MuffinPunch

Hello all! And sorry for leaving you all high and dry for so long. I just wanted to get back on here and update this thread really quick with the life altering news that I will be resuming work on this project starting tomorrow! Ive been at my current job for a while now and I feel I have achieved sufficient seniority to feel eligible to use the facilities after hours to build more guitars. Also, I wanted to ensure that this thread remained active since appearently these all have an expiriation date once nobody posts anything for a while. (My Tabar Zin thread got deleted. Im going to finish that one too!) Anyway, stay tuned!

You don't legally "need" a business plan. However, you don't need to wear a cup to play in a baseball game either but we've all seen how that one works out. Write a business plan. After a few months, when your head starts spinning, break out your business plan, read it outloud and it'll put things back into perspective. You'll understand what that means in a few months. Good Luck. This was more in reference to the license than the plan... I dont even know how to go about writing a business plan or what that is! I just want to build guitars. The main reason for selling them is to be able build more guitars! Having a bunch of extra income wouldn't hurt, but its certainly not my primary motivation.

I love how this topic became an outlet to quote motivational cliches. All very valid advice though! Thank you all. If anyone has any specific advice as to how to go about building a guitar business from scratch beyond what has already been shared id be extremely eager to hear that as well.

Solid advice RAD. Coming from one of the most admirable builders I know on this forum, Ill definitely take it to heart. I know what you're saying about the market being flooded, which is why I thought it might be a good approach to make bodies and necks and sell them as a "kit". Currently, the only bodies and necks for sale I've come across are licensed classic styles: Strats and Teles mostly, with the occasional SG or Les Paul, etc. I want to offer the user something that can't be found at a typical guitar shop without having to commission a high dollar custom builder. Unique body styles and headstock designs without being obnoxious, finished or unfinished and ready to be equipped with whatever hardware and electronics the end user wants. If there is a market for that, I want to find it. If not, like you said, at least Ill have some fun finding that out. I get what you mean about a business plan and license, but I hoped it wouldn't be an issue considering the microscopic scale of my operation (at least for the first good while). But if lawfully I need one in order to sell anything, than obviously it goes without saying. I figured Ebay would be my friend until I figured out my own business plan. Does anyone else have any gems of wisdom they wouldn't mind sharing?

Hello all, Its been a while since I've made my presence known here, but I have been around. I lost the ability to build for some time due to not having access to tools, workspace, etc. But Im back in action and hoping to hone and use my acquired skills to make the world a better place. Ha! I really want to start making and selling custom designed guitar bodies and necks finished or otherwise, and the occasional complete guitar, but I am not really sure what would be the best avenue to take, or how to get my name out there. I am a professional vehicle designer by trade and work full time at Polaris Industries, so this would be and after hours "job" for a supplementary income. I am by no means under the delusion that I can become a professional guitar builder full-time. I more than anything want a way to finance my hobby of woodworking and help ease the crushing financial burden of student loans. I have a few of my own body and headstock designs that have proven successful on an aesthetic level if nothing else, and one conceptual construction method that has proven successful on a prototypical level, but I plan to keep that one in my back pocket for a while. For the time being, providing unique and well thought out variations on the already proven super-strat platform seems like the way to go. To all of you inspiring builders out there who actually build lines or one-off custom guitars for clients and customers: Whats the best and simplest way to get started? I don't have a lot of capital to work with, but I do have tools, and skills, and a relatively good supplier for materials (i.e.wood). I also know an amazing musician to potentially endorse the product. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks.

Rest assured, I have not forgotten about this thread and as soon as I get a chance, I'll be updating with more progress. I want to look into silk screening the top before clear rather than printing a vinyl sticker or something like that, but that is still far away so just be patient. Up the Irons!!!

Sorry to be a disappointment to everyone, but I haven't touched this project since I last posted. In fact the half routed bodies are sitting in storage along with the unshaped necks... I have been Uber busy as of late and having just finished school in Dec and starting a new job I just haven't had a spare minute to devote to this. Unfortunately now I no longer have access to the shop at school so anything I have to do now will have to happen on the porch of my new apartment. That meant power tools are out probably. I'd like to get back on this and my other projects Once things settle down a bit. I'll keep you guys posted.

Menap

Sorry if I came off defensive. You can understand why I might have assumed you were attacking me given our "history". I appreciate it all the same. I've been taught not only how to look at all aspects of design with a critical eye, but also to defend my designs when others do the same to my work. I see what you mean though. I'll have to go back and check those links with an open mind and see what goodies I can take away from them. Thanks man.

I had a chance to get a pro photo session with the 7 yesterday... Here are the results:

As always, thanks for your concern and advice. The links you posted are pretty cool, tho I fail to see the relevance of the two patents you included as they are about as similar to my guitar as a bolt-on SG is to a Strat IMO. As far as "using EMG's logo and brand name with no permission", I got in contact with EMG prior to selecting pickups in hopes that they would "sponsor" my education by donating a set of pups and notified them I would be "branding" my project as an EMG, so they are aware of it and have no qualms. Unfortunately, and as expected, they weren't able to help out any. On another note, its standard practice in design school to choose a brand for any project prior to development and there's no requirement to obtain permission from the company. This is a well known procedure. Besides, Its not like Ill be marketing and selling this guitar as an EMG product. If I decide to further develop this idea in the future, I will not restrict it to only fit EMGs, nor will I only make 7 string guitars. I still realize the "interchangeable" guitar has been done before, this project is just another way to do it. You may have noticed that there are many ways to reach the same goal... Thanks for the compliments bruva!

i think EMG could do so - all the evidence they need to prove it belongs to them is in the photo I would take that as a compliment then sue tier pants off! I've got enough eye witnesses as school who are heavy players in the design industry that would back me up.

Haha! There's a good possibility of that happening, though i will be in Minneapolis. Thanks for the compliment.

And a few more: Unfortunately, all of the process pics of the finish were lost when my phone was stolen last week. But the result turned out quite nice I think. It could use some finish wet sanding to remove a couple of little dust particles that found there way into the spray booth, and the fretboard needs a bit more love. Ill be working on that shortly.

Its been a long while since I posted anything on here. At least it seams to me that way. I finally finished school last Saturday so I have some time to spend doing "leisure" activities for a few weeks. Anyway, I finally finished the guitar for my senior show... I didnt ever end up getting in contact with a rep from HR Giger so I went with a simple solid gloss black finish. Im not completely satisfied with it just yet but its to a point where I can call it complete. The EMG-HZ7 pups really suck, but they do their job for the moment. I didnt get a chance to work out the trick wiring, so its not really "modular" right now, but thats all stuff I have time to work on now. This finish ad assembly were more for the sake of having a physical representation of my concept for the show. Here are some pix from the show: The lighting was horrible so Ill have to get some better shots this week.