Rick Toone

Neck Over Strings Pickup

VIDEO: Killick plays Walrus multi-scale fretless guitar with neck over strings pickup. Signal chain is Neural DSP Quad Cortex > Logic. Listen on headphones or full range speakers. Audio left is guitar body pickups. Audio right is neck over strings pickup. Immersive and compelling soundscape.
PHOTO: Neck over strings pickup. Lace Alumitone Deathbucker. Aircraft aluminum, stainless steel.

“Fred Frith in the UK and Hans Reichel of Germany were the pioneers of the pickup over the strings at that end of the neck in the 1970’s.” (Henry Kaiser)

VIDEO: Adam Wilson & Killick Hinds fretless improv duet. Adam via Axe FX. Killick via Neural DSP Quad Cortex. Direct into Logic.

Adam J Wilson Live

PHOTO: Adam J. Wilson recorded live at American University in Washington D.C. on October 10, 2024.

Before we get into the details, here is the overview. Adam is playing multi-scale fretless Spearfish™ 6-string guitar through a signal chain of electronics controlled by software he wrote. Output is into an 8.2 channel speaker array.

I made an mp3 clip that is suitable for posting on your site; a little over a minute excerpt. I am trying to post/share only clips from the forthcoming record; still trying to figure out how to contend with AI/scraping/etc.

The title is 2024.2, it is a 16-channel electroacoustic piece, and the personnel includes me, playing the second fretless spearfish (‘Plectrodon’) you made for me, and my real-time improvisation software (collectively called ‘Skronkbot’). The first 30 seconds of the drums is composed, and the remaining 6 minutes are generated algorithmically from that kernel. The bass and harmony instruments are generated in real-time in response to my playing. The harmonic resources are based on a 16-tone just intonation scale with a variable reference frequency.

I am really enjoying the sound of the latest Plectrodon. I am definitely converted to a bridge pickup guy. I feel like with the sustainer and the Bare Knuckle in the bridge position, I was able to achieve a cello- or saxophone- like timbre using a massive amount of gain on a tweaked ENGL model.

Funny story: I was contemplating getting a tube amp, and I auditioned a lot of them. My favorites were ENGL amps: the Savage 120 and the Founders Edition. Then I discovered that my favorite stock model on the Axe Fx, ‘Angle Severe,’ which I have been modifying to get my sound for a couple of years, is based on the Savage 120! The ear wants what the ear wants! (Adam J. Wilson)

PHOTO: Spearfish™ 6-string guitar. Multiscale fretless patented component system, precision machined from aircraft aluminum and stainless steel. Bare Knuckle custom pickup. Sustainiac driver with custom electronics.

Gilmourish

PHOTOS: RICK TOONE ’67 inspired by David Gilmour’s black guitar, heard on so many classic Pink Floyd albums. Custom noiseless DiMarzio™ single coils designed by Steve Blucher. Patent pending Rick Toone™ tremolo and components: output jack, neck plate. Gotoh locking tuners. Alder body with light relic nitro. Neck is quarter sawn maple with stainless steel frets.

I’m in love with it. The tremolo system is incredible. Can’t knock it out of tune. Been playing this thing all night. It’s really something special. Holy shit this guitar is fun. (Joe Cirotti)

PHOTOS: Patent pending RICK TOONE™ components precision machined from aircraft aluminum, brass, stainless steel.

Black & White

PHOTOS: RICK TOONE ’67 formally attired in tuxedo black & white. Custom noiseless DiMarzio™ single coils designed by Steve Blucher. Patent pending Rick Toone™ tremolo and components: output jack, neck plate. Gotoh locking tuners. Alder body with light relic nitro. Neck is quarter sawn maple with stainless steel frets.

Just in time for Halloween, two instant gratification Treats.

These two lovely RICK TOONE ’67’s have been flying quietly behind the scenes, but have landed here at the shop momentarily and are available.

If you aspire to next generation tremolo virtuosity whilst also seeking the familiar contours of Leo’s most famous work…this is your moment.

Purchase individually, or as a pair if you are a touring pro.

PHOTOS: RICK TOONE ’67 in Olympic White dressed as a “parts caster” (with a genuine factory neck). Mint green pick guard. Custom noiseless DiMarzio™ single coils designed by Steve Blucher. Patent pending Rick Toone™ tremolo and components: output jack, neck plate. Hipshot locking tuners. Alder body with light relic nitro.

Wingspan 6 | Ares

PHOTOS: Increasingly, Ares steps forth. Bare Knuckle Pickups. 10-way switching. Element™ component system. Carbon fiber, alder. Some moments with the paints under studio lights.