Cantareel is a new invention by Keizo Ishibashi, the developer of Logic Wave, in 2025.

Now, the violin is the most famous of all the stringed instruments that produce sound by rubbing the strings, but there are still a wide variety of instruments in the world.

For example, there is the hurdy-gurdy, an ancient musical instrument that originated in Europe before the 11th century.
The Cantareel is strictly a different principle attachment, as it does not directly rub the strings with the wheel, but rather uses the wheel as a power source to move loops that touches the strings.

Anyway, it can be said that the Cantareel was born because of the hurdy-gurdy, a product of history.
In other words, the Cantareel is a renaissance that pays respect to the wisdom and history of our predecessors and revitalizes them with modern ideas and technology.

It is perhaps because of this background that we feel both “newness” and “nostalgia” toward Cantareel at the same time.

The name was created by combining Cantare (Italian for “singing”) and Reel (a tool for winding film or tape).
It expresses the enjoyment of turning the handle and playing as if singing.

In most cases, regular guitar strings work well.
However, coated strings (such as Elixir) have low friction and may not respond well, so they are not recommended.

If you want more reliable and easier sound production, consider the following options:

[ For acoustic guitars ]
Replacing strings 3rd–5th (the wound strings) with cello strings 1st–3rd often provides more consistent friction and improves bow response.
Note: Cello strings are not designed for guitars, so some adjustment may be required when installing them. A compatible attachment will be available in the future.

[ For classical guitars ]
Using higher-tension strings generally makes it easier to produce a stable sound.

We recommend using dark-colored rosin for Cantareel, but dark rosin does not perform well in high temperature and humidity environments. Store rosin in a cool place. Using light-colored rosin only during the summer is also an option.

If there is still no sound even though everything is set up correctly, the following causes are likely:

1. The strings and rosin are not a good match
2. Not enough rosin has been applied
3. Oil or skin grease on the loop, the strings, or the unit is causing them to slip


Please check these points in order.

If you used lemon oil or polish to remove oil or residue,
do not apply rosin until everything is completely dry (at least half a day).

Using the included plate to raise the height of the Cantareel does indeed increase the tension on the loops. However, increased loops tension does not necessarily mean increased volume.

In fact, excessive tension can cause damage. Only use the plate to raise the height when the wheel is touching the strings.

If you want to produce a louder sound, experiment with how you apply the rosin.

To produce a rich tone, turn the handle with a steady, consistent speed—preferably slowly.

Turning it too fast or at an uneven pace will cause the rosin to melt, leading to slippage.

First, develop the habit of turning it steadily at the minimum necessary speed.

Since the Cantareel is mounted directly on the guitar's body surface, noise may occur depending on its compatibility with the guitar and its installation point.

・Increase the tension of the 6th and 1st strings and secure them firmly.
・Attach anti-vibration cushions to the bottom of the Cantareel legs.

The sound of Cantareel can subtly change depending not only on the condition of the strings and rosin, but also on temperature and humidity. Because of this, achieving exactly the same tone every day may be difficult.

But that’s also part of what makes Cantareel special.
Embrace the daily variations, and enjoy a dialogue with your sound.
Each day brings a unique resonance, a one-of-a-kind story waiting to be told.

It is possible to play more than five strings if they are secured in some way without hooks.
However, in that case, at least three loops are needed, and the pressure on the strings will be unstable because of the angle.

Also, if all six strings are played, the sound becomes muddy and the melody is often buried.

We did not abandon the 6th and 1st strings by choice, but rather made a proactive choice to prevent excessive resonance and to serve as a stabilizer.

Note that the 6th and 1st strings cannot be played as rubbing strings, but they can function as resonant strings and can be played by pizzicato.

Loops, like strings, are consumables, but do not need to be changed very often.

Replace them if they break or stretch in any way.

Otherwise, depending on how often you play, it is recommended to replace them every six months or so.