Year Introduced

2015

2011

2010

Number of Octaves

3 octaves

(less than a guitar)

4 octaves

(similar to 6-string guitar)

5 octaves

(like a 5-string bass + guitar)

Number of Strings

12 strings

16 strings

24 strings

Note Range

C2 to C5

(= lowest 3 octaves of g16)

C2 to C6
(Note: C2 is two whole tones below low E on a 6-string guitar)

A0 to A5
(Note: A0 is the lowest note on a piano)

Number of Frets

15 frets

19 frets

15 frets

Fret Type

NEW! Pepperoni-Tone® frets: Solid 3/16" rods for beefier tone, longer sustain, easier bends, and smoother slides

Traditional guitar fretwire, wide

Traditional guitar fretwire, wide

Fret Material

Specially-Designed Metal Alloy
Maintains excellent electrical conductivity for extremely long periods of time with little or no cleaning

18% Nickel-Silver
Recommend cleaning frets once per week to ensure good electrical conductivity for electronic muting

18% Nickel-Silver
Recommend cleaning frets once per week to ensure good electrical conductivity for electronic muting

Note Marker Shapes

All circular design
Hollow C markers
Saturn-style G markers

Classic rhombus shapes
Hollow C markers

Classic rhombus shapes
Hollow C markers

Marker Board

Removable and Replaceable

Permanent

Permanent

Audio Outputs

1 Output

1 Output

2 Outputs

(8 bass strings, 16 treble strings)

Audio Output Jack

(1) Female 1/4" Mono Jack

(1) Female 1/4" Mono Jack

(1) Female 1/4" TRS Jack
Tip = Treble Strings
Ring = Bass Strings
Sleeve = Ground

Control Knobs

Left Knob: Master Volume
Right Knob: Master Tone

Left Knob: Master Volume
Right Knob: Master Tone

Left Knob: Master Volume,
Right Knob: Tone for Treble Strings

Electronic String Muting

YES
Proprietary StrumClean®, independent electronic string muting on each string

YES
Proprietary StrumClean®, independent electronic string muting on each string

YES
Proprietary StrumClean®, independent electronic string muting on each string

String Terminals

Quick-screw clamps, no winding necessary, no slipping or detuning

Quick-screw clamps, no winding necessary, no slipping or detuning

Quick-screw clamps, no winding necessary, no slipping or detuning

String Tuners

Easy front access with small hex-drive screwheads to prevent accidentally bumping out-of-tune

Easy front access with small hex-drive screwheads to prevent accidentally bumping out-of-tune

Easy front access with small hex-drive screwheads to prevent accidentally bumping out-of-tune

Action

Fully adjustable at both ends of string

Fully adjustable at both ends of string

Fully adjustable at both ends of string

Intonation

Fully adjustable intonation screws with anti-vibration dampers for safe transport

Fully adjustable intonation screws with anti-vibration dampers for safe transport

Fully adjustable intonation screws with anti-vibration dampers for safe transport

Overall Body Dims (inches)

28.960" x 8.440" x 2"

32.171" x 10.250" x 2"

38.520" x 13.500" x 2"

Instrument Weight (w/o case)

10.5 lbs (birch)
10.6 lbs (maple)
11.0 lbs (bamboo)

11.5 lbs (birch)
12.8 lbs (maple)
13.1 lbs (bamboo)

19.5 lbs (birch)
22.0 lbs (maple)
24.3 lbs (bamboo)