I've been meaning to write about the 2 cellitars for awhile, just to have a record of them. You might not know there was a cellitar 1, let alone a cellitar 2. UNDER CONSTRUCTION I'm going to update this with more videos/audios/pictures in the near future.
Cellitar Mk2
I'll start with the new one. In 2020, I was mulling over what would be the best way to update the Cellitar. I had made things I was proud of but had learned a lot about my own playing style and what I want out of the instrument. I reached out to Halo Guitars and talked with Jeff about what would work. He was very helpful and got my wheels turning, as well. It took several years to complete due to everyone wanting a new instrument from them because they were bored sitting at home as well as the ship getting stuck in the canal and everything else. Good times! No examples released yet but hopefully soon. This instrument makes me feel the need to emote!
Headstock:
Construction Method: Angled
Logo: White Pearloid
Veneer: No
Signature: No
Tuners: Locking
String Tree: None
Truss Rod Cover: Black
Color: Transparent Purple
Burst: Purple
Binding: Black
Purfling: Herringbone
Finish: Gloss
Neck:
Nut: GraphTech White TUSQ, Standard
Scale Length: 24.75"
Wood: 7-Piece laminated maple, walnut
Fingerboard: Ebony
Construction: Bolt on
Truss Rod: Standard
Number of Frets: Fretless (21 Fret Lines: White)
Radius: 110mm
Side Markers: Luminlay
Finish: Solid Purple, Satin
Body:
Shape: Covenant (Chambered)
Contour: Carved Top
Binding (Top): Black
Purfling (Top): Herringbone
Wood (Core): Ash
Color: Transparent Purple
Burst: Purple
Finish: Gloss
Spec information courtesy of Halo Guitars.
The Cellitar Mk1
The Cellitar is a Guitar Cello was built by Scott French. It can be played either picked or bowed, it is fretless with a custom design made for bowing one string at a time for playing melodies as well as for playing chords. The hope was to make an instrument that was expressive as well as voiced in a unique way. Part of what makes this one so special it is the rough edges. The sound is special and it really got me moving and being creative. The Cellitar is close to being a 50/50 hybrid by taking as many elements from the parent instruments as possible. The Cellitar is used extensively on Four Years In August by The Invisible Sundial and makes some cameo apperances on Two Ceramic Lions. "Not To Be Taken Away" might be the best showcase for it.
Specs:
Body:
Bowable SF3 Shape
Acoustic Grade Redwood Carved Top w/Wenge Lam
Figured Spalt Maple Flat Back w/Wenge Lam
Poplar Main Body
Polyester Body Finish
Neck:
24.75" Scale Length
5-Piece Birdseye Maple Neck w/Wenge Lams
Ebony Fingerboard w/7.250" - 4.531" Radius
Metal Side Dots
Ebony w/Maple Headstock/Healcap Veneers
24 Maple Position Marker Lines
Thin 'C' Neck Profile
2 Way Adjustable Truss Rod
1 11/16"' Nut Width
Individual Elements w/Zero Fret
Polyester Neck Finish
Hardware/Electronics:
Custom Ebony Bridge w/Graphite Saddles
Custom Nordstrand NDC Humbuckers
Sperzel Locking Tuners
Schaller Locking Strap Buttons
Volume/Tone/3-Way
Spec information courtesy of Scott French.