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  • Author Author: dwinhold
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Musictech Challenge - Stringless Synthesized Electric Guitar (Post #1 - Independant Challenger)

dwinhold

Hi everyone,

 

I wasn't chosen as a finalist but Chrystal and I have decided to partake in this challenge. We are both very happy with the choices of finalists and wish all the best to each and every one of them!!

 

The Beaglebone Black from Texas Instruments will be the life of the guitar. I will have a 4.3" touch screen that will be used as the user setup and the virtual strings. Touch sensors will be used on the neck of the guitar to let the BBB know where your fingers are located. When you touch the sensors, like you would on an actual stringed guitar, it will change the tone when the virtual strings are strummed. Speakers will be used to produce the sound (or music if your good) as well the BBB will be user controlled to change the sound produced.


The guitar will be built by myself (I custom make guitars) and have all the electronics hand fitted into the body and neck. Attached is a layout plan of how this will come together.

 

Below are pictures of our idea as well as pictures of work in progress:

 

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Here is a picture of the guitar I made with the LED screen inlaid into the body. I hand made and carved the guitar myself. The neck is made up of layers of solid Maple and Jatoba, the V at the top is made by bending the layers.

 

image

 

We hope you all like the idea and follow along!!

 

Dale & Chrystal Winhold

  • Hey Dale & Chrystal!

     

    Great project - I have some experience with music hacks in a guitar-like form factor, such as the Quirkuitar from the second Music Tech Fest (video below) and some others, so shoot me a message if you want to chat about anything at any point! Looking forward to following this one.

     

  • in reply to dwinhold

    You could use LED/Detectors if you set up the strings to break the light path.

     

    You might want to consider light detectors.  You could set up a light source to project on the detectors and then pick up your finger positions using the drop in light amplitude.  It might take a lot of fiddling though.

     

    Have you considered capacitive touch?

     

    DAB

  • in reply to dwinhold

    Hi Dale!

     

    Thank you for the detail. My worry as guitarist is about the risk of the use of the touch intensively when playing ...

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to shabaz

    Thank you, hope it work as well as I dream. Everyone is welcome to help with this project.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Thank you, I've made stringed instruments for years. This was originally going to be a custom electric guitar, now it's going to be one of a kind.