MULTIPLA A.M.

I was very surprised to receive a correspondence from someone I have been a fan of

for some time. The  message sent read “Hello, I would like to purchase one of your instruments”.   Just that simple!

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   When I saw who it was from, I thought   Wow!  How cool!  After I contacted him, it seemed to good to be true. You see, I was to be given a lot of freedom fo build an instrument with only the criteria that it  should have some cool looking wood on it.  Done!  

 

   I thought it over for a time and e mail him back with an idea that I had for what I have now named the Multipla A.M. ( pronounced “Multiplah” ). Once again I have named one of my guitars after a car!  In this case, the 1956 Fiat 600 Multipla. I have a thing for old European cars.  As a teen, I had owed two differ Fiat X/19 and a Fiat Strada.  Yes, they broke down on the regular, but when they were running, they ran amazingly smooth!  Besides, They looked so cool!!  However, the 1956 Fiat 600 Multipa was one that I have adored for a very long time.  It really was the first mini van. Hard to believe it could really fit 6 people. It was also very utilitarian. If you google some photos, you might find a few similar curves and a use of separated color way from the car which I borrowed for use in my design.

 

   That brings us to this build. My instrument designs are usually outside the box. This one is no exception. I have had the idea for it for a while now. A cool short scale guitar that has a deceptively hollow body. Inside is a braced Douglas fir soundboard. The instrument also has a low output AlNiCo 5 pickup, which is floating on two silicone rings. My intention was to make a guitar with a few of its own cool sounds.  It can be an electric guitar or something altogether different.  The A.M. in the name comes from my love of the A.M. radio like tone that jumps from it when strung with Phosphor Bronze strings. and played unplugged. Try different types of strings for other textures too!

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                                         My Gospel about this build

 

   Hand a musician an instrument, and they will find the magic inherent it.  So why not explore some fresh new sounds with this build!  I only ask that it not be compared.  Just pick it up, play it, listen to it, feel it, and create with it.  I absolutely love this build!  I think its owner will too. I cant wait to hear what cool music comes from pairing it with him.  After all, he is a super creative himself.  He is one of the 3 man creative team behind the conception of one of the favored advanced tools in my shop. Thats right, The Makerbot 3D printer!  I am very glad to have had the opportunity to create this one of a kind instrument for him.  I have dreamed of a machine like the Makerbot  since I saw the replicator  used abroad the starship Enterprise.    Yep, Star Trek for you novices!