PhoenixCreations

Alright, Thanks for all the great information guys, you've really helped, I think I am going to go with a set of PAF classics, as previously said, if he hates 'em, he probably has 15 extra sets of EMGs laying around, so no big deal, if he loves them, awesome. No way to lose, really. Plus it'll give him something different that he can really make sing. Thanks again guys! Michael

Okay, I really like the idea of using the DiMarzio PAF Classics, and think I'm going to try it, he is is love with leads, so this would be a great gift for him. My next question is, where should the pickups be placed? Should I look into getting a DiMarzio Evo for the neck and a PAF Classic for the bridge? Should I stick with two classics? I don't know much about pickup placements (I deal in basses primarily) What are the advantages of the different pickup locations? Thanks again. Michael another question: Passive vs. Active. I know the technical differences, but what are the advantages of either? I've been wondering this for awhile. Maybe I should start a new thread about it, but someone probably already asked this question so I'll keep it here. I tried searching, but couldn't find what I'm looking for, so if it's already been asked, feel free to refer me there, or just call me an idiot and tell me to look harder, that works too. (hard work never killed anyone... except elvis) Michael

Wow, masecraft looks like a really good place. And this recon stone, I like it. Definantly has is place, I mean pearl is needed for certain projects, but I think I'll definantly get more use out of this stuff. btw. I only see one with the "/w matrix" but it looks gorgeous. Thanks for the tip! Michael Oh, and your inlay looks beautiful (almost forgot what this thread was about)

well, I just re-read some of the posts, and realized I can answer a few of the questions now: I'm not sure the cab, but the head he uses is either a triple rectifier, or some kind of marshall (top of the line I'd have to assume, marshall heads all look the same to me), He owns both and uses them both. I know he has a few cabs, and usually plays with a 4.12, but as before stated, unsure of the brand, wattage, ohms, etc. He plays Melodic Death Metal (I'm sure even he doesn't truly know what that means, but that's what they call it.) It's black metal without the keyboard and death metal without the blast beats, if you want to hear some of their stuff, to get an extremely accurate feel for what he plays, heres the site: Seared Their webpage is currently... crappy, so they're using myspace, but there's three songs on there, all off their new album (released march 2nd... the day I joined!) the effects I'll have to ask him about, but if you can pick it out of the music I've provided that saves us all a step. Either way he will be asked, and his response will be provided, so don't ponder too hard over it. ... there was something else... OH! Okay, he likes EMGs, a lot, has seven guitars. But that's why I want to get him something different, something special. Something that doesn't sound like every other guitar he owns. Something unique. -nods- I just practically repeated myself a bunch of times. YAY. sorry, I work night shift and post in the mornings, so... I'm tired. BYE! Michael

well, I plan on talking to him in a few minutes, so I'll ask all of these awesome questions. btw, opeth is his favorite band (mine too, actually I just got home from work, and was listening to them in the car, God, I love opeth.) thanks for all of the imput, I'll get back to you soon. And, as for the guitar question, I haven't made any myself yet, I've been doing repairs for a few years on and off, but when I came across this site a few weeks back, I knew my calling. I could get a couple pictures of my repair works and put them all on here, most are consisting of stripping the paint, arting it up, replacing the hardware and putting emgs in basses. (I also am a major fan of EMGs, but I play bass, and I love the sterile, yet emotional sound it offers when used correctly) Somehow I manage to take really cheap basses and make a good money off of it. For the most part, on ebay, if someone sees the letters "EMG equipped" and like the art, I end up making tons of money, but honestly I don't really do it for the money, just a love for the guitar, so when I discovered I could make guitars, it gives such more meaning and personality to what I'm doing, instead of just scraping off someone else's love and hard work to replace it with my own. Michael

that was a quick response. Evolutions, huh? who makes them? well... I'm sure I can find out. thanks, Michael

okay, I'm surprising my friend with a guitar, and I need to know the best pickups for him. I know emgs are top of the line, but I fear they may be too sterile of a sound, plus he already has 7 guitars with emgs, any ideas? Thanks. Michael postscript, don't forget to mention what about the pickup makes them so rocking, what quality puts them above the rest!

Beautiful guitar, Beautiful sound. What are you doing talking to us? You should be out making millions. ... I'm flattered. Amazing work, truly. Michael

Did you know Chuck Norris was the fourth wise man? He gave Jesus the gift of Beard, but the other wise men were jealous because Jesus wore it all his life, so they waited until Chuck Norris died, and wrote him out of the bible. They all died three days later due to Round-house-related deaths. If you're not looking for anything extraordinary, stewmac would be your best bet, it's cheap, effective, and you get a boat load of the stuff. Michael

okay, thanks on the wood info, how do I know if an exotic wood is going to be a good tone wood or not? or does it not really matter? thanks again Michael

don't mean to be a stickler, especially considering I'm new and have nothing relevant to add to the thread (mainly because I'm new), but since I caught it before the mods, I believe the rule is one picture per post, unless a tutorial, in which case it's ten. so I figured I'd give you a heads up that the mods are coming.. RUN! michael. no offense meant. -big smile-

well, I've ordered "make your own electric guitar" by melyvn hiscock, which seems to be a resounding 5 out of 5. So I ordered it, I'm looking at prices for the more expensive tools right now, band saw, jig saw, I need a planer, a drum sander seems to be a nessecity (sp?) but if you have any other suggestions, looks like I need a drill press, palm sander, router, lots of straight edges, lots of time, lots of patience, and lots of love. which all are readily avaliable, (by readily, I mean after my girlfriend and I take care of the rest of her debt), but all very do-able, which do I need over the rest? which can I go without (dremel, apparently)? Which are the hardest to find and I should look for first? Really, the biggest question that's running through my head is wood, what qualities are associated with what woods? what qualities am I most concerned with? (more of a question I should ask myself, but still an important one) Okay, enough beating around the bush. I'm willing to spend money. lots of money. What's the best wood? The look I am going for, is the neckthru, being three peices, the center being dark, possibly wenge, the two outers being a lighter color, possibly maple? alder? dont know. The rest of the body being something dark again... something... I don't know. Gorgeous. I'm looking for a three-tone color scheme, but if wenge is the best wood for the body, then I'm not going to hesitate buying it. You're right, I need practice, lots of it. I should focus on getting the machines and learning to use them, I'm pretty familiar with band saw and dremels, used them at a previous job, almost primarily. Everything else all takes me back to highschool, so I need more practice, so tools come first, wood to practice on second, design, design, design comes third, then design comes forth, thinking fifth, template sixth, looking at wood seventh, designing 8th, buying wood ninth, designing tenth, then possibly I can start my project. wait, start is the wrong word, I've started it already, built it already in my head, Finally I get to create my project. Is there anything I've left out in the pre-cut stages? let me know if I have. please. Thank you guys again for everything, helping me realize a dream I've have for a long time. Thank you. Michael

Okay, I recently purchased a David Eden 2.10 xlt, and I am looking to purchase an Eden 4.10XLT, what Amp Heads would go best with it... and why? I'm clueless to the point of not knowing what an Ohm is, and what it does... I know they come by the 4, and 8. and that my 2.10 takes 350 watts at 8 ohms. What head is best with that? hope that all made sense, if it didn't, let me know, I'll try to explain more clear. thanks! Michael

wow, beautifully done, I particularily enjoy the arrow in the headstock. Brilliant. But, I ask the big question... how does it sound? Have you created a massive wall ornament? I certainly hope not, with all that work. Either way, it truly is a work of art, I applaud you. Michael

yes! trussrods come in very handy. I wonder how long it took the original creators of the guitar to figure that out? -shrug- something to wonder. Michael

It's not actually my band, but I'm their Public Representative, I deal with merch sales, get the crowd riled up, and I'm amazing friends with all of these guys, I just got back from one of their concerts tonight, actually, it was their CD release, their first full length called "New Breed of Nothing" you can find us at the Seared Webpage It's metal. influences from guys like In Flames, to Opeth, we have three songs on the website, our site is down right now, so we're going through myspace right now, but we do indeed have three songs availiable for listening. If you're interested in a CD, (one of them new shnazzy full-lengths) just give me a PM, they're 8 bucks, I might be able to lower the deal for you, but I'll have to talk to people first, but 8 bucks is no bad price. enjoy, it's glorious! Michael

okay, thanks, the stewmac thing was a big question, I suppose I could've googled it, but I didn't think of the question until I was posting. thanks again I guess I should share some information about what I want, so you guys know a bit more what information to share. I want a natural finish, so no paint. Neck thru, four string, active electronics (probably shoot for EMGs), I want the best wood possible, if there's anything here I'm cutting corners on, it IS NOT the body wood. So all the information you can give me on wood, would be so much appreciated, I've been looking at prices online and everything seems reasonable, so that shouldn't be a problem. I've been looking for what body type I want, and the closest thing I've found is a Dean Rhapsody, it's not quite what I want, but I like the... "wings"? I've been picking up some of the lingo, are the wings the part of the body that go up and around the neck? I've always referred to them as arms, ANYWAY. back on subject, I want those wings, with a back end like a BC rich virgin, pointy, but not quite as wide. more of a sloping back from the arms, wings whatever. I'm still working on a design, but I like both those qualities, just having trouble making them work together, I'll figure out something. .... okay I just spent 10 minutes on a coherent drwinag of my body, this is what I want: Well, It's very late and I'm having trouble getting the picture thing to work, I'm sure it's user error, so I'll figure it out another time, but I've got the picture on the comp, so you'll see it in the next post. I would like to use a darker wood for the body and a lighter color wood for the neck and the neck thru, maybe with a piece of wenge in the middle to give a three-color thing going on. that'd be cool. Anyways, feedback, ideas, more information that I desperately need, let's hear it guys, lay it on. Michael again

as a someone new to the luthier game, I must say. This thread, as well as the rest of the site, has been so extremely helpful. and I thank you all. I have one thing to add 1/ wear ear protection, something that blocks A LOT of sound, if the phone rings, you don't hear it, the dog barks, you don't hear it... and this is why: Distraction is the tool of Satan. I will say it again. DISTRACTION IS THE TOOL OF SATAN stay focused, if your mind wanders, so will your project, if you're routing and the doorbell dings, so will your project. Stay focused, stay safe Thanks again guys! Michael

Okay, here's the deal... I want above all else to make a neck-thru bass guitar. I've wanted to for some time, a long time, really... and thank God, I found this AMAZING site. I must say, above all else, this site has taught me that it is possible. So... I AM READY. Before I get to the questions, I'll let you know my background, I've been tearing apart guitars for a long time, infact I've recently started to take crappy old instruments and fixed them up, stripped off their paint, and done some artwork and resold for lots, so I'm not completed ignorant, I'm just massively Ignorant. I've found a lot of information on this site, but it's so much work trying to keep track of what information I need, where it is, who said it. When it's all buried four pages into a thread. So, I ask you. What do I need? this is a list a questions, and answers to questions that I have compiled. Please be patient, I'm new to this so I will have more questions as we work through this process. Stewmac, heard it many times, sells tools, is there a website? Books, heard a few names, many repeated, what books are most important? I need tools, Dremmel's are great, and will be my first purchase, what other tools do I need? (I'm willing to spend money, but not break the bank) I need wood. I like the sound of using alder, I like it alot. I don't like quilted maple, it's good for some things... a lot of things... but not for me. What woods should I be looking at, what are the advantages? I'm most worried about the neck/headstock/fretboard part of this operation, but I fear not, I'm ready and willing to learn. Please, teach me. ... uh, I'm out of stuff to talk about, so if I left anything out, tell me, if you can answer my question, answer. if you can't but have questions of your own, this thread is not just about me, I'd be so happy if I'm not the only one learning something here. So please... shoot away. Michael, PhoenixCreations