Guitar ... Ragas / classical Indian music ... does it fit together? Yes, after long and detailed discussions with Satish, a guitar was created which is also perfectly suited for Ragas! Fretless, with a brass fretboard, a slightly longer scale, a 7th string and cutaway. All this combined with a good pickup system makes this guitar ready for all (Indian) cases.
With 10 strings there are several ways to increase the range. Usually, a 10-String guitar is equipped with four extra bass strings to be tuned down in semitones. However, I also had a client who wanted to have them tuned in thirds (7th string C, 8th string A, 9th string F, 10th string D). World-famous guitarist Narciso Yepes also opted for a low C on the 7th string. But he tuned the 8th string slightly higher to an A♯, the 9th string to a G♯ and the 10th string on a F♯.
Quint bass guitars (baritone guitars) were frequently found and have been quite popular around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Why these guitars disappeared completely in the turmoil of the two world wars is a mystery to me. Slowly but surely they find their place in the guitar family once again. I appreciate the special sound character of these guitars. The sound is warm, supporting and can be modulated at any volume. This type of guitar is wonderful to play as a solo instrument and is an absolute enrichment for any ensemble. For this guitar Michael decided to choose only native woods and add a 7th string to complete the guitar with a low e-string. In order to be able to play in the big band or to play together with accordion and other louder instruments, we have installed a pickup.
Matthias Claudius Aigner is an excellent sculptor and painter from the city of Linz. As I always like trying out new paths, I asked him if he would embellish one of my guitars with Aigner-“ART”. So I built something special and let Matthias surprise me. For inspiration he had asked for various pieces of guitar music to get him into the right mood. The result speaks for itself. With a deep B1 as a 7th string, it is possible to combine a traditional with a baritone guitar.
One way of translating lute baroque pieces to guitar more easily and authentically is to add a high a’ string.
The foundation stone for this guitar was laid in 2012. Joachim Csaikl came to me with the question, if I would build a harp guitar, a modern contra guitar, or similar. With Willi, who has been taught by Joachim since 2015, this project took concrete shape. First Willi was infected by the "contra guitar virus" and finally he decided to let me build a modern contra guitar. Since 2005 Joachim deals intensively with the playing of contra guitars. With their use in different styles of music and the associated technical challenges. His extensive know-how is an important component that has been incorporated into the construction of this guitar. To find out more about Joachim Csaikl visit his website www.joachim-csaikl.com.
The 14-string Barocco is the ideal guitar for playing baroque lute literature. Its clear, sharp tone and rich overtones combine all requirements to play baroque music on a modern instrument. This guitar is a truly unique piece. Upon customer request, inlays of mother of pearl and gold were incorporated into the fretboard. With their ornamental and geometric shapes, they remind us of the sumptuous baroque style.
The 14-string Barocco Silent is the ideal instrument for travelling, and for playing baroque lute literature. Her easily removable frame components allow the instrument to be easily stored and carried. This guitar is a truly unique piece. Upon customer request, inlays of mother of pearl and gold were incorporated into the fretboard. With their ornamental and geometric shapes, they remind us of the sumptuous baroque style.