MasterMinds

Well, 100 bucks for steinberger gearless........that is a hell of a lot. However, If I am not going to go for peg-less systems, then I could always add these later so no big deal there. THe look of a naked head is not awesome, it's just that pegs really aren't/shouldn't be needed. Oh well. I still haven't decided if I want a tremelo or fixed - I never use the tremelo, so for my first "version" I may go without it. Much more simplstic a design, which is really my goal. SO DOES ANYONE know much about installing a "zero fret" - any projects done here with it? I would be interested to see how it will mesh with my neck design since it's headstock has zero angle, unlike most. Later!

Their flaw is they take unique strings - that won't fly with 99% of people. Anyhow - I did find a site selling the SL tremelo system, not the fixed one yet. Now here's a question for you - let's say I build a guitar with the 24.X size right. And then I use the 25.X speed loader strings (they make both sizes). This way I could extend them past the zero fret to the real nut. Think it would work? The real nut is only less than 1 centimeter behind the nut, so perhaps this would work! Why don't I like tuners? Well, I think they're too old-fashioned, and annoying. It just doesn't make sense, and I want to go with the most modern and minimalist optons. I have found the Steinberger systems, not for sale yet and will look for this ABS one as well. I will also look at the Gearless tuners in a moment!

My biggest issue with the speedloader system is that apparently they canno tbe bought by themselves. Is this true, or are there places in hiding? Also, are their alternative systems to avoid tuning pegs - even if they aren't "speed string loading", I just dislike those damn things. It must be a system I could buy by itself. Furthermore - is it possible to do this AND have a zero fret - couldn't I likely do this with any system that doesn't have "pre-stretched" strings? Thanks.

I can't find any sources online OR in major stores for large engineer / architecture graph paper?!?

GregP - Some guitars do not use a seperate piece of wood for a fingerboard. They simply make the neck piece the "fretboard" by putting the frets directly onto that piece - this makes the neck look so much more beautiful as it is one piece of wood and not two. I prefer this look by far, it is not difficult, the calculations for the fingerboard area must be added to the dimensions of the neck piece. Here is an example: http://www.vigierguitars.com/gcatalog/GIcata/0Fret.JPG Not too mention the "zero fret" which is a must! GregP - On top of that, I did also mean no inlay markers - not even on the side of the neck. My guess is this is easier to do then to make a fingerboard, since it's less alignments.

Brian - Yes, my dad said he knows of a local wood-shop that does just that kind of thing. He said that if I drew up the plans they'd most likely do it, and I am going to go contact them. However, they will not be able to make the guitar neck as it involves some tools and ideas that they'd not be familiar with - I wouldn't trust them if they said yes anyways. I actually work at home depot, not sure we carry any of that kind of wood! I am going to call the wood-shop and see what they might have for wood, and if they would do this. I need to get full size graph paper. What do you suggest for the neck Brian? I have not found anyone selling a symmetrical headstock neck that doesn't have a pre-fingerboard attachement. Thanks!

Hi everyone. As I mentioned in my long-winded introduction, I have clearly in my mind the electric guitar that would be perfect for me. Right now I am going to upgrade my line with a nice processor, and some other items. I do not want to get another electric ever, unless it's perfect - and to be perfect it'd have to be custom. So anyways... I need to take the next step, which means I need to learn about my possibilities of having work done, and doing some myself. To me it seems that making a body is simpler and uses much more common tools than a neck. I have red about 50+ threads on this site to gather all I can - and bookmarked lots of wood companies and custom design companies. Let me tell you a little about my needs - and I will use this column to get your wonderful help. BODY The body is simple. It is symmetrical about the neck when looking at it face forward. In basic, you can imagine both sides looking like the "cutaway" side of a classic fender. With the pointy part a slight bit less rounded. It's a pretty general idea - the unique part is both sides are symmetrically identical. The line input goes through the bottom center, like an acoustic/electric - right where the arm strap hooks on My guitar will not have a volume knob or a tone knob. There are multiple options yet to be chosen 1. It will have just one pickup 2. It will have pickup and driver for a fernandes built in 3. It might also need a slot for a midi divided pickup. So in otherwords, the knobs will only need to be those for the sustainer and midi if needed I will probably go for a nice locking tremelo - possibly a speed loader if I can get it. I am considering one unique possibiliity - rather than having holes cut out for the pickups, I may have one giant hole cut out covering the whole range of where the pickups could go - this will have a small screw in trim around it which lets me move pickups at will - in otherwords the pickup slots are gutted out like a grave, allowing for any setup. I would also like to know if it's possible to put "matter" between the pickups and the string - so the pickups are not directly viewable like on a "digital" guitar. Those are the main point of the body. Mostly routing changes - and symmetry which is the reason I cannot purchase a premade body and re-route it. NECK The neck is a bit different. The headstock won't need pegs if I go with a speedloader - the headstock should also be symmetrical. I would like a neck WITHOUT a fretboard - and also it should have no fretboard inlays at all. I am considering one at the octave at most at 6 - 12 - 18. I may want it scalloped too. Those are the main considerations ---------------------------------------------- So here's my main questions. I am interested to know - since the parts are straight-forward and require no unique artistic style, rather good calculations - if anyone here could do either of these for me. I am also interested in the tools needed for doing the body, as it is more likely I could do this myself or have someone locally cut it - since the cuts are of a standard type. I know I will need a routing saw (router) and a band saw -- Do I need table for both, are their "handheld" options? I have regular saws like circular. DO you think there are any sources that could produce a symmetrical body with this shape, so that I might only need to do the routing? Do you think a neck of this type could be pre-made by any company that makes these kit pieces? I have searched and found nothing meeting all my needs Thank you guys - your knowledge is appreciated. Unlike many, my goal is to get my dream made, and not to experiment with new styles. I hope you guys can help me get there - if anyone here could produce these I would love to talk. Unfortunately I am not local to any guitar designers - I live in a far off island! Let me know if you need to know more - and I will keep providing updates and help I would love from you guys.

Well I guess that is the simplest solution. If I don't touch the tremelo than it should go much out of tune. I guess I will go with that, as I do not want to permanently change it.

I have an electric with a double locking tremelo on it. The bar on it is "broken" in some manner so it does not go up and down smoothly, not too mention I do not use the tremelo anyways. For ease, I would like to put in a standard bridge. The tremelo is a normal floyd-rose double locking; it rests on two pegs which go up and down for action height, and is pulled back with 3 springs. Anyhow, what kind of bridge (specs) do I need to use to do the least work, so I can remove the locks and have a simple bridge? Also, how difficult would it be to make my own bridge - in particular to alter the distance between each string so they do not get so large towards the bridge? Thanks for the recommendations, a link to example on musiciansfriend would help!

Hi. I have seen this place on and off for a long time. Being rather obsessive, I have searched well over 5,000+ models of guitar to find one that suited my needs/wants. It does not exist. So, there's no way I'll ever be happy unless I get a custom one made. I don't live in a very populated area right now, and so I doubt there's anyone who would be able to make it. Also, I'm not so sure how much someone would charge to make it. I find it an odd chance that I would make it myself, because it would involve a lot of work, learning, and tools I just do not have (I do have some tools for wood making, not all I would need however). So, how would you guys go about having someone make one? Is it conceavable to have someone make it without seeing it first-person? I love some of the peoples work here, and some models can get close to my interests. What are the costs involve? For the wood, and the larger tools? I will see you all around as I learn more. Here's two more questions: Anyone seen a custom made acrylic? (or non-wood) model? How about a model designed from a solid metal skeleton, with wood used for shaping rather than the skeleton itself - for instance a basic body-truss-nut skeleton with a custom wood shaping? See you around!

My guitar input cord has been flipping out lately, and now basically it doesn't even connect to the wires. I know how to fix this. Many months ago I took the TONE and VOLUME knobs on my electric and stuffed them back into the electronics chamber. I did this because my VOLUME knob was so damn close to my strings that my hand hit it all the time, and on most guitars lowering the volume knobs messes up the sound so it fades unevenly. Also, I never use either knobs because I can control these variables on my signal processing system. So all I have is my three pickups and there 5-way selector, running through the knobs which are hidden in my guitar... So, What I would like to know is: is there a feasible way I can run these wires so they go through the pickup selector as I have them, and then just go to the guitar input plug? I know in many cases doing this results in a very shitty sound and buzzing - it has to be a very nice setup, nothing that's crap. If you know it can be done, or have another idea as to what I could do let me know! I can provide, if needed, a schematic of the wirings.

Hi everyone. I am having a problem, and it's been so long I forgot the proper way to fix this. When I tune my open notes, my high notes 12th and up are slightly out of tune, except the B string which is noticeably out of tune. How should I go about fixing this when one string is doing it (the most)? I have a basic solid electric with a traditional floyd double locking vibrato.... Thank you.