Back in 1983 EVERYBODY wanted a CASIO DG-10 guitar synthesizer. This has nylon strings which fire corresponding data to an onboard computer, which in turn plays the sounds of whichever instrument you've selected! Naturally the sounds are not mind-blowingly awesome but some are actually pretty usable.
You can either play the DG-10 as a standalone guitar via its built-in speakers or for better quality sound you can plug it into your stereo.
Add to this the fact that it has a built in Casio drum machine (with independent volume controls) and you have a veritable one man band.
This crazy piece of 80's musical gadgetry features in an episode of The Flight of the Conchords! Around 25 years after it was released by Casio. The Conchords say that they bought their Casio synth from a pawn shop in the future. This model has been fully set-up with all nylon strings having been tensioned correctly. Careful when tensioning the strings as the tuning machine heads can snap.
I'm buying one of these for my brother as a gift. Do you have a recommendation for what strings I should buy specifically? I know they're nylon, but I'm not sure what to recommend to him.
ReplyDeleteThey are approximately .032 in. gauge, black in color. I am going to replace the strings on mine, and am investigating using monofilament fishing leader line, but need to find .032 in or .80 mm dia. You can use regular nylon guitar strings, but they need to all be .032 in. dia. Not every guitar shop sells strings individually so using the right dia. monofilament line may be a cheaper solution. You'll need to heat the bridge end of the string to create a small ball for securing the string to the actuator triggers at the bridge.
DeleteYou will need 2 different size allen (hex) wrenches to secure the strings.
DeleteAt Bass Pro Shop I found 80LB test .90mm dia. Leader line (Tournament Grade Monofilament Fishing Line) 100 yards for $12.99 enough to make 100 strings for the DG-10. I tried it, and it fits in the little holes in the actuators and works just fine. The string passes through two holes and a groove in the actuator, so it may not work properly unless you string it that way.
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