Bio
Exploration
Rick Toone is designing instruments to fit the human body.
He holds patents for Trapezoid Neck Profile™ and Intersecting Neck Profile™ both radical departures from conventional neck shapes, created to maximize biomechanical leverage in the human hand.
Rick holds additional patents on intonation and tuning hardware, including the Intonation Adjustable Nut™ which works in conjunction with his Intonation Cantilever Bridge™ and Positional Constant String Pitch Control System™ tuning mechanism.
He also holds a patent for the Neutral Tension Bridge™ which eliminates string tension on acoustic instrument soundboards, allowing reduced bracing to capture and transmit full string vibration.
As a combined system, this integrated hardware fully controls tuning and intonation over the entire length of the string, for both acoustic and electric instruments.
When you commission an instrument, you can expect to work closely with Rick, exploring all aspects of your interaction with your instrument. Posture, playing technique, lingering injuries or discomforts will all be addressed, as the instrument is fitted to your body, musical style, and amplification system.
Informing his lutherie, Rick is also a songwriter and musician.
Press
• Rig Rundown: Animals As Leaders
(Rebecca Dirks for Premier Guitar)
• Rick Toone Blur 8-string
(FUZZ Magazine)
• NAMM 2012 Editor's Picks: Day 1
(Premier Guitar)
• The Making of Orchid
(Corey Brown for No Treble)
• Hand-crafted pirate guitar comes with built-in rum flask
(Boing Boing)
• Interview: Rick Toone
(Dennis Yates for eLutherie)
• Alexandria Township guitar maker builds for musicians around the world
(Teresa Fasanello for Hunterdon County Democrat)
• 500: Guitars: A Definitive A-Z Guide
(Gavin Wilson)
