NickCormier Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 I was wondering if there is anyone around here that can do a custom guitar job! I am looking for this to be built, but I have no wood working experiance, and no tools.. I found a dude who can do a nice neck for me, just wont have some of the options I want, but it does have afew that are very important to me, its a real tradeoff lol.. Anyways, if anyone is a professional builder or would wanna try to help me do this for cheap, I would be greatful =] Specs: Wood: Alder body, Maple neckthru Body : Modified Jackson Death Kelly, with an upper horn Neck headstock : Reverse Jackson normal Neck joint : Neck-thru Top : Blue quilted maple Pups : 2 Humbuckers, with pickup rings (planning on buying two Duncan DMLWs) Bridge : Edge lo-pro (black) Volume + tone knobs, both chrome/blue pearl tops (Qparts) 3way Mini toggle switch Stomach Contour on the back Blue pearl rear covers (terrapinguitars.com makes nice ones) The neck specs are the most important part for me, the above (other than the body shape/routes) is something I can do myself, but the neck is the most important Jumbo frets Rosewood fretboard Wizard I Contour back (Most important part) 25.5 scale 25 frets (24 working, 25th half-hanging) 21 to 24 possibly scalloped (not too important, but would be nice) White neck binding My custom inlays (Quoted for $100 at custominlays.com thru another neck builder, so $200-300 max) The inlays are simple, basically star inlays and a "sun" at the 12th fret Hopefully anyone could tell me a general price range that isnt too bad, and if it is to my liking, I will consider doing business with you! Thanks for your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stickmangumby Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 I can't help you out, but people are going to want to know where you're located. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Honestly, what general price range are you looking for? If you're thinking you can get it done for cheaper or even for the same price as a USA Jackson, think again, hard. Take a peek at LGM Guitars' website (Jeremy) or Perry (Ormsby)'s, who are the two I'd nominate for being more in the 'pointy guitar' field (David Myka's work is fabulous, but his 'standard' style isn't so much with the pointy guitar, although I think he's done a few). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Well, if you have the bucks to burn, okay. But it's not that difficult to build a body...why not give it a go? You'll need is a router (doesn't have to be fancy) with good bits, especially bearing bits (Stewmac has them and they're not overly expensive). A router plus a bit of patience will get you the guitar you want...that's what this forum is for, after all. I started out with no woodworking experience too...just last year...and there's nothing like playing your own guitar. If you really insist on a custom guitar, there are tons of luthiers and guitar-builders on the web, shouldn't be hard to find one near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickCormier Posted February 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 yea I was really thinking of doing it all myself, but im afraid ill mess up like intonation and stuff, and make it look friggin nice but play like ****.. I emailed LGM and sadly, due to their new shop location and such, they are not taking custom orders right now, and I think I emailed the other guy afew months ago, but I think the prices were like $3000 or such, which if thats the case, I will just spend the $1000 on raw materials myself and wish for the best =[ Im not looking to go over $2000, because I am not exactly the richest guy ever lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 yea I was really thinking of doing it all myself, but im afraid ill mess up like intonation and stuff, and make it look friggin nice but play like ****.. I emailed LGM and sadly, due to their new shop location and such, they are not taking custom orders right now, and I think I emailed the other guy afew months ago, but I think the prices were like $3000 or such, which if thats the case, I will just spend the $1000 on raw materials myself and wish for the best =[ Im not looking to go over $2000, because I am not exactly the richest guy ever lol Are those Australian dollars? My guitar cost me less than $200 euros to build (price just went up though, now that I've replaced one of the pickups with a real Rickenbacker). It's a great guitar, best I own. Well, my current favorite, anyway. Getting the intonation right isn't a big deal --it's a matter of proper measurement, and there are plenty of resources to help you with that. My biggest worry was getting the neck pocket straight --that problem was solved when I discovered the joys of using a laser... Really, the most important thing I learned was to be patient --take your time, figure out how to do what needs to be done, practice, read, etc. In the end, you're going to have a guitar that's much more satisfying to build. Not that I'm trying to take away custom from LGM or anyone else. If you really want a pro quality guitar (especially in the finish), go to someone like LGM. If you don't mind a few warts, as long as the guitar plays properly, go down to the hardware store and start pricing tools... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Irizarry Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Getting the intonation right isn't a big deal --it's a matter of proper measurement, and there are plenty of resources to help you with that. My biggest worry was getting the neck pocket straight --that problem was solved when I discovered the joys of using a laser... Really, the most important thing I learned was to be patient --take your time, figure out how to do what needs to be done, practice, read, etc. In the end, you're going to have a guitar that's much more satisfying to build. Not that I'm trying to take away custom from LGM or anyone else. If you really want a pro quality guitar (especially in the finish), go to someone like LGM. If you don't mind a few warts, as long as the guitar plays properly, go down to the hardware store and start pricing tools... Just wanted to thank you for the encouraging words. I'm new to the forum and I'm also considering taking a shot at building a guitar. I'm thinking headless - I own a Hohner headless and I've been fascinated by the Klein electric for its ergonomics. Right now, its more in the dreaming/planning stage. Fortunately, I discovered Project Guitar which has been an incredible source of information. Rob Irizarry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff Beer Man Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 I say go for it dude, get melvin hiscocks book though, its a definate for any guitar starter. The cool thing bout building your own, is u have controll over everything, instead of just telling someone and hoping for the best it comes out how u want it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Maybe-Soulmate GOTM-Winner, and have heard good things about his work from other members. Peace,Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughes Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 building a guitar has probably been the most fun, and best thing ive did with my time in school. go for it man, you will enjoy it alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 Maybe-Soulmate GOTM-Winner, and have heard good things about his work from other members. Peace,Rich Yeah, he'd inquired about a neck some time ago. I was under the assumption he wanted to build the guitar himself though, and like others on this thread I think it's a fine idea as well. Maybe, Nick, you could get the guitar partially made too. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickCormier Posted February 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Yea. I do want the guitar built by myself, but im REALLY scared of messing up playability and intonation.. to the point im considering spending twice the overall cost just to have it done "right" If I do go for the neck-thru blank and make the guitar myself though, You're the first place im going to, Doug.. Its all a long time away though, I recently found a KE-1 so paying for that is more important at the moment, but come summer time, I will get started on this project Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 Don't be scared, just be patient. It's all in the measuring and re-measuring. And like I said, if you have a laser (I paid 10 euros for mine) it makes it a lot easier. While you're waiting to get started on the project itself, you can spend time practicing--mostly you want to learn how to control a router. By the time you get to your project, the risk of seriously screwing things up will be greatly minimized, really. But I understand all about being nervous. Took me three weeks to get my neck pocket done! Ultimately though, it's just wood. If you screw it up, you can always start again. Paying for a custom guitar doesn't make sense in your case, since your dream seems to be to make the guitar yourself. Go for your dream, don't take the easy (and more expensive) way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickCormier Posted February 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 eh.. I am getting a neckthru blank (if I do it myself) so I wont have to worry about the neck pocket, the thing im mainly worried about is the routing of the edge pro, so that intonation is correct.. and then the pickups and etc is not too hard im assuming.. I dunno maybe I will do it someday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug Posted February 20, 2006 Report Share Posted February 20, 2006 One advantage of a set neck in this case would be the option of building a mock-up. You could use something like cheap basswood to make a test body, including the neck pocket, and test the bridge rout too. Hold the neck in place with a clamp because you only need the 2 outside strings anyway. If you screw up, well you have $15 firewood, instead of risking a neck through blank. Something to consider anyway. -Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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