Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: SamR on June 22, 2007, 12:43:26 AM
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Hey everyone,
I bought a strat a while ago, i played it and was very happy.
The other day i got bored of the single coils and decided to break out the Kramer, the difference going from single coil to humbucker was amazing!the tone was so much richer and it just seemed more fun to play.
The kramer is a 1988 striker 1000st, bought from ebay for 150 quid, built with one single on the neck and a slanted humbucker on the back, one aspect i dont like about it however, is the fact the floyd rose is always going out of tune. Cut the story short... its old, and i love my superstrats so i want to buy a new one.
The skies the limit for how much i want to spend, saving isnt a problem for me.
My first choice...
An ESP Horizon FR II
(http://www.guitarshop.net/esp/Horizon_NTII.jpg)
This is one of my dream guitars, beautifully built, through neck, Mahogany body, quilt maple top... Perfection.
The one thing i dont like about esp's is the fact that they seem like there are millions of them, all of them pretty much the same, i had an ibanez Jem 555, and it just didnt feel special, if im spending over a grand... a guitar with a slight uniqueness would be nice.
My Second Choice
(http://www.espguitars.co.jp/edwards/original/E-CY-165CTM_HB.jpg)
Its kind of strange, after ranting about how the esp wasnt unique... that my next choice would be an esp edwards, but i couldnt resist the 27 frets!!
I spotted a forum debate while searching google for more info... They were arguing which had the better quality... LTD or Edwards. Im still not sure, anyone know?
I do love the look of this guitar though im just not sure as to whether the binding is a bit over the top, is this a factory budget guitar trying to look like an upper class, custom guitar?
My Third Choice
(http://www.kyowashokai.co.jp/caparison%20tat/TAT%20frozensky.gif)
The Caparison really looks like a stunning guitar, it only comes in two different finishes, but i hear each one is unique in terms of pattern. It seems perfect, if i wanted to get picky, the only thing that i dont like is the fact that it doesnt have a carved top.
Qualities I would really like
-I would prefer no inlays, side dots only, ebony fretboard
-Dyed Quilt maple top, carved
-binding on the body and neck
-reverse headstock
-through neck
Going Custom?
These qualities seem hard to come by, going custom could be an option, right now i picture my dream guitar being an ESP Horizon with a reverse Headstock and a blank ebony fretboard. One finish that took my fancy was a red quilt maple top, with white binding, and a clear gloss on a mahogany back. I think i spotted it once on a PRS, it looked mint!!
I decided to contact Warmoth...
The advantages of warmoth are that they are cheap... as far as going custom goes, and the quality, from what i hear, is amazing.
The downsides being that a through-neck is out of the picture, and also im starting to realise from some feeback i recieved... that warmoth are quite limited on what they can do...
From an email i recieved... I think binding is only an option for a few of their guitars, also he said that they couldnt do a carved quilted maple top for the particular guitar i wanted.
What should i do?
any ideas on what might take my fancy? Any luthiers, any experience with warmoth that i should know about?
If i do go custom, i want the perfect superstrat, and i would take everything you guys recommend into consideration... If you were designing a through-neck superstrat, what finish would you give it? what wood would you build it out of and why? what hardware, pickups and trem? Design me a superstrat :twisted:
Any feedback would be cool, Cheers.[/b]
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First of all, Caparisons are great guitars. (Had to say that! :P)
(http://www.first-take.co.jp/takeoff/sale_gif/e_guitar/e0179%20caparison%20dellinger2_body.jpg)
The Dellinger has ebony board, neck binding, and Schaller trem, with cap pickups (PH-R and PH-F). The fret access is phenomenal... :P The neck joint is very shred-friendly indeed!
The ESP Horizon looks amazing, and I really want one aswell... :P I'd recommend you try out a bunch of superstrats, if you have the opportunity, to see what you like the best!
If I'd be getting a custom superstrat... Wow :D
Mahogany body, with quilt maple top, painted in translucent red, with natural binding... Non-carved top, and the fretboard would be birdseye maple/birdseye maple, without any inlays. Gold hardware, and zebra BKP's. Now THAT, would be a sweet guitar! (IMO)
Oh yeah, and it would be bolt-on, with some sort of an AANJ, and the neck would be oiled...
And yes, no Caparison looks the same. They are finished with sponges, by Itaru. The TAT comes in Frozen Sky and Crimson. :)
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My vote goes for either a top-end ESP or a nice Ibanez S-series.
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CaparisonCaparisonCaparison!
Superb guitars! Though I'd get the TAT2 for the H-H layout.
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Right, first off I need to express how ugly I find that Edwards - please don't buy it, it's far too over the top...
Ok, so now I've got that out of the way, I'll fully recommend that you get a custom. My reason for this is that it's probably the only way you'll be able to get everything on your list of things you want, and retain that uniqueness.
I actually enquired about getting a custom before Christmas, but then I had some money issues and couldn't afford it after all. However, when I was enquiring the following three were probably the best looking guitars (from the site) and/or the best organised with responding to emails etc:
Jonathan at Feline Guitars (http://www.felineguitars.com/)
Bob at Legra Guitars (http://www.legraguitars.co.uk/home.htm)
Trevor at Trevor Usher Guitars (http://www.soundsinscale.com/)
I'd shoot them all an email, browse their websites and generally see who you feel most comfortable entrusting with the task of building your dream guitar.
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Just realised - You want a super strat with a neck thru and a blank ebony fretboard?
Try Mayonaise - They're meant to be amazing - Same sort of style as Black Machines, but I can't imagine them being as good - This one has a neck thru aswell though.
http://www.mayones.com/eng/katalog.html?nazwa=Regius-6&menu=0
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Right, first off I need to express how ugly I find that Edwards - please don't buy it, it's far too over the top...
Ok, so now I've got that out of the way, I'll fully recommend that you get a custom. My reason for this is that it's probably the only way you'll be able to get everything on your list of things you want, and retain that uniqueness.
I actually enquired about getting a custom before Christmas, but then I had some money issues and couldn't afford it after all. However, when I was enquiring the following three were probably the best looking guitars (from the site) and/or the best organised with responding to emails etc:
Jonathan at Feline Guitars (http://www.felineguitars.com/)
Bob at Legra Guitars (http://www.legraguitars.co.uk/home.htm)
Trevor at Trevor Usher Guitars (http://www.soundsinscale.com/)
I'd shoot them all an email, browse their websites and generally see who you feel most comfortable entrusting with the task of building your dream guitar.
i agree. My legra should arrive in the next few days, i can let you know what it's like. it's not a super strat, it's a king v, but i'm guessing it's close enough to let you know how well legra does the "modern" thing, as it has a wizard II style neck etc., floyd. basically it's a super-strat in all but shape, lol.
That 27 fret edwards would be awesome if it didn't have the abalone everywhere. I believe, from what i hear, last year's model wasn't so over the top...
never tried a caparison, hear good things (though i also hear they're somewhat over-rated and over-priced)... best to take any hearsay with a pinch of salt, of course.
ESP, Jackson, Ibanez J custom are all very nice, problem is with your very specific requirements, unless you get really lucky, the easiest thing is probably a custom, if you're willing to wait for one.
:drink:
EDIT: which is better, LTD or edwards? I dunno, I haven't really tried either, lol. I'd suspect edwards as it's japanese-made, and not allowed to be sold outside japan, but it'd be best if you could find someone who'd tried them, obviously enough. :oops:
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man that Caparison is damn nice!!! It looks a bit likke the jackson soloist ive been after for ages but is too dear(addictetd to ebay therefore no savings :( ) i love its head stock!!!!
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Go Custom and its all your design. My custom LP that Feline are building has the neck profile of my Charvel Super Srat. With MIDI. Just go over the top on everything dude, you only die once!
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You might like the Carvin range, plenty of quilted maple tops
http://www.carvin.com/gallery/guitargallery.php?ItemNumber=CT6M
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Thanks for the replys guys, ill definately check out these sites.
Just realised - You want a super strat with a neck thru and a blank ebony fretboard?
Try Mayonaise - They're meant to be amazing - Same sort of style as Black Machines, but I can't imagine them being as good - This one has a neck thru aswell though.
http://www.mayones.com/eng/katalog.html?nazwa=Regius-6&menu=0
Wow those guitars are amazing, They do remind me of the black machine guitars. I would go custom, the only thing putting me off is Sambo down the road has sold pretty much everything to pay for is. :lol:
Caparisons are really really nice guitars, the pricetag is a little more hefty than esps, with that kind of price it got me thinking if i was that far away from being able to afford a custom.
I do agree that the ESP Edwards does look a bit over the top, I dont know if it would do if it was nicely done with quality inlays, ill have to find a few more close up pics of it. The one thing that attracted me to that particular guitar was that it had 27 frets, and to my knowlege... it didnt look like a cheaper copy of an existing esp guitar.
If I'd be getting a custom superstrat... Wow
Mahogany body, with quilt maple top, painted in translucent red, with natural binding... Non-carved top, and the fretboard would be birdseye maple/birdseye maple, without any inlays. Gold hardware, and zebra BKP's. Now THAT, would be a sweet guitar! (IMO)
Oh yeah, and it would be bolt-on, with some sort of an AANJ, and the neck would be oiled...
Wow, nice choices :lol: , i think quilt maple has to be my favorite finish of all time, especially on the neck, i remember seeing a few musicmans with a birdseye maple neck, they were sweet.
i really do like natural binding, the one thing that worried me with a natural binding on the body is... wouldnt a natural binding on the body, with a white binding on the neck clash?
Oh yeah and since my kramers always going out of tune with a none floating floyd rose, i was wondering if it is really necesarry to have one, i can do divebombs and trem picking on my fender, and that $%&#er never goes out of tune. I guess floyds just look cooler lol.
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Oh i did let a very very nice 7 string Carvin go on ebay, it was clear flame maple top with mahogany back, black hardware with two humbuckers (no middle single) Floyd rose, ebony fretboard with no inlays.
At the time i didnt really have the money, i was looking at buying a £300 ibanez and stretching at the thought of paying for that...
I had to put in a bid for the carvin so at 23 mins to go i bid $900. (on top of that $125 shipping. But some other guy was determined to have it, he won the auction at $1,090.
Nice little story for you there lol.
I went to felines page, i noticed something that sounds like a pretty good option on there... ''pimp my guitar'', if i bought an esp horizon maybe he could work his magic to pimp it out, strip the fretboard and put a clear one on, whack some BKPs in it and id be a happy chappy :twisted:
*EDIT*
I found this guy called Lootnick
http://www.lootnick.com/workshop.php
He does some really good stuff, theres a guitar on his workshop page which has carvings around the outside of the guitar body, ive seen the finished product, its 7 string, binded ebony fretboard with custom sword inlays, two tone dragon yellow and green paint...
Its called the crusader, the gallery for it is here
http://www.lootnick.com/gallery.php?gid=41
he charged the guy £1600 for the whole thing, good or bad? Im pretty impressed with his workshop page
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The Caparison Apple Horn and Horus are both 27 fret, but both bolt on.
Don't think that Caparison's are overpriced - They only make 400 guitars a year - compare that to ESP, and imagine the difference in quality control.
The Edwards is a cheap copy of Kiko Loureiro's signature as far as I'm aware.
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LTD vs Edwards
edwards all the way. well, from what i gather people saying. near close to the original. and japanese guitars most of the time dont feel like toys
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Personally, i'd say go for a custom, and i'd say go for a Ran (http://www.ranguitars.com). That said, i am biased ;)
(http://oli.digitalwaffle.net/ran/ran-flightcase-high2.jpg)
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maple board FTW! ooo and 27 frets too
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27 frets doesn't look like a great idea as far as I can see - the neck pickup seems like it would lose its character slightly 'cause it's so close to the bridge...maybe not though, eh :P
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Get one of the older MIJ or MIA Charvels, I have a MIJ Model C from '88 and its great (takes a while to get used to, but I'm not used to superstrats)! Stock pickups arent amazing, but I put a Rebel Yell in the bridge position of mine and it sounds really good, proper 80s!
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in the 80's, the were models 1-7 the C, M or alike, was a suffix to the name ;)
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Personally I don't really consider Ran any more custom that Carvin...
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27 frets doesn't look like a great idea as far as I can see - the neck pickup seems like it would lose its character slightly 'cause it's so close to the bridge...maybe not though, eh :P
It balances out the pickups a little more. That guitar is the only one that i own that i can play with both pickups at the same time. That said, yes, the neck pickup is dulled slightly but not by much. I'll be honest and say that access to the last couple of frets would be easier if the top was carved- but i'm not such a fan of carved superstrats myself.
Davey: YES! maple for the win i feel :)
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Most 27 fret guitars have single coils at the neck so it doesn't affect as much.
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Personally I don't really consider Ran any more custom that Carvin...
care to say why not? they offer custom guitars from the ground up. any shape, any spec
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Almost all people as far as I've seen that buy from Ran customise one of the two chosen models on show, most likely because of just how much money it saves them.
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Almost all people as far as I've seen that buy from Ran customise one of the two chosen models on show, most likely because of just how much money it saves them.
But the option for a full custom is there...
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Pretty sure Carvin have a custom shop too.
Although most people customise their standard models aswell.
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The Caparison Apple Horn and Horus are both 27 fret, but both bolt on.
Don't think that Caparison's are overpriced - They only make 400 guitars a year - compare that to ESP, and imagine the difference in quality control.
The Edwards is a cheap copy of Kiko Loureiro's signature as far as I'm aware.
i don't think so, there's also and edwards kiko loueouerour-whatever signature.
also, i say go for the legra. Mine came in today and it's amazing. Review to come in several days when i've played it more.
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Pretty sure Carvin have a custom shop too.
Although most people customise their standard models aswell.
only their available shapes and variations on given specs, not a from scratch to guitar CS
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My Dad's mate is getting an 8 string carvin made for him, cant wait to see it. I think thats about as custom as they come :D
I sent off an email to Ran Guitars to get a quote, Im going to get in touch with lootnick aswel. Best to shop around and get the lowest price :P Anyone know how much im looking at to get a Ran built for me?
I heard someone mention charvels, i have seen some really nice ones on ebay, i used to love guitars with only one slanted bridge humbucker and one volume switch, but i dont think its really my thing anymore.
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My Dad's mate is getting an 8 string carvin made for him, cant wait to see it. I think thats about as custom as they come :D
I sent off an email to Ran Guitars to get a quote, Im going to get in touch with lootnick aswel. Best to shop around and get the lowest price :P Anyone know how much im looking at to get a Ran built for me?
I heard someone mention charvels, i have seen some really nice ones on ebay, i used to love guitars with only one slanted bridge humbucker and one volume switch, but i dont think its really my thing anymore.
From €1200 and up I guess... I've gotten a few quotes from there, and they seem to be around that area! :D
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when i speced a couple guitars, it always came to around 1600€
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I got a quote from Ran, for the esp style guitar, reverse headstock, flamed maple, floyd rose, with flightcase etc... its 2270 euros, thats about... £1500
Something i will have to think on i think, i think warmoth could build me one for under a grand but i dont think it would be to my exact specs.
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I got a quote from Ran, for the esp style guitar, reverse headstock, flamed maple, floyd rose, with flightcase etc... its 2270 euros, thats about... £1500
Something i will have to think on i think, i think warmoth could build me one for under a grand but i dont think it would be to my exact specs.
it would also require a bit of fretwork.. plus someone would have to put it together for you
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If I'm gonna order from Warmoth, I'll be putting it together myself. No problem actually, as long as you know how to use a soldering iron, and knows how to set up a guitar.... :D
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I got a quote from Ran, for the esp style guitar, reverse headstock, flamed maple, floyd rose, with flightcase etc... its 2270 euros, thats about... £1500
Something i will have to think on i think, i think warmoth could build me one for under a grand but i dont think it would be to my exact specs.
i think depending on your spec legra could be cheaper... and the wait likely won't be as bad as ran either.
mine was pimped up to the eyeballs, spec-wise, and came to around £1600-odd. I've had quotes from bob for bolt-on style superstrats for just under a grand, though that was over a year ago.
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wow sounds like legra might be a real good option, do u have a pic of your guitar?
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Yep from what I`ve read and seen, Legra's are awesome. Bob is really helpful too if you have any questions. Not to mention how patient he is :oops:
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wow sounds like legra might be a real good option, do u have a pic of your guitar?
not at the moment, but i just got a pm from someone else asking for a pic, so i should be able to rustle one up in the next day or two if i can manage to steal my sister's digital camera.
:lol:
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nice 1, i look forward to seeing it :)
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nice 1, i look forward to seeing it :)
+1
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That's a point, I wanted to ask- how exactly do you get a quote for a custom from Legra? Do you just email Bob with some pictures and a list of specs and he gets back to you with the quote?
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Yep that is exactly how it's done!!
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ok, let's see if i can get this to work (apologies for cr@p photography,; also apologies for the dodgy strap! EDIT: and the cr@p in the background!)
(http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/6/17712300878.jpg) (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5810326)
EDIT: and no, it doesn't contain the sun in it either. :oops: :lol:
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youuu mother-bucker! (and thats a deliberate alteration unlike bar-steward)
that looks awesome... and i hate Vs... and Flame Tops... and Trems... :lol:
nice one man, you still happy with it?
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^ heck yeah!
it actually looks classy- which is an achievement in itself for a king V guitar!
But yeah, it's really, really nice.
I'll get a review up in a day or two when i get the chance.
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that looks awesome... and i hate Vs... and Flame Tops... and Trems... :lol:
I agree - although looking at the size of those frets, I doubt I'd get on with playing it :lol:
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I agree - although looking at the size of those frets, I doubt I'd get on with playing it :lol:
:lol:
my goal eventually is to get frets so large you can't actually see the fretboard.
\m/ :twisted: \m/
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:lol:
yer class it definitely has; the black-and-white of the cow pattern strap sets of the blue very elegantly :lol:
Sam R- go Legra!
whilst i can't vouch for the quality of the work from a first-hand basis, i can say that Bob is extremely helpful and knows his stuff. It would be my choice if i were in your situation.
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^ :lol:
:drink:
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SamR, I'd check out Gutierrez Guitars if I were you...
Their "website":
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=15&sid=b67cd0b967668fac0b39c85e1149f688
Pictures of a Gutierrez:
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17319
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^ i've heard good things about those, problem is, being in the states, postage will be a lot more, and you'll get hit with around 21% customs charges, so they probably won't be as good value as they first appear. They might not offer BKP's either (not sure on that).
But it certainly never hurts to check out all your options.
:drink:
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Wow that V looks amazing! You lucky b*stard! :D
Gutierrez, nice find, looking at the pricelist it doesnt seem to be too bad, one thing i definately dont like is the lack of website, im having problems even contacting him for a quote because i have to sign onto the forum just to contact the guy, trouble is it wont let me sign up at the moment. The guitars look pretty tasty though. Cheers for the recomendation.
I left an email with warmoth about a week ago and they still havent got back to me, i think theyre a bit swamped with work at the moment, am i to believe that because its summer everyone wants a guitar? :P
I dont know maybe i am being to fussy and asking to many questions, i keep finding new fancy options on the website and asking him what i can have done, if im flashing my cash around i think im entitled to ask as many questions as i like!
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*edit* just got a reply from him, its a lot of fussing around for a custom head on the guitar, he did mention that they could do me a musicman head which they dont advertise on the site, i really do love the musicman necks. decisions decisions, im about to contact him for a quote on my list, this is what i have so far...
Guitar Body
Soloist Carved top body $
Mahogany with flame maple top $
Strat Layout Controls 1 volume 1gain $
Floyd Rose Bridge $
H-X-H Pickup Routing option $
White Binding option $
Contoured Heel Option $
Blue Burst (Flame Maple Top and Face of Head only) $
Clear Gloss back (mahogany) $
Neck
Musicman Warmoth Neck $
Mahogany Neck with Ebony Fretboard $
Standard warmoth Thin Neck $
24 frets $
6105 Frets $
No inlays – Side Dots Only $
White Binding $
Schaller Tuner Holes $
Floyd Rose Nut (chrome) $
Nut Width 1-3/4" (44.45mm) $
Clear Gloss Finish $
Laminated headstock – Matching body (Blue Burst Flame Maple) $
Metal Warmoth Logo on Head (Chrome) $
----------------
Body and Neck total $QUOTE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware
Original Floyd Rose, Chrome - (right Handed) $170.00
Schaller Tuners, Chrome (set) $51.00
Upper Concentric Pot Knobs, Chrome $5.50
Standard Strap Buttons $3.00
Chrome Screws $2.60
NP1C Control Plate (chrome) $4.50
-No Mounting Rings- $-
Electronics
DPJS1 Switchcraft Deep Sterio Jack $9.00
FBJ1B Black Jackplate $6.50
CRL3 3 way switch $14.00
CTS500 Pots $10.00
CAP1 Capacitor $0.50
-------------------
Hardware Total $276.60
Also any additional materials, fees for finishing the guitar (except Pickups). $
Thats it, what do you guys think? Im still debating whether or not to have a floyd rose, i find divebombs and trem picking pretty easy on my strat, whats the advantage of floyd roses besides looking really cool? :roll:
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Can dive bomb further on Floyds, and I feel they give alot more control.
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^ generally stay in tune a wee bit better too.
they just feel a bit different too, floyds are for crazy trem antics, not just as easy to do subtle manipulations with.
Wow that V looks amazing! You lucky b*stard! :D
Thanks!
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psch you dont need a floyd to stay in tune! My strat with £25 wilkinson hipshot style bridge, klusons and a normal white nut stays in tune perfectly even after some serious divebombage :D I guess the only disadvantage is that it wont bend up.
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^ yeah, i know.
you can set up some strat trems to float too.
i dunno, i just love floyds. I have no taste, though.
:lol:
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Yeah my strat trem can float, but I find that it goes out of tune when I rest my hand on the bridge or something, and I have no real use for bending up anyway :lol:
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ah, that'll happen if you lean too much on a floating bridge. you kinda have to learn to lean less heavily, lol.
:lol:
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Sam, the spec you've posted for your Warmoth is similiar to what I was originally going to do with mine. The flame maple under the blue will look sweet. About the binding though - if you're having the back finished clear, why not go for the masked binding as opposed to the plastic around the edge of the body? It looks (IMHO) much classier, and I think it will suit the soloist very well.
I'd also be careful about the clear gloss finish on the neck, it could make the back a bit sticky. If you go for a clear satin finish, it'll be smooth and slippery. Your call of course, but I wasn't aware of it until somebody pointed it out to me and I very nearly ended up with somothing I wouldn't have wanted, so...
I wish I'd known abou the Musicman headstock option when I ordered though. I've got the Warmoth 3x3, which is nice enough, but for straight string pull the MM 'stock would have been great, and looked awesome too. Mine should be back from the guitar tech earlyish next week, so I'll let you know how I get on. All the best with you project man. :)
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Cheers Simon, yeah natural binding looks like a nice option, i would go for it but i was wondering if natural binding on the body then white binding on the neck would clash.
As i couldnt have a neck through body, the look i was aiming for on the back, was to have the neck the same finish as the back of the body, so it could almost blend into the guitar, what do you think? My PRS' neck has a glossy finish, and that doesnt seem to affect the playability.
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Yeah, having the neck and body back blend as much as possible is a good idea - hadn't thought of that.
I'm not sure if the natural binding would clash with a white bound neck. Maple is generally quite a light coloured wood, so it could work. Best thing might be to ask the sales rep at Warmoth for advice - they deal with enquires like this a lot I think.
Also, take a look here - http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/ - it's a forum run by a couple of the guys from the company, there's a lot of very useful advice there, and they're a friendly bunch too.