opto-aesthetically designed guitar by bastard basses

opto-aesthetically designed guitar by bastard basses
image © andras ladocsi

analyzing classic guitar designs, this final exam project by szabolcs sinkafor from bastard basses, for the moholy-nagy university of arts and design budapest, focuses on a visually balanced, ergonomic construction. during its 60 year reign, leo fender’s bass guitar became a state-of-the-art piece, ‘little bastard bass’ reexamines this exploring new possibilities with the technology required for the instrument. the redevelopment lead to a multi-scale fretboard system at the base of the guitar, offering a high level of playing comfort that puts less stress on the left hand. able to support all types of playing techniques, the feature has sonic advantages as well as helping musicians to tune easily. wanting to also make the technology appear visually balanced, the designer discovered a pattern that follows an ‘optical guide system’ – able to be applied to a whole new line of balanced looking multi-scale basses. the final piece adjusts the typical guitar’s holding angle and is smaller in body size to avoid injuries and lessen stress on the hands, arms and shoulders. currently a niche market, the multi-scale fretboard system combined with a shorter neck offers beginners and professionals something new.

back perspective glam shot

little bastard bass explores new possibilities of visual aesthetics with the instrument’s required technology

front view

back view

front perspective showing the guitar based on a visually balanced, ergonomic construction

detail view of the construction

uniquely designed control knobs

the little bastard bass is able to support all types of playing techniques

body-neck joint detail view

‘opto-aesthethical’ design-guide-system

project info:

designer: szabolcs sinka
university: moholy-nagy university of art & design budapest (MOME)
project leader: péter vető
consultant: pál koós
prototype manufacturer: MLP guitars
photos: andras ladocsi
after-effects: szabolcs sinka

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