Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FELINEGUITARS on February 25, 2010, 12:48:52 AM
-
Those of you who have seen our range will know that we have made a model that we have called The Panther for years - in fact the first one I made back in 1990.
Here are a few random images of it :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/BLONDEpanther.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/WHITEpanther.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/purplepanther.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/redpanther.jpg)
I have made a few hard tail versions of it over the years and chosen to make a few of them a bit thinner (I recall having one on my stand at Music Live back in 1999.
However we have been asked a number of times if we would make them with a natural oil finish - sort of stripped back to basics - similar to how Organic and Black machine do.
I get to see & photograph an awful lot of Black Machines, so I am no stranger to the aesthetic and clean lines of that guitar and appreciate how fun they are to play.
So it's an easy change to make on our Panther to do a stripped down variant.
So here is the first prototype of this model - something we are choosing to call "Pantera"
It has a thin swamp ash body - 36mm thick
Guitar weighs in at 7lbs
3 piece maple neck with a rosewood board - 22 x Dunlop 6000 frets
All access neck joint with recessed neck fixings.
Sperzel machineheads, Earvana nut, Gotoh bridge (for now), CTS pots, Vitamin Q capacitor on tone control
Switchcraft jack in electrosocket recessed jack plate
Pickups are Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups with cool black covers
Pictures below show guitar before the body is oil finished and a logo and some lacquer on the headstock
I am enjoying playing it a lot , but I suppose I should strip it down and finish it off.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera2.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera3.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera4.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera1.jpg)
-
Looks great Jonathan. I'm getting more and more into straight forward, stripped down, workin' man's rawk axes.
-
I think you made a very nice design over the superstrat... Seems that it's easy but it's always hard to find the right proportion of "horns" and "curves"... You did a great job!
-
I am going to come across as a sycophant but I love your guitars -they tend to be very tastefully executed. The lines of that guitar ( i.e the stripped down version) are pure. A no nonsense honest plank.
-
I would say, that guitar but with a reversed headstock would look awesome.
I can just imagine it now if I were to ever get one made for myself. Burl Maple veneer on top, big fat neck. F*** you unemployment :x
-
One interesting point with reverse headstock guitars that we have found is that you can get the string between the nut and the tuner resonating in sympathy - something that you don't usually want - especially when that open note isn't in tune with what you are playing .
The big problem is when the low tuned string has the longer string length - it becomes a tuned open string that falls within the range of the notes that you might normally play - and as such is easily coaxed into vibrating and often being heard as a note that you hadn't planned on.
In order to mute this note players often end up putting a hair band/scrunchie over the strings just behind the headstock.
Now it happens with a non reverse headstock as well but the note created in the long length of string on the high E falls outside of the frequency range of any note that you play and as such doesn't get triggered so easily.
It is also one reason that string trees on Fender type guitars are a good idea as well getting a decent break angle over the nut.
It can happen with bass guitars as well .
Usually if the player using a P or Jazz bass isn't careful about winding on enough slack string onto the tuner the A string can create a high harmonic behind the nut because the string almost jumps out of the slot when plucked open , the portion of the string behind the nut rings through the "excitation" created by plucking and it's not in tune with the open string as sounds ghastly.
Doesn't tend to happen on the D or G strings because of the string tree
-
I think you made a very nice design over the superstrat... Seems that it's easy but it's always hard to find the right proportion of "horns" and "curves"... You did a great job!
+1
I'm not a superstrat sort of chap, but that is shaping up very nice indeed.
Have you any idea yet what you'll be charging for a completed one of these?
-
Probably about £1500 inclusive of Hiscox Case etc
There will be options on BKP pickups and some customers may want dot markers on the fingerboard as well (at zero extra cost)
-
i like that a lot :D
-
That's properly nice, I really like it. If only I had £1500... :(
-
As a Panther owner (well OK, mine actually has more of an RG body shape which may or may not be why it doesn't appear on the website :(), the thing I most like about the aesthetics is the headstock shape - that headstock pitched just looks right to my eye.
In playing terms, my panther has one of the nicest necks I've ever handled with absolutely flawless fretwork & effortless playability.
I'd love to buy another one...
-
mine actually has more of an RG body shape which may or may not be why it doesn't appear on the website :(
No worries, I'm sure it just hasn't found its way from the photo archives into the web pages yet :)
-
I'm afraid it's true - simply haven't gotten round to updating website.
Running my business is like having 3 full time jobs - if not more
Looking after customers and enquiries
Repairing and making guitars
Dealing with admin and paperwork (a full time job on it's own)
Advertising and promotions
Photography and website matters
I'm often still working on guitars after midnight (when not being distracted by the BKP forum or talking to my girlfriend or being a servant to a certain tabby cat)
-
Very nice looking set of guitars you got there Johnathan.
-
Very nice! :D
-
Just gotten it all reassembled - having had the front of headstock painted (the rest is oil finished)
OMG - this thing rocks
Pics as soon as I'm back at work next week
-
I likes that a lot!
-
Just taken some more pictures of the finished item
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera1-1.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/pantera2-1.jpg)
-
Looking great! :D
-
I like the name too!
:guitar4:
-
Pretty, pretty...
Are we seeing this on the 18th? :D
-
Another lovely guitar, Jonathan. One day I'll be able to afford a Feline (Hopefully!)
I can reccomend the Black covered Painkillers. I've got one in my X1, and they 'age' cosmetically really well and sound great.
-
Killer!
How much would it be for this guitar with ebony fingerboard, single pickup, and reverse headstock?
-
Killer!
How much would it be for this guitar with ebony fingerboard, single pickup, and reverse headstock?
Same price £1500Pretty, pretty...
Are we seeing this on the 18th? :D
Yes it should be there......
-
Lovely looking axe!!
Roo
PS Gotten?? ;)
-
PS Gotten?? ;)
???
The guitar is available for sale , although I think I want to get it reviewed in a magazine as well!
-
That is really nice and right up my street, especially being 22 frets. Is the neck profile like an 80's compound radius Jackson\Charvel or a super thin\fast one?
Bridge wise, have you considered one of these new Schaller 'Hannes' bridges? They look really good and different to other styles, plus the blurb makes them seem like they would make a difference to the overall tone of the guitar (aswell as being fancy).
http://schaller-electronic.com/hp122835/Hannes-Bridge.htm (http://schaller-electronic.com/hp122835/Hannes-Bridge.htm)
(http://schaller-electronic.de/download/CY417454a4X127ba1e578aXY19e2/13___Hannes_Ruth.jpg)
(http://schaller-electronic.com/upload/C18ed6c05X127633d4f69XY58d/1268681096144/59___DSC_2566.jpg)
-
We have looked at the Hannes and whilst they have some good points , there are some awkward aspects to it as well
So the jury is still out at present on the Hannes
But we would certainly consider fitting one for a customer order
-
That guitar does look great Jonathan.
-
Very nice!
Cant wait for the Tele shaped version ;)
Paddy
-
Rather than start a new topic on this I thought it might be better to raise this one from the ashes and avoid the risk of someone saying "didn't you post this stuff before?"
Quick catch up
I started making the Pantera stripped down version of our Panther model and it was all looking very good.
But for some reason I never followed up and posted any more on it once it was all made, other than the single piccy as seen above
Some will remember that that it has a slimmed down thickness and shares some aspects of the Blackmachine B6 model, which I confess is a guitar that I am very fond of and get to see fairly often, through my work with Doug.(owner of Blackmachine)
So here it is in all it's glory.......
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERA4.jpg)
I love the grain symmetry on the back of the body
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERA3.jpg)
Easy neck joint
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERA2.jpg)
You can tell it's a slimmer guitar
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/pantera23.jpg)
-
Oh yes - I promised that I'd show a lefty version too ..........I know there are some left handed players out there too :D
This one features the BKP aftermath pickup - so she's ready to rock!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERASOUTHPAW5.jpg)
I experimented with a solid brass bar instead of individual ferrules for the string anchors
I remembered it being a feature of a few guitars years ago and much was said about the positives to doing it that way - so I had a go.
The Schaller Hannes bridge does something similar, so I'm in good company.
Shame I can't play well left handed to feel the benefits :(
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERASOUTHPAW4.jpg)
Nice rear view again showing off the slim profile of the guitar
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/Pantera/PANTERASOUTHPAW3.jpg)
-
Very neat guitar!
-
I do like the look of the oil finish!
Do you do anything to fill the grain of the ash, or just go straight to the oil?
-
The execution of the workmanship is top notch, can't say anything about that. However, for me the wood is a bit on the pale side - its a cosmetic thing. I'd prefer to see something darker - can you stain ash?
-
^ I'm with HTH here. They look superbly well made though :)
-
These guitars look very nice indeed. Too bad I am not more often in the UK.
Cheers Stephan
-
The execution of the workmanship is top notch, can't say anything about that. However, for me the wood is a bit on the pale side - its a cosmetic thing. I'd prefer to see something darker - can you stain ash?
To be fair - the image you see is with 1000w of studio flash hitting it and it tends to lighten up how the wood looks
When you see the guitar in real life it looks a bit warmer in colour.
I might try a tinted oil at some point though - could be interesting provided that you can keep the tint even all over
-
Like I said on Facebook: looks rad. Just needs a Discharge sticker and gaffa tape strap locks and it's ready to rock. How much will you be doing them for?
-
Looks great Jonathan. I'm getting more and more into straight forward, stripped down, workin' man's rawk axes.
Me too.
More AC Cobra and less Bentley, if you know what I mean.
-
very nice :)
-
high quality craftsmanship.. its not my thing, but then again theres plenty in your range that is ;)
-
BTW Jonathan, how do you select which BKPs go into a particular guitar of yours - apart from specific instructions given by the customer? Do you swap them often in new guitars to see whether another model fits that particular guitar better?
Thanks,
Stephan
-
Simple and effective, I love it. Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
-
Simple and effective, I love it. Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
agree, the reverse headstock on the leftie model really sets it off!
-
BTW Jonathan, how do you select which BKPs go into a particular guitar of yours - apart from specific instructions given by the customer? Do you swap them often in new guitars to see whether another model fits that particular guitar better?
I do occasionally roll a few different sets through a guitar, although that does get a bit expensive
I also learn from previous times I've done it about what sounds good in what timber
Simple and effective, I love it. Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
agree, the reverse headstock on the leftie model really sets it off!
Am I missing something - there isnt a reverse headstock one (yet)
Unless you are looking at the back of the guitar and seeing how it'd look if it were a reverse headstock
Simple and effective, I love it.
Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
Yeah I like the sound of that
What pickup would you have in it?
We should do it!
-
Simple and effective, I love it.
Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
Yeah I like the sound of that
What pickup would you have in it?
We should do it!
Warpig! I'd well like one of those.
-
Well, yeah, what Neil said :lol:
The A-pig + Swamp Ash combo works like a charm on my tele, sure as sure.
However, I dunno if I can fork up the cash for something like that anytime soon :lol:
But, if we're playing wishful thinking, I'd probably like mine with a Maple fretboard instead, and slightly sharper edges around the body. Maybe also a slightly thicker body and/or a black Pickguard of some sort.
Ah, one can dream...
-
Simple and effective, I love it. Reverse headstock and 1 pickup, and you have my ideal axe, more or less!
agree, the reverse headstock on the leftie model really sets it off!
Am I missing something - there isnt a reverse headstock one (yet)
Unless you are looking at the back of the guitar and seeing how it'd look if it were a reverse headstock
you're right! I think it might be an optical illusion caused by the fact its a leftie.. nevertheless, a reverse headstock would be cool on these