Two Minds, Two Hearts, a pair of amazing guitars and basses

​ Welcome back. It's been a while since the last podcast, and I can't think of a better way than this to start the ball rolling again.
 
The story behind all the writing I've done and these podcasts is about creativity and how that creativity lives in the world. Ned Steinberger and Patrick Sankuer best sum up creativity, innovation, and design.
 
Ned doesn't need much of an introduction here, especially to those familiar with my work. Not only was he the subject of my book, Steinberger: A Story of Creativity and Design, but he almost single-handedly brought the guitar, bass, and bowed instruments into the 21st Century with his use of alternative materials, headless design, and player-focused ergonomics.
 
Patrick's name may not be as well-known in musical circles as Ned's, but that may soon change as his instruments made entirely of carbon fiber are showing what's possible as instrument design continues evolving. However, if you're a fan of hydroplane racing or innovative race car designs, you very likely know his work. More on that later.
 
Patrick and Ned have collaborated on the latest project from NS Design: the FIN guitars and basses. The NS design website describes the FINs as "Headless multi-scale instruments that harness the latest advances in electric guitar technology, our conventional norms of style and construction are replaced by a vision of what is possible rather than what is known, resulting in instruments with extraordinary tonal range and playability, providing exciting new opportunities for musical expression and exploration." I had the pleasure of playing the FIN prototypes at NAMM back in 2024, and I can confirm NS designs bold claim.
 
The FINs are the culmination of Ned's vision, which began nearly 50 years ago. His and Patrick's collaboration shows how creativity and passion can fuel dreams and turn them into realities.
 
For me, the surprise came when I realized just how similar Ned's and Patrick's stories are. And once again, as I keep finding while I explore creativity through music and the relationship between the two, how, once again, what on the surface may seem like an unlikely pairing couldn't be any more perfect. I hope you enjoy.

You can find out more about the FINs here. And Sankuer Composite Technologies here.

Here's the podcast: 

Proof that all three of us were in the same place (virtually) at the same time. Those are the FINs behind Ned.

Jeff Babicz and Hap Kuffner with the FIN guitar at NAMM.

You must check out Nat Navarro with the FIN bass.

Andy West was there with the first Steinberger L2 bass. He was back at NAMM in 2024 with the FIN.