Veteran musician Ralph Patt played with famous big bands, did studio and broadcast work, and generally jazzed it up in the ’50s, ’60s, and early ’70s. Since then he has been working on nuclear-waste issues for the U.S. Department of Energy, but he hasn’t let it get in the way of his music.
▪ bio current as of 2002
2002
AL#72 p.36 BRB6 p.410
Jonathon Peterson Saul Koll Ralph Patt
▪ Jazz guitarist Ralph Patt and luthier Saul Koll have teamed up to make archtop 8-string electric guitars that are tuned in thirds rather than standard tuning. The guitars look a little strange because there is no taper to the fingerboards. You’ll have to read the article to understand the thinking behind them. Watching Patt play must confuse the heck out of other guitarists. With 14 photos.