5 String Guitar? Can Keith Richards be wrong?

“Ted made the five-string because I’d gotten into this tuning which is basically, you tune to open G using 5 strings in GDGBD.” Keith Richards. In 1972, Ted Newman Jones and Keith Richards designed the first 5 String electric guitar. The guitar was a mosaic Rosewood non cutaway and primitive even by Teds standards. Funny as that, it was up to Keith’s standards and in 1973, the guitar went on a European Tour. Ted discussed how he was not happy with it and that it was not the refined NEWMAN he had vision for. So, after much discussion and refinement, the guitar literally took shape over the next several years. Eventually, Ted and Keith felt comfortable with a standard approach to the instrument. In January 1980, a Blueprint was issued for replication and the 5 String Open G was a realized extension of the guitar.

44 years later, the 5 String Open G tuned electric is still being built by NEWMAN Guitars. We have persevered as a company to continue this leg of our tradition. Keith can’t be wrong and we all know the songs. Any guitar player should explore the tuning and other broad and colorful spectrums. The 5 String works for Keith. For others, it can open up doors in your songwriting and expand your guitar experience. The midrange is contagious. “You find incredible resonations and ringing notes and drone notes start to happen and therein lies the fascination” says Keith.

A 5 String guitar is unique experience for the 6 string player. Don’t miss your chance to relearn melodic landscapes and unlock you songwriting. Hear the electric guitar from a different vantage point. Can’t you hear me knocking? Jeff Smith