There91裸聊视频檚 a lot of music that can be played with just three strings.
This is something Salmon Arm luthier Ken Paterson has learned since building his first three-string box guitar. Now, 76 box guitars later, Paterson has become adept both at playing the box guitar, and at building them for his business, Artist Bench Guitars.
Modeled after the 91裸聊视频渃igar-box guitar,91裸聊视频� but instead constructed with solid, exotic woods, each of Paterson91裸聊视频檚 guitars are one-of-a-kind works of art, from their sometimes unconventional parts (such as the Guiness can that was used for the bridge on a guitar built for Aquaman/Justice League actor Jason Momoa), to their custom paint jobs.
Paterson had never played a box guitar before building one, but he had his fill with the six-string variety.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a kind of strange transition 91裸聊视频� I airbrushed for about 30 years, I91裸聊视频檝e done motorcycles and airbrushed lots of things and I always liked playing the guitar,91裸聊视频� said Paterson. 91裸聊视频淚 started out with a six-string years and years ago, but I got totally frustrated with chords and music theory and all that stuff.91裸聊视频�
About three years ago, Paterson came across a video on Youtube of . When he heard that bluesy sound, Paterson started looking into three-string instruments and decided to make his own.
91裸聊视频淭he first one I built, it kind of failed because I didn91裸聊视频檛 make the neck properly,91裸聊视频� said Paterson. 91裸聊视频淎nd then I started doing more research and started building them and just fell in love with how simple they are to play and the sound they created, especially when you electrify them91裸聊视频� They91裸聊视频檙e super easy to play and you can play pretty well any song on a three string.91裸聊视频�
Paterson stressed he doesn91裸聊视频檛 use cigar boxes for his guitars as they are difficult to find in Canada and the materials used in their construction do not inspire confidence.
91裸聊视频淚 started making them out of exotic woods like three-quarters-of-an-inch thick walnut,91裸聊视频� said Paterson. 91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 some weight to these guitars.91裸聊视频�
The necks used on Paterson91裸聊视频檚 box guitars are the standard 25.5-inch guitar length, and they tend to be tuned to an open G, though he said it91裸聊视频檚 endless what they can be tuned to.
Tess Corps, Paterson91裸聊视频檚 partner and six-to-three string convert, said there91裸聊视频檚 a community of fellow three-string players who share information and music online. One of them, Mark Piper, features one of Paterson91裸聊视频檚 guitars on his Youtube channel, Uncle Mark91裸聊视频檚 Cigar Box Guitar Lessons.
Paterson91裸聊视频檚 guitars are also played by Momoa, who was gifted two of them by stunt people working with him.
91裸聊视频淗e loves drinking Guinness so I used a Guinness can as part of the bridge, and his tattoo is actually on the surface of it,91裸聊视频� said Paterson of one of the guitars.
Speaking of good exposure, Paterson and Corps were also thrilled with the vibes at their Artist Bench Guitars tent at the 2019 Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.
91裸聊视频淭he Roots and Blues Festival was just amazing because, that was basically our first kick at the cat to get our name out there,91裸聊视频� said Paterson. 91裸聊视频淭here was a lot of guitar players coming around91裸聊视频� They91裸聊视频檇 pick one up and I guarantee you, within five minutes they91裸聊视频檝e got it figured out. They were doing chord changes and just having a blast.91裸聊视频�
In addition to box guitars, Paterson has built a number of three-string shovel guitars and even a couple of four-string box guitars. He91裸聊视频檚 also creating a series of Flying-3 guitars (modeled after the iconic Gibson Flying V), including a V designed in tribute to Eddie Van Halen.
91裸聊视频淭here are no rules with these things; I91裸聊视频檝e got free rein,91裸聊视频� said Paterson.
Artist Bench Guitars are currently available through the company91裸聊视频檚 Facebook page, on , and they have a display at Solid Urban Studios in Ranchero.
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