Rick Toone | Luthier

Skilled Luthiers Needed

I'm seeking three or four talented luthiers to beta test the Simplicity tuning system. This will be an opportunity for you to experiment with integrated multi-scale headless hardware and build it into your own original guitar design. Your work will gain global exposure via publication on multiple websites.

EDITOR'S NOTE: All positions have been filled, and beta testing is in progress. Thank you for the (overwhelming) response of highly qualified candidates.

Simplicity tuning system is machined from 7075 aircraft grade aluminum, stainless steel and bronze. Premium components that will outlast a lifetime, milled with precision analogous to fine watchmaking. Townsend Machine is ISO 9000 certified. The elegant matte finished set includes:

• Multi-scale (fanned fret) capable nut with string height and intonation adjustment
• Multi-scale (fanned fret) capable bridge with string height and intonation adjustment
• Body mounted 40:1 (ratio) constant tension tuning

Selected luthiers will be given one complete 6-string guitar system in the color scheme of your choosing, available from a broad spectrum of anodized colors. There will be no hardware cost for you. You may keep or sell your completed instrument at your discretion. Because the hardware is designed to simplify both instrument construction and hardware installation, I will be available to assist you in optimizing integration.

In return for the system and publicity, you will commit to the following:

A. You agree to design and build a completed instrument within 2-4 months upon receipt of hardware. Please discuss prior to committing, if you need additional time. We anticipate delivering your hardware to you in early/mid December, 2009.

B. You agree to provide studio quality photographs of the completed instrument for use by us for promotional purposes. Your photos will be accompanied by written analysis in which you share your experiences working with the system. Video is optional, but always appreciated, as are in-progress photos. All materials should be for publication, without restriction, and are due within the same 2-4 month time period. You remain free to use your materials for your own promotion.

C. You agree to pay all expenses associated with the above. We are only providing one no-cost-to-you hardware system.

D. Multiple patents are pending on the system, so you agree to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

That's it. Pretty straightforward, really.

If you are interested in participating leave a comment below, or email me. Please be sure to include a link to your website or photographs of your work. I look forward to meeting and working with you.

IMAGES: In the drawings below an abstracted version of the hardware system is shown superimposed over some familiar friends. Mostly. The guitar in the center is my own design, currently under construction (26" bass & 24.5" treble) to demonstrate the capabilities of the hardware. Drawings to scale.

Jemsite

GuitarBizarre — thank you for your kind post on Jemsite.

I'm honored you fully appreciate what we're trying to accomplish: pushing the design boundaries of stringed instrument design, as well as exchanging information with other builders via eLUTHERIE.org.

I've had to be fairly conservative about sharing some ideas in public, due to patent proceedings, but that is about to change. You are absolutely correct though, each of these ideas or experiments is based on physics and mechanical engineering first...the art follows.

“Just like in Formula 1, the experiments and innovations made as one-offs on the high end lead to evolution in the mainstream and serves an important purpose.” (Ola Strandberg)

What's up, Jack?

Let's continue with our discussion about guitar and bass control shielding.

Alex had suggested leaving copper exposed could be an interesting design feature. His comment sparked a whole new thought process and I found myself agreeing with him — it seemed a shame to invest many hours into beautiful craftsmanship that would be hidden. So I've actually modified Simplicity's design to feature the shielding.

The copper shields will be firmly clamped in position by stainless steel plates and screws. Next I will contour the swamp ash guitar body, leaving portions of the shielding exposed. The test piece had a fascinating look as the copper seems reminiscent of an ancient structure emerging from an eroded landscape. The ergonomic advantage is I'm free to sculpt the body as desired, without constraints of access plates.

It will no doubt be interesting to observe public reaction.

Looking at the photographs, one might wonder why there are TWO holes in the upper bout. Ah, I thought you'd ask! Obviously, the lower bout holes are tone and volume. The larger of the upper bout holes is for the Switchcraft 3-way straight toggle. The smaller of the upper bout holes is...

EDITOR'S NOTE: A perfect example of problem vs. solution innovation.

...instead of telling you, we'll pose two questions:

1. What necessary accessory of every electric instrument is a constant annoyance, always in the way, especially so when sitting or in conjunction with body-mounted tuning systems?

2. What frequently used accessory of both acoustic and electric instruments is so comfortable and familiar to us that we never even think about it?

LEARN MORE: Simplicity