The Grand Ztar
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The Grand Ztar is A MIDI keyboard/guitar like instrument that is played as a two handed tapping instrument...
I have been playing the Ztar for many years now, and I have also worked along with Harvey Starr to construct over 10 Ztar's..
I'm still finding new musical challenges every time I pick one up.
I designed and built the "housing" (body/neck all the wood work) of the "Grand" from Zebrano and Mahogany..
I also installed / set up all of the electronic/mechanical components that come from Starr Labs.
it is basically two Z-1 model Ztar's packed into one body....
I wanted to build this instrument so I could not only have a wider range (more range then a full sized piano!) , but also I needed more "MIDI Zones" for elaborate set-ups such as large drum kits..
The fingerboard layout is based on 5ths tuning starting on a VERY low 'C' as the "open note".
The Black/White key arrangement is set up so that all the white keys are the same as the naturals on a piano and all the black keys are the flats/sharps on a piano.
Tunings can be programmed to any tuning I chose, but I really wanted this instruments to be built primarily for 5ths tuning, so that's why I decided on the black/white "piano like arrangement" of the keys.
Anyway, there's too much information about the Ztar to just fill up one web page, so I highly suggest going to Starr labs for more information on the Ztar.
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 The instrument uses 2 separate midi outputs,
so it can either run to 2 separate synth units
-OR-
It can use a MIDI Merge box (will be included) that will allow it to hook up to 1 synth.
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Click on the below links to see video samples of a Ztar being played
Video Ztar improvisations preformed by Todd Keehn
 click on link to go to Starr labs
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Please click on photos for information and full view of these unique axe's built right here at TK Instruments!
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