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Matthew Grasso's performances demand distinctive and exceptional instruments. Two in particular stand out: his Extended 7-String Guitar and the unique Raga Guitar.

 

25-string Raga Guitar

Matt and the Raga Guitar
click here for a high res look!

"The Raga Guitar was built for me by Scott Richter.

This instrument is a hybrid of my extended 7-string guitar and a sarod. It has 7-playing strings, 12 sympathetic strings (steel strings), 4 jawari, and 2 chikari for a total of 25-strings.

The 1st-string has 24 frets, the 7th-string has two extra frets past the nut (730 mm scale length), and the fingerboard is in just intonation (purely tuned intervals)."

- Matt

Raga Guitar - back of neck Raga Guitar fretboard Raga Guitar tuning pegs

The Extended 7-String guitar was built by luthier Gregory Byers (of Willets, CA). The guitar has extra low and high frets, adding an octave to its range.

 

Extra Frets at the Nut

extra frets

extra frets, side view

Matt's custom 7 string guitar
 

The 7th string has two extra frets past the nut, (729.6mm scale length) allowing the guitar to reach a low 'A' or 'G' (beneath the low 'E' string). With
the sliding capo system, it is possible to stop the string chromatically within the first five frets. There are three extra high frets on the first string, reaching 22 frets, or a high 'D'.
 
The guitar also features an elevated fingerboard, enabling the performer to more easily access the higher positions.
 
Elevated fingerboard

7-String Guitar Luthiers
Greg Byers- http://www.byersguitars.com
Scott Richter- http://www.richterguitars.com
Peter Oberg- http://www.obergguitars.com

 


All material on this page and music linked herein is ©2007 Matthew Grasso
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