Design And Price Your Guitar
Designing a custom guitar is an idea that experienced players always have in mind. Usually, after a search that can take many years, they feel happy with their guitar… but would like to change some things here and there.
Technology + meticulous craftsmanship = quality, affordable custom instruments
I can make a guitar based on your specifications at an affordable price. The costs are kept down by using CNC technology. I have a huge library of variations for each instrument that keeps growing each day. Parts fit perfectly, such as the ebony pickup rings that adapt to the complex shape of the top, the fretboard inlays, the bridge foot underside or the neck pocket. Necks feel the same consistently from one guitar to another. However, other parts, such as the top and back plates, although roughed using CNC technology, are finished by hand, as each piece of wood requires a different tuning.
Guitarists are more than customers… they are the best designers
While, in principle, there are obvious limitations to your requirements, feel free to propose any variations: some of the models and options in the line came from ideas taken from you, guitar players, so I am open to hear and materialize your suggestions.
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Please notice that currently I have a design guide only for 15" models. Hopefully, this will change in a few months (updated September 2007). |
The first thing that you will need to decide is the width at the lower bout. Please choose among the following four different options:
18" (457 mm).- Huge and expensive, these guitars are not very popular among jazz players, although they are considered by many as the epitome of jazz guitars. With very heavy strings and a high action, they have been used preferably in big bands, where they can be heard through other usually louder instruments as an almost percussive background. Nevertheless, there are great players that have used them as solo instruments, among which we can mention Kenny Burrell or Larry Coryell.
17” (432 mm).- This is the most common size for jazz guitars. When correctly built, it leads to well balanced instruments ideal for playing classic jazz. However, when the soundbox has the usual thickness and top/back graduations, this design is very sensitive to feedback. Some players feel these are not comfortable instruments due to the size of the soundbox. However, their sound is unique, either amplified or not. They look impressive, too.
There are two models in this size, depending on the pickup being floating (Rialto) or conventional (Astoria)
16" (406 mm).- This size is a compromise between big and small archtops. Usually thinner than 17” archtops, these are more versatile instruments. They have two pickups, a comfortable size and better access to the higher frets – all that makes them very good for on-stage use, either jazz or blues oriented.
15" (381 mm).- Smaller archtops are great for busy live musicians. They are cheaper, less prone to feedback and easier to transport. Their electric tone has the main qualities of bigger archtops, and can be quite convincing. However, unamplified, these are instruments that lack bass tones. although they have a greater sustain.
Note: All these descriptions are based on typical instruments. Some modifications will have a strong effect on their characteristics. For example, when it is said right here above that 17” instruments may not be comfortable, perhaps that will not be true if the soundbox thickness is reduced.