I'd like to learn Middle Eastern music which can be micro tonal in some cases. All of the instruments designed for the purpose that I've managed to get my hands on just didn't feel right:
Too light and fragile
Friction tuners
Tied on frets
Expensive with unreliable build quality
Near impossible to source
What I wanted was a frankenstein hybrid between a saz, a tanbour, and a setar (not to be confused with a sitar). Not being the least bit tooly and having never tried wood work before, I initially considered the Cigar Box Guitar option to get something hopefully at least playable. Then I noticed for about $150 more I could get an ES-5V from Pitbull guitars and jumped in.
Hanging out on a CBG forum gave me the idea that this thing could also be good for blues slide guitar - maybe. That being the case, should I call this a Blues Baglama or a Swamp Saz?
Design
My aim is to have three courses of strings tuned to DAD. One low D string and the A and high D strings doubled an octave higher like a twelve string guitar. This will dictate some mucking around with the headstock, nut, bridge and tailpiece.
The microtonal part is where things get interesting. Not having the required skills or patience, I'd rather go fretless than put extra frets in. My idea was to get all the usual fret locations cut, and then cut a few extra ones myself. Instead of installing frets, I'll use a filler of contrasting colour to the fret board.
To preserve the acoustic qualities of the kit I'm trying to mess with the body as little as possible - the fewer holes or things touching it, the better. I've asked for a kit without holes for knobs or pickups routed - just the F holes. I've ordered a humbucker which attaches to the bottom of the neck and hovers above the face of the guitar.
I intend on mounting the tone and volume controls to a pick guard.
The Story So Far
The journey towards me obtaining my custom kit has been as much of an eyebrow-raiser as the design concept itself:
18/7/17
Commenced email tango with Adam about what customisations the factory could be trusted with, and where DB might be able to help out.
31/7/17
Have a plan nutted out with Adam which involves the factory sending over a kit with only F holes routed, no frets or fret markers, and no holes in the head stock (apparently drilling one less is an issue for the factory). DB shall sort out a bone nut and drill the holes for the tuning pegs so that my freaky string count/string spacing can be accommodated.
Kit ordered, informed it would arrive late November and be delivered to DB by the 1st or 2nd week of December. I commence holding my breath.
14/11/17- Roughly 3.5 months since order date
With the arrival date looming I get in touch with DB to discuss mods.
17/12/17- Roughly 4.5 months since order date
Adam recieves my kit and sends "proof of life" photo.
True to their word, the factory has routed only the F holes. I hadn't considered they might be so thorough with those instructions as to not route the neck pocket. After confirming with Adam that I did indeed intend on attaching the neck to the body, he came up with an excellent solution - DB will route the neck pocket.
Awesome news! Quite likely a better outcome than if they routed it at the factory. As an aside - how awesome is this DB character? Good luck finding another luthier who would do all this for such a low price. Custom carved bone nut for $30? Get outta here! Neck pocket on the house? Forget about it! What a legend!
17/1/18- Roughly 5.5 months since order date
I receive word from Adam that the warehouse has been broken into and my kit has been stolen. The wait commences to see if the police can have the stolen goods returned intact or if a new kit will have to be ordered. Bugger.
3/3/18- Roughly 7.5 months since order date
Kit is now officially MIA, and Adam informs me that he will cover the cost to have another one air freighted over. Champion!
23/4/18- Roughly 9 months since order date
Replacement kit arrives.
26/4/18
Adam sends kit to DB. Informs me he should have it by the 27th.
12/5/18- Roughly 9.5 months since order date
Lost contact with DB. I flick him another email just to check that my kit arrived safe and sound. No reply to that one either. I start to wonder if he's ok...
18/5/18
In the time it's taken for my kit to finally turn up, DB has undergone a period of insightful reflection and decided on a career change. Announces on the forum that he's retired as a luthier. At least now we know he's ok I guess.
19/5/18
DB gets in touch with me. He confirms that he does have the kit, but understandably has no desire to muck around with bone nuts and the like given his resignation the day before. Offers to drop it off at PBG HQ to be sent onto me.
23/5/18
Adam receives kit from DB and sends it onto me.
31/5/18
After 11 months lurking on this forum and 10 months since I placed an order, me and my kit are finally united!!
So, back to the drawing board. I now need a nut that will place:
The low D string where an A string would normally sit
The A string where the D string would normally sit
A groove for an unwound string close to the A string
High D String where the G string would normally be
A groove for an unwound string close to the high D
I'll start calling local luthiers for prices, but I have a feeling this is where things are going to get ugly.
Also, I'm wondering if I could get away with a 6 string bridge. Could the doubled courses of strings share a saddle each?
Does the tailpiece play a role in string spacing? If it does I might have to track down a 12 string tailpiece.
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