Progressive guitarist Jim Bartz accidentally knocked two different guitars together while experimenting with new sounds in the studio where he worked. The sound emitted from those two guitars was unlike any other and inspired him to craft an instrument to recreate the amazing sound.

The StringStation was born.

Bartz, along with drummer John Calarco, will present a concert played on his invention at 8 p.m. today at The Miramar Theatre.

Bartz took the idea that spawned from an accident to create an instrument that fuses five guitar arms and various digital controllers to create a futuristic instrument.

Bartz is a local guitarist and recording engineer who was discovered by Larry "Synergy" Fast, an electronic music pioneer who has worked with many musicians, including Peter Gabriel. Fast signed Bartz to Passport Records to record a guitar album.

That's when Bartz decided he wanted Fast to hear his idea.

"I was eager to please Larry," he said. "I was anxious to introduce (the StringStation) to him."

Bartz's connection with Fast validated his idea of the StringStation and assured him that going forth with the idea would be feasible, Bartz said.

But it wasn't just his talent for guitar that allowed him to bring the idea to life, he said.

"If I wasn't a recording engineer, I wouldn't have put this together," he said.

The instrument, though one, is intended to sound like many. With five arms, digital controls, and a player's two hands, the StringStation can be tuned in an infinite amount of ways to create a sound to the player's liking.

When played, the instrument emits a sound so eclectic it sounds like several instruments are playing at once.

No synthesizers, speakers or other devices are attached to the instrument during a performance, allowing all sound to flow freely from the instrument.

Bartz made clear he didn't build the StringStation to market it, but to create a new sound of music that can be utilized in the future and inspire innovators.

"It's hard to gauge really what could happen with (the StringStation) in the future," Bartz said. "I just want to show people that not all instruments have been invented yet."

He would like to see it manufactured someday, he said. He has recently obtained a patent on the instrument, which will open up opportunities to market it, he said.

Bartz also plans on recording an album with the StringStation once he finds a solid group to work with, he said.

Bartz thinks the direction in which the instrument will go will be determined once the recording starts.

"What'll become of this instrument will happen in the studio," he said.

Bartz will perform a concert with the StringStation at 8 p.m. today at The Miramar Theatre, 2844 N. Oakland Ave. Tickets are $8 at the door. More information is available by calling 967-0302.