Ordering
2021 update: Currently we have a short waiting list for both our electric and acoustic models and we are only making instruments to order (one at a time, by hand in order to focus on each individual instrument). With increased demand in the acoustic models in particular we are asking for a $600 initial deposit to maintain you place in the line.
If you are considering ordering an instrument here is a guideline as to how the process usually goes:
1. Initial contact is made – usually via email, facebook or instagram
2. Details about your instrument are worked through to the point where construction can begin and a final price and timeframe is established.
3. A deposit of 50% the agreed price is required – this ensures that materials and hardware can be purchased etc. and work is begun!
4. As construction proceeds you will receive periodic updates and photos of progress.
5. Upon completion of your instrument the outstanding amount is paid and delivery arranged.
6. You get you instrument and start playing!
The basic options for a custom built electric instrument are outlined below.
Construction
We prefer to use quartersawn stock for all our instruments, with the following possibilities:
One-piece – Selected pieces that offer especially stable grain orientation and nice figure are reserved for this sort of construction, where a single piece of seasoned timber is fashioned into your instrument.
Two-piece Stacked – This sort of construction makes the most economical use of 1″ stock timber. It can be a good way of optimising rare or expensive timbers or a way of highlighting particular grain figure.
Laminated – Combinations of contrasting timbers creating characteristic ‘stripes’ down the length of the instrument. Most common would be 3 or 5-piece laminations creating a particularly stable instrument.
Hardware
Our Top-loading Bridge and Tuners – this is the standard on any given instrument, offering good quality and value for money. The standard Gotoh tuners have a 16:1 tuning ratio.
Alternative Hardware – there are a range of other possibilites in terms of fixed (hardtail) bridges and tuners that come in chrome, black, gold or other finishes. Gotoh, Hipshot, and Schaller all offer some really nice top-end alternatives. Talk to us if theres something in particualr that you’d like.
Electronics
Basic – standard humbucker, JFET pre/buffer, active/passive switching, volume and output jack – simple and sweet. You can go even simpler (and bypass subtle tone alteration) by leaving out the volume pot all together! Remember to switch to passive or unplug your instrument when not in use to avoid battery drain.
Complete – standard humbucker with parallel/series (or parallel/single/series) switching, JFET pre/buffer, volume, output jack with soft or hard (‘popping’) switching between active and passive modes.
Advanced – There are various other possibilities including piezo saddle pickups or specialised humbuckers with polyphonic outputs (individual outputs for each string) … along with a range of switching, routing, and control options. Talk to us!
Aesthetics
Our standard instruments are detailed with bone dot markers inlayed on the face and sides of the fretboard. Fretboards are usually (though not always) bound and instrument are hand finished with shellac and beeswax. If you desire something else in terms of inlay, detailing or finishing then please talk to us about your ideas.