Ciat-Lonbarde Introduces Namastitar
Those crazy cats at Ciat-Lonbarde have announced that they will custom build a Namastitar to order based on the prototype you see below. The Namastitar is an analog/string hybrid that utilizes a scale transpired from the Japanese mountain monastarey to the sufi tones of Hurqalya. Any scale fretting is possible, standard 12 tone equal temperement, as well as other equal temperements such as 19, 22, 31, and other arbitary fret spacings as well. The fewer the frets, the larger the steps of the electronic tone.
The brass frets, besides setting the intervals of the acoustic string tones, are also nodes of an oscillator. So by playing the fretboard, you articulate string tone as well as oscillator tone. This oscillator makes a ring-modulation circuit with the sound of the string so you have complex articulated tones formed out of plucked string, as well as smooth oscillator tones made by pressing on the bridge. There are four knobs: oscillator basis frequency, fretboard convolution, mix of affected and clean string sounds, and master volume. The fretboard convolution knob controls how the oscillator responds to the fret scale- going upwards or downwards or upwards-downwards.
The temperament of the electronic tone is controlled by the convolution knob, so the frets themselves do not need electronic tuning. The prototype has a extra long neck, but a standard length can be provided to make replacing the strings economical. The body is carved out of a solid piece of spanish cedar, and the neck is made out of solid walnut. The fretboard is maple, and the tuning pegs are Ipe. The soundboard is plastic, but a wood one is possible too. The prototype is 42 inches long and 8 inches wide at the body.
If you want one of these pups it will set you back $520. More information on the Ciat-Lonbarde Namastitar.
