meet the Quintar (8-string bass/guitar/sitar-thingy)

xush · 03-21-2008, 05:03 PM

not really sure where to post this, so I'll stick it here.

Our new instrument from the Netherlands arrived recently, we're working on fitting it into the arsenal. Don't think there's time to squeeze it onto the new album, but we're having fun getting to know it:

started a thread about it over at our new forum:
http://www.analogmissionary.com/phpB...ic.php?f=2&t=6

savereno · 03-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Cool shit!

ssspert · 03-22-2008, 06:19 AM

Its an octave bass kind of strung like a 12 sting guitar.
I played one years ago on a fretless, the idea is nothing new.

xush · 03-22-2008, 11:32 AM

technically, it would be closer to a double-course baritone guitar minus 2 strings.

Splitting hairs, I suppose, but it feels more like it should be strummed than plucked, to me.

The scale is shorter than a short-scale bass, and it is built to be tuned differently. Note that the last course of strings are both unwound, unlike a bass.
Although it can be set up similar to a bass, it's more of a hybrid and has a very different tone than a typical 8-string bass, which I have a couple of.

It's new to us, anyway.

ssspert · 03-22-2008, 01:56 PM

the fat strings, and their spacing make it look more like a bass.

The Wayniac · 03-23-2008, 12:17 PM

I think its a cool instrument. Never seen one played live.

xush · 03-23-2008, 01:03 PM

I'm pretty sure we're going to work it into the live shows. Hope so anyway.
I dig its tone; heck, I'll play it if I have to!

Edwin P also makes his own version of the Stick, which is how we met him:
his version is half-fretless (first one on the left):

clockworkengine · 03-23-2008, 01:26 PM

These are whack devices. How does it play? Have you written any thing with it yet?

xush · 03-23-2008, 03:23 PM

the Quintar plays really nice; super-low action and the neck is nice and round with a comfortable radius. The scale is longer than most guitars, but I don't think a guitarist would find it difficult to play.

We haven't recorded it yet, but we're working on some stuff.

On Edwin's page, the first 2 tracks feature our Quintar before he shipped it from the Netherlands.

http://www.myspace.com/eadvinemusic

We're still trying to decide if Tony will string it like a bass w/ 4 wound main strings and 3 wound octaves + 1 unwound oct, or if we'll leave it like it is for a more droney/strummy approach. Still kind of feeling it out to see where it sits best in the arsenal.

Edwin's workmanship is very nice. There's a cool engraved cover plate over the back electronics cavity with his embossed logo, and the wordworking on the pickup inset is really good. He's making some very unique, tasty instruments over there, we're really excited to be working with him.

03-21-2008, 05:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
xush Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: mark side of the dune Posts: 461 Rep Power: 46	meet the Quintar (8-string bass/guitar/sitar-thingy) not really sure where to post this, so I'll stick it here. Our new instrument from the Netherlands arrived recently, we're working on fitting it into the arsenal. Don't think there's time to squeeze it onto the new album, but we're having fun getting to know it: started a thread about it over at our new forum: http://www.analogmissionary.com/phpB...ic.php?f=2&t=6

03-22-2008, 06:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
ssspert Band Member GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wemo Posts: 2,436 Rep Power: 15	Its an octave bass kind of strung like a 12 sting guitar. I played one years ago on a fretless, the idea is nothing new. __________________ Straight Shots Myspace page My Myspace Bass page email ME for Straight Shot booking information. “Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” James Dean

03-22-2008, 11:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
xush Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: mark side of the dune Posts: 461 Rep Power: 46	technically, it would be closer to a double-course baritone guitar minus 2 strings. Splitting hairs, I suppose, but it feels more like it should be strummed than plucked, to me. The scale is shorter than a short-scale bass, and it is built to be tuned differently. Note that the last course of strings are both unwound, unlike a bass. Although it can be set up similar to a bass, it's more of a hybrid and has a very different tone than a typical 8-string bass, which I have a couple of. It's new to us, anyway. Last edited by xush; 03-22-2008 at 12:46 PM.

03-22-2008, 01:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
ssspert Band Member GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wemo Posts: 2,436 Rep Power: 15	the fat strings, and their spacing make it look more like a bass. __________________ Straight Shots Myspace page My Myspace Bass page email ME for Straight Shot booking information. “Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.” James Dean

03-23-2008, 12:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
The Wayniac Moderator Band Whore Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mobile, AL. Posts: 965 Rep Power: 44	I think its a cool instrument. Never seen one played live. __________________ ______________________ Less Ego equals More Jam.

03-21-2008, 05:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
savereno Band Whore Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 264 Rep Power: 16	Cool shit!

03-23-2008, 01:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
xush Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: mark side of the dune Posts: 461 Rep Power: 46	I'm pretty sure we're going to work it into the live shows. Hope so anyway. I dig its tone; heck, I'll play it if I have to! Edwin P also makes his own version of the Stick, which is how we met him: his version is half-fretless (first one on the left):

03-23-2008, 01:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
clockworkengine Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Henry, CO Age: 26 Posts: 464 Rep Power: 46	These are whack devices. How does it play? Have you written any thing with it yet? __________________ Censor this, bitch.

03-23-2008, 03:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
xush Band Member Band Whore Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: mark side of the dune Posts: 461 Rep Power: 46	the Quintar plays really nice; super-low action and the neck is nice and round with a comfortable radius. The scale is longer than most guitars, but I don't think a guitarist would find it difficult to play. We haven't recorded it yet, but we're working on some stuff. On Edwin's page, the first 2 tracks feature our Quintar before he shipped it from the Netherlands. http://www.myspace.com/eadvinemusic We're still trying to decide if Tony will string it like a bass w/ 4 wound main strings and 3 wound octaves + 1 unwound oct, or if we'll leave it like it is for a more droney/strummy approach. Still kind of feeling it out to see where it sits best in the arsenal. Edwin's workmanship is very nice. There's a cool engraved cover plate over the back electronics cavity with his embossed logo, and the wordworking on the pickup inset is really good. He's making some very unique, tasty instruments over there, we're really excited to be working with him. Last edited by xush; 03-23-2008 at 03:28 PM.