Guitarist and StringStation inventor Jim Bartz started his career at the age of 21 working as an assistant engineer for the prestigious Royal Recorders in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Encouraged by studio staff to pursue his stringed recording experiments, Bartz landed a solo record deal with Larry Fast of Peter Gabriels band. Fast signed Bartz to the Audion/Passport label along with notable artists Wendy Carlos and Anthony Phillips. While completing his debut release 'Pictures of Earth & Space', Bartz invisioned a custom stringed instrument that would allow him to re-create on-stage the plush layered sound he was capturing in the studio. A few years after the albums release, he re-energized the idea in Chicago combining his engineering skills with accomplishments as a guitarist. The result is the first crude working assembly of his idea; a playable 40-stringed instrument aptly tagged the StringStation. In a life changing decision, Bartz left the pro-recording field in 2001 focusing his attention on refining his new instrument's playing techniques and at presenting it live on-stage."I had the realization that if I didn't pursue it with total focus right now, that it would always end up taking a backseat to other demands. I had to commit to it" With the StringStation, Bartz has developed a playing style that's beyond what anyone has ever experienced with just two hands and a set of strings. "It's a beautiful instrument that I feel will inspire creative people to keep exploring and discovering new sounds". says Bartz, "I'm anxious to make the debut recording in Surround Sound. It was built and designed for that. It will truly be an awesome and unique 3D experience." The StringStation is something one must experience first hand to truly understand its wonderful power. Seen in the May 2005 issue of Guitar Player Magazine

Royal Recorders- a State-of-the-Art Multi-Track digital recording studio located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This is where Bartz wrote and recorded P.O.E.A.S. while working as a staff engineer/producer. It is also the room where Bartz first had the idea for the StringStation.

Recording Engineer to Inventor :::

I was still working free lance as a recording engineer/producer (Violent Femmes - Ohio Players - BoDeans) and did several album projects for other new artists while trying to gain momentum with my new instrument idea. I was never quite able to work up my music ideas to full speed while doing others album projects. My stuff was complex and to get to that level of sound took a lot of tweak time so the StringStation stayed in the background as I made a living as an engineer. One day I was in a Chicago recording studio when I had one of those life altering realizations during a session for a radio alcohol spot for 'Country Wine Coolers'. It really blew my mind! As I sat behind the mixing desk at the session, it became clear to me that 'anyone' could be sitting in my seat turning these dials and pushing those faders ...and this commercial would be made... with or without me... but only I could make my invention of the StringStation come to life. It only exists in my head and can only be done with my hands and efforts ...but my head and hands were being hijacked by these guys selling alcohol. The magic ingredient that I needed was simply my own personal TIME... time to focus, design, build and master the playing of the instrument so I could show how awesome it could be. I could see it all clearly in my minds eye. That is when I decided it was now or never to take action! I have heard of these mid-life epiphanies happening and people just up and leave their jobs to pursue what's in their hearts and that gave me courage to do it too. I had worked very hard to become a respected recording engineer... and that was exactly what kept pulling me back to it. People wanting me to work on their projects. Months go by then years and you are still working making others music come to life while leaving your own to fade. or moreover... working just to make the rent and money to live. I didn't want to grow old looking back in regret asking myself what would've happened if I had just followed my dream to make that instrument. I am not willing to endure that regret. So here I am!

Build The StringStation :::

So I collected my thoughts over the following few months after that session, refined my crude assembly of the instrument and in early 2001 moved back to my hometown of Milwaukee. I have a few friends there who believe in and encourage me. I began to get my focus, to practice, doing complete StringStation overhauls to make it more playable and smaller like my designs, making promotional materials, performing on stage for the first times with it and writing letters to anyone who might be able to help me build a real version of the great instrument. I also applied for a patent with the help of my friend Tracy Preschat. I had a bit of money saved and some studio equipment that I could sell off if I needed some extra cash to keep going... and I've sold it all! But I did get a patent! I have determined that the way to make a great first impression with the instrument is to be able to come out and perform on it as a Master Musician...showing all sides of it and blowing people minds along the way. It's a very challenging ambition but I am getting to that point now after maintaining my commitment to progress no matter what! The money to go into prototype is elusive, but I have faith that the right time and place awaits. The instrument is a wide idea but overall it's about the creative human spirits that we all share ...with hope to see art and music beyond just money making schemes. I hope to find a sponsor who loves the instrument and the music that abounds from it and has the care and resources to help get it going in positive directions. I am committed to finding a way to make all this work and to reveal it as a beautiful new surround sound instrument. Thanks for Listening. Jim Bartz Inventor/Artist

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