This custom instrument was created for Pat Metheny in 1984. Linda and Pat collaborated on the design together. Featured is the original version of The "Wedge" ©™ 1984.

VIDEO

See/hear Pat Metheny playing the Pikasso Guitar live in concert in Warsaw with Anna Maria Jopek & Friends.

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ORIGIN

In 1984 Pat Metheny asked me to design and build a guitar with "as many strings as possible." The resulting collaboration was the Pikasso guitar. In 1992 I was asked by the late Scott Chinery to build a strictly acoustic version of Metheny's Pikasso. Thus, Pikasso II. This second Pikasso was recently on display at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts in a show called "Dangerous Curves".

INGREDIENTS

Indian Rosewood Back and Sides, German Spruce top, Mahogany Necks, Ebony fingerboards, bridges and face plates, Pau abalone decorative trim Boxwood, Rosewood, Abalone Rosette Brass insets for mounting on stand.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Four necks. Two sound holes. Two access doors; one on the upper player's side and one at the tail block (based on a panel door design by the brilliant -Abraham Wechter).

The "WEDGE" (TM 1984) is a special feature I designed specifically for this instrument. The body is tapered so that the side closest to the player is thinner than the side that rests on the players knee, thus leaning the top back towards the player for a more aerial view. This is also more comfortable under the player's arm. This feature is available as an option on all my flattop guitars. This instrument was outfitted with a complete state of the art piezo pickup system (designed and installed by Mark Herbert, Boston). This included a hexaphonic pickup on the 6 string section that allowed Metheny to access his Syclavier computersystem thus triggering any sound including sampled sounds. (Saxophone sampling can be heard on the song "Mob Job.") Two mounting holes on the treble side (knee side) are such that the guitar can be mounted on internal brass insets attaching to a stand, leaving hands free for playing or viewing. Brass side bridges were made by Linda and machinist Bruce West.

This instrument took 2 years to build (approximately 1000 hours), and when the 42 strings are tuned to concert pitch, the Pikasso is under approximately 1000 lbs pressure. It weighs 6.7 kg (14 3/4 lbs).

HEAR THE PIKASSO ON MANY RECORDINGS

Anna Maria Jopek and Pat Metheny Metheny Trio Live - "Into the Dream" 2001

Metheny/Jim Hall CD - "Into the Dream" - 2000

Metheny "Imaginary Day" CD - "Into the Dream" 2000

ALSO: Pat Metheny / Ornette Coleman "SONG X " (Geffen 9 24096-2) Cut: Mob Job, Pat Metheny "

Secret Story " (Geffen GEFN-24468) Cuts: Finding and Believing, Rain River, As the Blossom Flowers (I will Come to You)

Pat Metheny with Kenny Garrett "Pursuance" Cut: "After the Rain"

PMG Netcast: patmethenygroup.com.

MEMORABILIA

A Pikasso poster is now available. Email linda@manzer.com for details.