,

Okie

[okie623]

Hey RJ,

Too bad we didn't stumble upon each other sooner. I lived in Rochester, MN when I first received my Solene and before I sold my ADG. You could have tried them both!

Yeah, the Solene IS a quality instrument. It is not well received by many of the guitarists that I run into. You know how rigid we can be! :D

Take care,

Okie

[jdwinger]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by murphy
I'm just one of those guys that didn't stop with the Van Halen diddly-doodlys

Murphy, I can't authoritatively speak on the topic -- but the term " Van Halen diddly-doodlys" really made my day