Guitars for all special needs players

RESHAPING SPECIAL NEEDS:  AXCESS TO GUITARS FOR ALL

A huge part of the global player audience miss out on the modern guitar: those with physical challenges.
I want to now redesign the modern guitar to meet the special needs of so many players: players that simply find a traditional electric guitar too challenging to hold and control.

Special needs musicians can benefit enormously from music: they need more suitable, economical guitar models.

We are not alone and we are adding strength to the community of disabled players.  Disability Grants are major supporters https://www.disability-grants.org/disability-arts.html along with Red Bull have an active interest in this cause... so too helpmusicians.org.uk/, drakemusic.org/ and several other partners whom we are aiming to support with customised products.


KEY AREAS
3 areas the modern guitar fails the new special needs user:

Heavy 8-9 KG
Standard shapes
Designed and suited solely to able-bodied male players

An affordable guitar that fits new needs will create more great experiences for the players, new sounds and likely a world with more inspirational music.

Therein lies our personal cause: High quality + low cost = great musical access FOR ALL.



SMALL FUND DONATE AND FUND EQUIPMENT - Target 'SEE':  Space, Equipment, Expertise
This is a difficult time for most of us but a time that brings us closer on compassionate, creative collaborations.  This fund call could not wait and so we decided to push forward with it in it's most focused form.

The funding is sought in moderate small donations and we may of course build on the initial set up, updating progress and renewing new developments and our offer. Of course we will accept larger donations which will gear us up faster and broaden our delivery volume.

We are seeking passionate support for the setting up of a component parts finishing workshop with the initial employment of 2 co-workers and 1 apprentice.

DONATION SIZE
We ask you to donate anywhere between £$15-75.00 in your own currency to our fund which will enable the purchase of:


AMOUNTING TO A START ROLLING OUT 
1.  £3600.00 (Pounds sterling) compact CNC machine for shaping and finishing special need components for bodies and necks.
2.  100 hours £35.00 ph Finding a fund reach team leader to head us towards success: finding global needs charities, schools, trainers, user demographics and regions.
3.  Team building of volunteer agents, teachers assisting the fitting of users.
4.  Developing teaching support networks.
5.  £1800.00 Deposit and workshop space 3-6month rental opening costs

The workshop will aim to be set up by June 30 2021.


DESIGNING NEW REAL, COOL ROCK N ROLL  GUITARS - A catharsis for one handed and other users

A guitar has to look cool right?!
We share the values of OHMI Trust which is a UK based charity that works to remove the barriers to music making faced by people with physical disabilities while never taking our eye of just how cool a modern player electric guitar is. 



DESIGN DEVELOPMENTS
We recognise the more serious challenges to make usable instruments for all. As makers, designers and technicians we aim to create and develop high quality musical instruments.

SINGLE HANDEDLY
I have developed a real guitar made very suitable for a one handed player.
There are a lot of other challenged players who I can design a really beautiful instrument for. And guitars become a love and important object in our lives.


Needs are to supply:

1. Playable - instruments with all the qualities of a conventional instrument but are playable without the full use of one hand/arm. 

2. Enabling Apparatus - stands/harnesses etc. that allow standard instruments to be more easily playable. 

3.  Innovation and new product development pathways.



EXPLORING PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS 





CUSTOM CUT FOR LIGHTER WEIGHT AND BETTER TRANS GENDER WEAR/PLAYERBILITY

RETAINING ROCK N ROLL CREDENCE






These guitars aim to be genuine players instruments with a range of practical changes that drastically improve Learning and Playing.


IMPOROVING THE LEARNING AND PLAYING PATH
3 styles of design are now completed and ready to make. All featuring:


Functionality
Standard feel, sound, looks 
Compact vintage style
Lightweight 
4, 5 and 6 string neck widths
Corrected easy-in, body contours
Stable straps and knee grips
Easier plug n play controls

Seymour Duncan pickups
Maple Fender licensed necks
2 piece Paulownia bodies


NEEDS Summary
We want to supply bespoke guitars to the young with disabilities for example young people or older adults with say Spina bifida struggle to hold standard guitars.... and while we consider the male centricity of guitar design how about girls and guitars?



OUR GROWING MISSION




Since 2018 I have piloted NGS Guitars a new design and build workshop producing bespoke guitar parts for the newly emerging global market of able bodied self-build guitar enthusiasts. But I noticed something missing. Special needs guitar players and heroes.

I started playing and tinkering with guitars and music 30 years ago and having worked as a successful furniture designer I found by ageing a brand new guitar body the sound and visual appeal went stellar. From the 4 corners modern players just love them. 

GENDER DESIGN
However I noticed several players requesting light weight guitars due to back injuries but very few clients were women players (despite girl players being reasonably well represented on social networks) and none from special needs community.

Instagram tag search for #guitarist shows up 12mil while #Girlguitarist grabs 58K.

We need to create products that reach people who would love to be able to play guitar but who's needs aren't currently being met.






2020  TARGETS - SUPPORTING DIFFERENCE - SUPPORTING DIFFERENT CHARITIES
NGS Guitars is already providing myself with a new way forward as a UK creative designer-maker. It can provide for a great many aspiring new needs musicians out there too.

During the challenges of 2020 it has maintained a clear picture of new opportunities, and identifying its most vibrant products and service.
Our primary target is to start the project with our online store which is being built right now.

ONE HANDED INSTRUMENT COSTS
Many charities now fund the development of One-Handed instruments such as Flutes and Woodwind items. These are incredibly specific and precise builds that cost several thousands of pounds/dollars.

Bespoke guitars are not normally cheap things to develop yet we have faith in keeping our costs aligned to our standard and supported pricing.

Savings can be made due to our strong design and build capabilities - we know we can make a difference and support those who need to get started.


The AXCESS ONLINE store will offer lending and leasing of instruments to music centred charities.


LET@S TALK
I am shortly creating a Zoom webinar where we can have our first presentation and information exchange forum. I can set out and show the new designs, makers and collectors opportunities.

We have the skills.
Many deserve to flourish with an exciting musical access project for all.

Thank you
Nick Garrett
NGS Guitars UK