From Guitar World · · 1m 20s
Blues fingerstyle player Amit Dattani adapts guitar after nerve condition
Amit Dattani's custom guitar helps him continue playing despite a degenerative nerve condition
In brief
Amit Dattani's custom guitar helps him continue playing despite a degenerative nerve condition Custom electric guitar enables Dattani to play despite nerve condition limiting hand function Originally reported by Guitar World.
Fingerstyle roots
Amit Dattani grew up listening to blues masters like Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy but was inspired by Blind Blake, Mississippi John Hurt and Elizabeth Cotten's fingerstyle techniques.
“Hearing them cover so many bases with their fingers blew my mind wide open”
Nerve condition diagnosis
In 2018, Dattani was diagnosed with a genetic degenerative nerve condition affecting his hands and feet, with a prognosis of two years of playing left.
“The prognosis was I'd have two years of playing left in me before the batteries in my hands ran out”
Custom electric guitar
Dattani collaborated with Hammett Guitar Co to create a custom Astro Strat with lower string tension and flatter angle for his picking hand.
“It has single-handedly helped me carry on playing”
Electric connection
Dattani recorded his album live with drummer Steph Sanders using a Tone King Imperial amp for a stripped-back, energetic sound.
“Stepping into the electric space as a fingerstyle acoustic player has been so fun”
Thumbpick technique
Dattani uses a tiny thumbpick blade that he files down to be an extension of his thumbnail for cleaner, more articulate playing.
“I file it right down so it's more like an extension to my thumbnail”
Album highlights
The album features a semi-improvised take on Just a Closer Walk With Thee and the title track Now I Can Play On, which celebrates his ability to continue playing.
“Now I Can Play On is an ode to my guitar and literally being able to play on”
Guitar journey
Dattani's custom Astro Strat, a hollowbody electric inspired by old Harmony Stratotones, has enabled him to play despite his nerve condition.
“It's a hollowbody electric fashioned after the old Harmony Stratotones”
The key point
Custom electric guitar enables Dattani to play despite nerve condition limiting hand function
