We’ve seen some strange new instruments lately – the Keytar that we first covered at summer NAMM04 and also at the most recent NAMM show comes to mind. And then there’s the Cat Piano which doesn’t actually exist – we couldn’t possibly condone such cruelty to fluffy little kittens…anyway, this one is for real, if not in actual production yet.
While it is possible to buy double neck guitars featuring guitar and bass necks, this is quite different in that you get guitar and bass on one combined neck, allowing musicians to play guitar and bass simultaneously.
The Guitar bass is a unique instrument, designed by John Woolley. John is a multi-instrumentalist who plays both the guitar and bass, and wanted a better means of expressing himself on one instrument. He sketched a rough design, and had an Oregon bass builder make it for him.
Aimed towards multi-instrumentalists, the guitar bass sports six guitar strings and four bass strings on the same neck and body. The instrument has two separate sets of pickups and electronics with separate output jacks. It features staggered bridges, to accommodate the different scale lengths. All of the hardware and electronics used in construction are either standard bass or standard guitar parts.

count the knobs...

So, is it possible we will see a production model in the future? John has told us, “That depends largely on the willingness of the guitar and bass community to accept such an instrument. When I designed it, I did so to have an instrument that I could play. Trying to sell it to others was not a big consideration at the time.�

get tunin'

For pictures of the new guitar bass, as well as a detailed history and specs, visit:

www.microphoneheaven.com/guitarbass/

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