1971 Ralph Smith 18-String "Prototype"

[mgeek]

Other than 18 strings is there anything new/innovative/magical about this guitar that could be patentable?

The heel join is unlike anything I've seen before , and I think they mentioned the thumb groove on the back of it being patented in the vid i posted

[Scout]

There could be a slew of component and assembly patents on that guitar, besides the neck joint the bracing design, the bridge and its attachment, the truss rod, the overall shape just to name a few things.

[Unicorn Warrior]

Honestly, I’d love to hear that thing.

Is the third string an even higher octave? What strings would achieve that?

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Honestly, I’d love to hear that thing.

Is the third string an even higher octave? What strings would achieve that?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_-KJgblew

2:30 or so to hear one! I can't really tell the difference between this and a 12 tbh, but maybe in person?

...and as mgeek says, it kinda sounds like a regular 12 string, making me think the strings are tuned with only one an octave higher (the other 2 the same as eachother).

Although, looking at the picture, it kinda looks like the top 2 strings are the same & the bottom one is thicker (which would be tuned an octave lower, no?)

[andy_tchp]

Yeah looks like octave-octave-standard on EADG then three in unison for the B and e.

[PorkyPrimeCut]

Yeah looks like octave-octave-standard on EADG then three in unison for the B and e.

Making the statement "It sounds like a 12 string with a harp behind it" a little excessive.

[andy_tchp]

Yeah looks like octave-octave-standard on EADG then three in unison for the B and e.

Making the statement "It sounds like a 12 string with a harp behind it" a little excessive.

Yep.

Surprised they didn't throw something in the area of a .011"-.013" plain string on to get three octaves on the low 'E' along with some heavy wound strings to achieve octave down (as well as up) on the A, D and G strings - seems like an opportunity wasted.

[Embenny]

Yeah looks like octave-octave-standard on EADG then three in unison for the B and e.

Making the statement "It sounds like a 12 string with a harp behind it" a little excessive.

Yep.

Surprised they didn't throw something in the area of a .011"-.013" plain string on to get three octaves on the low 'E' along with some heavy wound strings to achieve octave down (as well as up) on the A, D and G strings - seems like an opportunity wasted.

All you need to do is calculate the current tension, then use a string calculator to figure out if any alternatives would work.

I doubt the guitar would have playable intonation with any giant strings going down to a third octave, though. Three octaves on the same non-adjustable saddle is a recipe for an intonation nightmare.

[tdbajus]

How wide is that neck? I mean, there is a reasonable amount of space between the strings- a reason I will never be able to properly play a Rick 360 12; I suffer from sausage digits.

With the amount of pull it seems to be able to handle, did the luthier just use a 2x4 and round the edges a bit?