Custom Templates

[Nadz1lla]

Hey guys,

I had a thought...might be one I've had before but I don't remember posting it here so I'll go for it, heh.

Do you think a Luthier would create a custom template for odd or uncommon scale-length guitars and sell them?

Along the same lines, do you think they would also create fretboard slotting templates for these (if there is such a thing)?

Might be a cheaper way to get a custom guitar if someone could provide all the appropriately measured templates and a person could then fabricate the guitar themselves?

I don't imagine this would come cheap, though. After all, the Luthier still has to go through the arduous task of measuring all the spec up.

[WezV]

if you know someone who is good at CAD you can use  laser cutting services - but you might need to order enough to fill a sheet of ply/MDF .  there are more and more companies around that offer this kind of service

I know a guy who went this route and after an initial problem with tool thickness he is producing some very decent templates.   the initial problem was not allowing for the thickness of the laser. the company had cut on the line which took off about 1/2mm either side of the line. suddenly he had a 1mm gap around the neck pocket.  easily solved on the next run

[Andrew W]

I used www.cutlasercut.com to make a guitar rack I designed and their service was great. If you can draw the design in something vector based (Illustrator or the free Inkscape) they can cut it out for you.

[Nadz1lla]

Cool, cheers for the tips, guys!   :)

[ToneMonkey]

It's a bit late now, but I draw things out in CAD and have them cut by the local laser cutter. I've only ever had things cut in steel though.

[Nadz1lla]

Never too late to add a tip, thanks dude!

I was hoping a Luthier would provide this kind of service because I have heard that pick-up placement is a fine art. Scale length I can pretty much do on me tod, but I wouldn't know where would be best to place the all-important pups.

[WezV]

I was hoping a Luthier would provide this kind of service because I have heard that pick-up placement is a fine art. Scale length I can pretty much do on me tod, but I wouldn't know where would be best to place the all-important pups.

lol, scale length and fret placement is precise mathematics - pickup placement is not a fine art

in classic guitar design pickup placement has almost always been determined mostly by structural reasons... dont weaken the neck or bridge areas!!

for the bridge just make sure its not too close - i like the closest poles to be between 1"+ away from the saddle

For the neck pickup 24th fret location definitely works well,  but generally as close to the neck without weakening the join is good and gives a nice contrast from the bridge.

some will tell you they need to be on node points to sound good - i dont agree, but it certainly wont sound bad for being on a node point either

if in doubt - follow what works on a guitar you like.

[ToneMonkey]

I recently read that a good place for the bridge pickup is at the equivalent 3rd harmonic, but it's all depends on what sound you're after

[WezV]

I recently read that a good place for the bridge pickup is at the equivalent 3rd harmonic, but it's all depends on what sound you're after

but did they explain why?  and did it involve harmonic nodes which move every time you fret?

there is a theory that you get clusters of different harmonic nodes occurring in similar areas for common fretting positions which may or may not explain  why 24th fret is considered a good location for the neck pickup - or 3rd harmonic position being good for the bridge.  this is an argument put forth by people who support the harmonic node positioning as the ideal way to exactly place a pickup, its an argument they only mention after you mention the movement of harmonic nodes when fretting.

 for me it just cements the fact there is no exact ideal position, at most there are ideal areas.  it also doesnt really provide any ideal for humbuckers vs single coils - obviously they see a mcuh different view of the string

so i stick with go with what works - and if you want to be a geek about it, have a play with this:
http://www.till.com/articles/PickupResponseDemo/index.html

[Nadz1lla]

Okie dokie, thanks for that, guys! That makes things a whole lot easier, heh!

[ToneMonkey]

but did they explain why?  and did it involve harmonic nodes which move every time you fret?

Don't get me started mate, I've heard the argument a thousand times

Personally, I think it sounded like a little bit too far away. :lol: