Basitar

If you've ever wondered what probably the oddest stringed instrument is, you might want to take a look at the basitar. It's a two-stringed guitar using heavy gauge strings and tuned to fifths. It was created by the Presidents of the United States of America (you know, that band from the 90s with the obnoxiously long name that did such catchy songs as Peaches, Lump, and Kitty) along with a 3 string version known as the guitbass.

With the power of eBay and Musician's Friend I've made one for less than $100.


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The basitar uses large gauge strings (.060 and .036) and is tuned to C# and G# (or Db and Ab if you like that kind of thing). The guitbass is tuned C#, G# (same as basitar), and C# an octave up. Both tunings have the useful effect that barring a fret produces or fits within nearly any chord. The tone is also great, a combination of gauge and tension. The guitar itself cost me only $75, including shipping. I then bought Ernie Ball custom gauge strings for $7.

It's a fun guitar to play, sounding like a low guitar but playing more like a bass. It can also handle walking lines and "chords" (more like double-stops) well. For more information, check out this page, which has instructions and background on both instruments.