A New Take on a G String

From a players perspective...

It seems that every time I return from one of the music trade shows, whether it’s the NAMM show in Anaheim or Nashville, Canada’s MIAC show, or the MusikMesse in Frankfurt Germany, I come away with at least a couple of standout and unique experiences.  Sometimes it’s a player and sometimes it’s a product.

     During my recent visit to Frankfurt, my 4^th MusikMesse show, yet another entrepreneur lured me into the booth, this time from Holland.  “AddString” seemed intriguing enough to investigate and with my friend, Michael Fix from Australia, we both simultaneously marveled at the fact that someone actually came up with something “new”.

     Initially wary that simply adding one string to a 6-string guitar would make much of a difference, I was actually astounded how much of a difference it actually did make.  Basically, the premise is that the player can elect precisely where to put the string, select the desired gauge of string, and in the midst of a tune very quickly add or delete the additional string to the mix by either placing the string quickly under an attached “hook” or releasing it into action.

     What I particularly liked about the option was the fact that I could place an octave string either above or below, for example, the 3^rd or 4^th string for different effects.  As a player of the 12-string guitar for 35 years I never thought the addition of a single string could practically create the illusion of a 12 string or almost a peculiar yet unique sitar-like effect from the 6-string guitar.

     Applying the additional tuner on the headstock, a half-moon shaped hook device inside the sound hole and the end piece under the bridge pins was simpler than I had anticipated. Although this new item might not be everyone’s cup of tea I certainly think it’s worth more than a look.  So whether you’re a strummer or a fingerpicker, I’d encourage both the past and next generation of player to investigate this intriguing addition to the acoustic guitar world.

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