Its difficult to build a guitar for Bobby now because this is his 6th one.
He has guitars with many different themes already. He even has Busywood
and Bug Infested Zachary Guitars, so its like, "what can I think of
next". For this one I wanted to incorporate sharp angles and really
contrasting colors. This design element conveys action and motion even if
an object is not moving.
Also, as you can see something else new and interesting is the single spring
trem system. I call it the "MonoSpring" trem. I had these springs
custom made specifically for this application. My goal has always been to
make the tremolo a total part of one's playing, not only a part time accessory
or something for special effects. Most people don't use the tremolo and
many only use them for special effects. Some are even afraid of them. Don't
be like Eric Clapton and throw away your tremolo arm, use 5 springs and
block off the bridge so it cannot even move. What's wrong with that guy?
Its not entirely people's fault, tremolos have been far from perfect and
not very natural feeling. Changing the pitch of notes in a legato fashion
by not actually fretting another note should be a natural thing to do. This
was not that easily achieved in the past since tremolos were stiff to operate
and went out of tune easily. I wanted to make the trem so sensitive that
it could be operated with one finger of the picking hand. I wanted to make
it totally natural and a regular part of one's playing regardless of style.
In fact, as you pick either fingerstyle or with a pick, you now can activate
the tremolo with your other non picking fingers while you play. Of course
you need a bit of practice and some talent.
By going to a single heavier gauge spring, I can achieve the same tension
as with two or three regular springs but its movement is made much easier.
This has to do with physics. I also have the arms now made 2cm longer for
better reach precisely where you are picking and more leverage to move the
bridge. Less power is needed to move the tremolo either up or down. Also,
as always, these are floating tremolos, so the note can go either up or
way down to limp noodles. Yes, it does come back to pitch. As I say, the
goal is to make the instrument totally flexible, natural and responsive,
like what the human voice can do. The guitar should not get in the way of
your playing. It should be almost invisible and not even felt, like you
are floating on a cloud and your fingers are moving in space. If we can
play the guitar as easily as we can sing, then everything has been achieved.
Is this new trem setup for everyone? Let's wait and see. I love it myself
but one needs to get used to it. Interestingly, the trem bridge vibrates
constantly as you play. It is always in a state of movement. Don't get scared
now. Surely this will freak out some people who want stability but those
are usually people who wear a suit and tie and have to be at work by a certain
time. Bobby and I don't have jobs so instability doesn't freak us out. Instability
is a way of life for us, where we don't even know what day of the week it
is and who cares. Structure, who needs it? Just fly with the wind, remember
there are no rules, unless you listen to what others tell you to do.
Even touching the bridge or the arm lightly will activate the trem and
change the tuning of the notes. So you have to be careful and know what
you are doing. Being a good player always helps of course. This is not for
the unaccomplished, the inexperienced or the lame. Its all about finesse,
touch sensitivity and nuances in playing. So lets ask Bobby to be a Guinea
Pig and see what he can do with it. He is the perfect person to take on
the challenge. He is qualified.
Bobby in france playing with the band Bray, July 2005
Yo, Alex!!! Hey, Bro, Great to hear fr Ya!!! So what do
Ya think? Is She gonna Fuck people up, BIGTIME??? Yer AWESOME, BRO, You
Really Are!!! Actually, instead of naming Her "Jesse", I want to call Her
"Jess Jess"!!! Jesse likes being called that!!! It's funny, She was asking
me what the new Z3-T looks like, and I told Her that I have No Idea at all!!!
She's like, "Yer kidding, right?". I'm like, "Not really!!!". Then She says,
"Actually, that doesn't surprise me!!!ROFL"
So are Ya Thrilled w/ Her??? Does She give Ya Goosebumps??? Are We Gonna
Give the World a Guitar Labotomy??? I've been doing alot of gigs lately,
and Guitar Players, and People in general are are quite taken w/ Your Work
and my playing!!! The Players are Always asking about my guitars, and saying
how Great they sound!!! Of course, I'm Always happy to let them check them
out!!! Talk about making an impact!!! I think Jess Jess will probably have
a Great Impact on the Strat players!!! Bobby
]
