Duo'Lectar

The DuoLectar is a double-necked stringed instrument which has been designed to use a fretboard-tapping playing style. This type of instrument is meant to be touched or tapped, not strummed.

Duo'Lectar
1961 Bunker Patented DuoLectar
String instrument
Classification String
Hornbostel–Sachs classification321.322
(Composite chordophone)
Inventor(s)Dave Bunker
Developed1955
Related instruments
Dave Bunker

History

The DuoLectar[1] was conceived, built, and played by Dave Bunker in 1955.[2] At the suggestion of Irby Mandrell (father of country singer Barbara Mandrell), Bunker changed the tuning configuration of the lower neck to conform to a standard bass.[3] It was introduced to a live, national TV audience on the Ozark Jubilee, hosted by Eddy Arnold and Red Foley,[4] and then in 1960, Bunker demonstrated his double-necked instrument for the Portland Oregonian newspaper.[5] The DuoLectar was later seen in headline shows at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas from 1964 through 1974.[6]

In 1985, Bunker developed a specialized electronic mute for the instrument, later patented,[7] and this new configuration would become known as the Bunker Touch Guitar.[8]

DuoLectar displayed at the Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle

Until guitarist Jimmie Webster first popularized his Illustrated Touch System in 1952,[9] all guitars had been strummed. But with Webster's single-neck touch-style guitar and then Dave Bunker's headless,[10][11] double-neck, DuoLectar touch guitar, these new instruments, while appearing similar to traditional strummed guitars,[12] actually employed an innovative tapping technique.[13]

Because of its influence on the guitar industry, Seattle's EMP Museum (now called Museum of Pop Culture) displays a DuoLectar guitar and features a video interview with Dave Bunker.[14]

Some contemporary artists have gone forward to utilize the tapping method with their own touch-style guitars, including Emmett Chapman, Eddie Van Halen, Stanley Jordan, Steve Vai, Jeff Healey, Markus Reuter, Chuck Churchman,[15] and Sergio Santucci.[16] Despite this, the touch guitar genre is still a small segment of the industry. Manufacturers that produce the specialized instruments include Bunker Guitars,[17] Warr Guitars,[18] and Mobius (Magatar).[19]

See also

References
  1. WADE, GRAHAM (2012-02-27). A Concise History of Rock Music. Mel Bay Publications. ISBN 9781619110168.
  2. "Living | Why Dave Bunker Is Not Singing the Blues | Seattle Times Newspaper". community.seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  3. Douglas, Bunker, David (2014-01-31). Angels, aliens & guitars. Marysville, Washington. ISBN 9781614630586. OCLC 893575670.
  4. Graham Tichy (2008-02-29), Dave Bunker - Duo-Lectar, retrieved 2018-10-01
  5. "New Guitar Tickles Ears When Touched By Maker". Oregonian. April 24, 1960. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
  6. "Fine-tuning An Innovation After 39 Years, New Guitar Design Is Catching On". tribunedigital-mcall. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  7. "Patent Images". pdfpiw.uspto.gov. Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  8. Objects for use : handmade by design. Smith, Paul J., 1931-, Busch, Akiko. New York: H.N. Abrams in association with the American Craft Museum. 2001. ISBN 0810906112. OCLC 46385863.CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. Webster, Jimmie (1952). Illustrated "Touch System" for Electric and Amplified Spanish Guitar. New York NY: Wm. J. Smith Music Co.
  10. Dickerson, Deke (2013). The Strat in the Attic: Thrilling Stories of Guitar Archaeology. Minneapolis, MN: Voyageur Press. p. 120.
  11. Blecha, Peter (August 16, 2013). "Dave Bunker submits patent application for his dual-necked Duo-Lectar electric "Touch Guitar" to U.S. Patent Office on September 16, 1957". History Link. Essay 10454.
  12. Objects for use : handmade by design. Smith, Paul J., 1931-, Busch, Akiko. New York: H.N. Abrams in association with the American Craft Museum. 2001. ISBN 0810906112. OCLC 46385863.CS1 maint: others (link)
  13. Seven, Richard (June 25, 2000). "Why Dave Bunker Is Not Singing the Blues". The Seattle Times Newspaper.
  14. Dave Bunker (2019-05-11), Dave Bunker Touch Guitar Interview with Museum of Pop Culture, retrieved 2019-05-20
  15. Churchman, Chuck (1980s). "The Biaxe". YouTube. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
  16. Santucci, Sergio. "Santucci TrebleBass". YouTube. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  17. "Bunker Touch Guitars". BunkerGuitars.com.
  18. "Warr Guitars". Warr Guitars.
  19. "Mobius Megatar". Megatar.com.
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