Strings for the U8 standard tuning are now available from the store. Sets for various 8-, 10- and 12-string tunings will get added soon.

Visit us at the Musikmesse Frankfurt at Hall 4.0, Booth J33. We'll be around for the whole duration, that is from 24th - 27th of March.

Future availability of U8s: Please contact us to be put on the waiting list for the next production run. Thank you.

The U8 can now be purchased online directly from our parent company store: http://www.iapetus-store.com

Only two models left from the initial production run – Order now to secure yours at the special introductory 2009 price.

All parts on 'Joker' (except for hang drum, drums & strings) were performed on a Touch Guitars U8 model.

Markus Reuter & Ian Boddy: Joker (single edit) from Markus Reuter on Vimeo.

Released on the 15th September 'Dervish' (by Iain Boddy & Markus Reuter) is the first full-length album to feature Markus playing the U8 Touch Guitar *extensively* in both raw and sample form.

Markus also contributes extensively to Steven Wilson's ltd. edition 'Insurgents RMXS' album, which is available on both CD and a special 12" vinyl containing exclusive material. 

As production gets underway we have refined the available choice of U8 colours, expanding our original list and incorporating several metallic finishes:

* Cherry (stain) as per Markus Reuter’s original prototype

* 2-Tone Sunburst (dark orange-black)

* Turquoise (stain)

* Sherwood Green (metallic)

* Shoreline Gold (metallic)

* Lake Placid Blue (metallic)

We will add photos of all available colours to our websites in due course.

Anyone interested in purchasing from the initial production run should make contact to reserve a guitar. A 7% discount is available to early-bird customers.

Join us over at the official Touch Guitars® Facebook Page for regular updates and activity, including photos, testimonials, press coverage, and related audio/visual links.

Key headlines are also announced via our Twitter feed.

We are delighted to announce the first phased rollout of Touch Guitars ® for 2009.

Since quietly launching the website late last year with little supplementary marketing we have been inundated with enquiries and supportive feedback.

Touch Guitars founder & designer Markus Reuter had for some years envisaged a new class of touch-style/tapping instruments, and with the assistance of renowned guitar builder Ed Reynolds 12 months ago that concept became a reality with the U8 prototype; a guitar infused with over 15 years of professional playing experience.

During extensive road testing Markus received consistently high praise from both his professional peers and audience alike regarding the versatile sound and overall craftsmanship. Nonetheless he recognised a need for several minor revisions that would collectively enhance the instrument’s overall efficiency, making the U8 the definitive Touch Guitar.

For months Markus worked closely on the modifications with assistant Ed Reynolds who brings a wealth of experience to the project.  Ed is a consultant to both Collings Guitars, and Lakland Basses, and performs major repairs for Eric Johnson and Roscoe Beck, amongst others.

Markus and Ed are confident that the commercial model is the absolute best it can be, and that the U8 has truly arrived.

* New wider custom pickups, produced by Bartolini for enhanced sound.

The guitars are available in the following colour options:

* Cherry (stain) as per Markus’s original prototype

* 2-Tone Sunburst (dark orange-black)

* Turquoise (stain)

* Sherwood Green (metallic)

To secure one of the first U8 Touch Guitars please e-mail us via the Contact/Orders page including your location and full contact details. We will contact all customers to confirm orders. A 50% deposit will be payable upon confirmation.

Incidentally we also plan to introduce a number of quality custom Touch Guitars accessories, including gig bags. Further information will be published in due course.