• Full Technical Specifications & Architecture

    Giulio Capurso • an hour ago • 0 comments

    DIY One-Man-Band Rig: Technical Specifications & Concept

    1. The Concept & Philosophy

    • The Goal: Born out of live solo performances, this project stems from the need to create a custom physical interface that serves as a bridge between the guitar and the piano.
    • The Harmonic Range: The total span of this 14-string system matches the full 8 octaves (97 keys) of the legendary Bösendorfer Imperial Grand Piano 290. While the architecture relies on the same 4 octaves repeating, they are tonally differentiated and characterized by mounting dedicated string gauges and calibers on each fretboard.
    • The Heart of the Rig: The search for new musical languages should never stop at any obstacle, nor should it settle for what the market offers. Like going to a tailor for a custom-made suit, this rig was custom-built and tailored around the specific biomechanical and artistic needs of the performer.
    • The Creative Freedom: Having the ability to simultaneously control the bassline and the rhythm—the true heartbeat of any song—and weave melodies and solos into them without the help of loopers or pre-recorded backing tracks brings immense joy. This musical "spaceship" allows the performer to go straight to the heart of every track and deeply explore the study of music as a whole. It bridges the gaps when one is rhythmically lacking despite being good harmonically, or vice versa. From a creative standpoint, it allows one to compose a piece starting from a rhythm, rather than a bassline or chords. Ultimately, it allows you to play a song with your entire body, just as if you were making love to the music.

    2. Asymmetric Guitar Architecture & Electronics

    • The Mosaic Build: The instrument is a mosaic crafted from two pre-existing 7-string guitars. The design and shape of the unified poplar solid-body were entirely conceived and drafted by the performer, and then assembled by a luthier.
    • Standard Baritone Tuning: Both necks utilize standard 7-string baritone tuning with an additional low B string (B-E-A-D-G-B-E), which was strictly preferred over the all-fourths tuning often used for heavy tapping, preserving traditional guitar intervals and feeling.
    • Asymmetric Offset: A fundamental construction feature involves the alignment of the two necks: the bottom neck is not positioned flush with the top neck, but is offset and recessed (rientrante). This structural asymmetry was specifically designed to allow the player to reach the middle of the bottom neck much more easily—an area where, as we know, all stringed instruments express their full sonic and harmonic potential.
    • Independent Electronics: The instrument is loaded with three Seymour Duncan 7-string pickups. Despite merging everything into a single body, the wiring and electronics are kept meticulously independent, maintaining two separate, dedicated audio outputs.

    3. Advanced Biomechanics & Hand Coordination
    Managing a full arrangement without the use of loopers requires complete hand independence, alternating between standard coordination and simultaneous tapping.

    • Dual-Neck Hand Interface: The specific physical clearance and spacing between the two necks are optimized to allow both standard coordination and simultaneous tapping configurations:
      • Left Hand: Works exclusively on the fretboard of the top neck, maintaining a natural and traditional position.
      • Right Hand: Moves between both necks depending on the arrangement needs. When working alongside the left hand on the top neck, it plays using a fingerpicking technique. When it moves to the bottom neck, it plays using tapping (resulting in simultaneous two-handed tapping).
    • The Right-Hand Thumb Extension Technique: Pushing this approach to its limits, it is possible to execute an advanced hybrid mechanic: while the right hand executes tapping on the bottom neck, its thumb can extend to strike or pluck the strings of the top neck. This generates a simultaneous fingerpicking and tapping effect from a single hand, accessible only after targeted practice on...
    Read more »