Pino Saracini is professional bassist in Italy. He’s also creative guy.
While out on tour, he typically has to play synth bass in addition to his 4-string with little time for changing between instruments. To fix the issue, he came up with the Keyboard Bass, a bass with a Korg Nonokey2 USB controller built in. After designing every detail of the bass, he had it built by Huma Guitars.
The bass itself sports a korina body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. The pickups are custom made by Lindy Fralin, and overall Saracini describes the bass as being a mix of a Fender Jazz and a Gibson Thunderbird.
The Nanokey2 can control lots of programs and synthesizers through USB: Logic Mainstage, the Moog Slim Phatty, and the Moog Minitaur, to name a few. Beyond that, an adapter allows him to plug into his Apple iPad to use a plethora of mobile music apps.
Saracini says the dual-functioning instrument allows for some pretty interesting sounds, including doubling notes by tapping the strings with his left hand and playing the keyboard with his right hand. Of course, creativity comes from experimentation!
Huma Guitars Keyboard Bass Photo Gallery:
