Headless Ergonomic Multi-Scale Guitar

I'm constantly chasing guitar and bass shapes that interact comfortably with the human body. My foremost design goal is always to have the instrument conform to you. Informed musicians realize there is no reason to play an uncomfortable body shape that requires reaching over or around in order to play.

One of the challenges is to design full size instruments that fit small framed individuals. Most guitars or bases are designed for adult males who are nearly 6' (182 cm) in height. But what about young players who have not yet reached maturity? Slightly built men?

What about women?

Small bodied instruments are often awkward because they tend to bounce, pivot, or move while playing. I like shapes that support your arm, conform to your pelvis (hip) and remain anchored to your body as you perform.

I also really like shapes that can be rotated for horizontal or vertical play. And that transition from standing to seated playing positions without reorienting in comparison to your torso. For female musicians this must be accomplished without interfering with breasts.

I'd like you to meet Nineteen.

I'm calling this body shape Nineteen because the neck pickup is located at the 19th fret harmonic. I will explain why in a future article. But the important point for today's discussion is to notice how this body shape fits my beautiful wife Tricia.

The template she is holding is a combined 24.5" vs. 26" multi-scale (fanned fret) string scale length. This is a big guitar, a full half inch longer bass string scale than a Fender Tele or Strat. As you can see, it fits her comfortably, yet Tricia is 5' 2" (152 cm) tall and weighs about 118 lbs (53 kg) — almost two inches smaller than the average human female height.

I am building a matched set of guitars in this body shape. The second guitar is a smaller body and shorter scale length combination: 23.5" vs. 25" multi-scale. Both solid body electric guitars are built from quarter sawn cherry and cedar with curly maple fretboards. In fact, both guitars are built from the same boards — this will give us an excellent comparison between tonal differences due to scale length.

Both guitars will be fully outfitted with first production models of the Toone & Townsend Simplicity headless multi-scale tuning system. Pickups will be Lindy Fralin Vintage Hot Strat & Pure PAF.

Comments

[Eric]

Ergonomic, headless and multi-scale? Sounds fantastic- I'm excited to see how this turns out!

[Markin Ambuh]

The guitar looks amazing. You are so damn creative. Thanks.