Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello. I'm not a luthier in the least... I tend to come up with 'projects' and manage them. I have guitar being built by a Florida luthier, and another (in the new year) by another luthier in Nashville. Is it apropos to post photos, updates, stages of construction on this site if I'm not the one doing the building, but directing/managing? Thanks.

I probably don't speak for everyone, but I certainly don't mind.
I say WELCOME.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Well, I won't mention the luthier, unless people want to know (or can PM me) since I got flack (on a different website) with other guitars being built by this guy (e.g., "you're advertising"). In any case, I'm having a custom JEM made in a dark copper metallic tone, mirror pickguard, inlay design by luthiersupply, pickups by Sublime Pickups (out of Hungary), and custom tuner pegs and knobs (solid silver) by Argentariis. I always wanted a 'decorative' and detailed guitar, and this will be the one. The photo below only shows the pickguard and neck setting on top of the body and not actually put together. I'll have quality photos of the guitar in about 3 weeks or so. If anyone wants to see closeups of any part, I can post photos. Thanks.

I hope it sounds as nice as it looks.

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Same here... I never had Sublime Pickups in a guitar, and for obvious reasons of this guy being in Hungary. They cost no more than standard DiMarzios and my luthier was very impressed by their weight and quality of construction. He's supposed to have everything wired up and tested next week, and so he's as anxious to hear the end result as I am. Sublime is a big player in Western Europe (Germany, Hungary, etc.), and particularly with the metal and prog groups. As for the guitar, this is my third one by the same guy, and so know what to expect when it comes to the play of the neck, etc. Pickups below... my initials (BDJ) engraved on one and a skull with vines on the other... chrome with gold tops.

A picture of one of the guitar knobs lying on its side; hand engraved (diamond to be set where you see the hole); character line work and shading, followed by black oxidizing in the lines to follow. Argentariis does some pretty incredible work!

Very nice work!

This is the first passing on the engraving for the back 'trem' plate cover.

I'm not sure if you're like this... but I have a bunch of guitars (only a few customed ones, whereas the others are off the rack), and most of them have 1-2 things that are cool or nice about them. And on each one I think, too bad this head stock isn't on this guitar, or that this guitar doesn't have a vine inlay, etc, etc. That's when I decided to have this one built, and to have each aspect decorative and the way I want it, as though I'm building my ultimate guitar in a visual sense, but also something highly playable.

These are the tuner pegs, also made by Argentariis (the ones making the knobs). Solid silver... and strong (they don't break at the stems, as one would think).

can't wait to see more pics !

Ask the luthiers if they mind you posting - I am sure many would like to know who is building these guitars. They have reason to be proud of their work as well as you for your design sense.

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

He doesn't mind... Stephen Casper (Casper Guitar Technologies)... out of Florida. I was reluctant to even state his name since with past guitars I got crap for 'advertising,' although I have nothing to do with his one-man shop company except that I'm a fan. This is the headstock design (the color will match the body, and Stephen's signature will be in silver).

You can't see it in the first photo, but here is the body again... it's a JEM shape, but I added a hook curve on the tail end. Another thing... the body was painted by a Low Rider auto club... I don't know the details yet, as to the paint type (besides dark copper metallic) or the finish, but it's auto grade.

A better shot of the neck (maple with ebony fingerboard and stainless steel frets):

I've never thought of a guitar as something to customize to that extent, but why not. Those tuners are cool funtional and everything looks very tastefully done. That is really going to be a sweet guitar.

I like that color.

It's my Mazerati! Sleek and classy... or it's supposed to be

The color was a bit of a fluke... I had two colors chosen, the other being a very dark espresso... it was going to be a burst from dark to light (the dark copper you see above). I decided to go only with the one color, but told the luthier the wrong color.... ! When he send me the photo of the painted body I almost flipped... but when he added on the neck it was pleased.

The guitar is lovely, and the work looks first rate. Congrats, and I hope it's everything you hope for.
But I absolutely HATE the look of the tuners, and would never own a guitar with them on it. The workmanship on them looks top notch, but IMHO they ruin the look for me. But that's personal opinion, and I'm not the one that has to be pleased with them.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Actually... you should check out www.Argentariis.com and see what they have... and if you have a unique idea for tuners, they can create them for you. I went with the leaves to keep up with the fretboard inlay concept (as with the volume and tone knobs being leaves).

Pretty fantastic stuff!
I bet it cost a pretty penny.
Thanks for posting pix,
DZ

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Including the solid silver hardware, the cost is about the same as a JEM... less than the EVOs that Ibanez are now selling.

Awesome... looks like you've found some excellent craftsmen to put together your ideal guitar.

i hate to be a J.O. here, but i really don't see how having someone assemble a kit for you belongs in a "luthiers" forum. i understand you are excited about receiving your early '90s copy ibanez that has some sterling silver parts, but cracka please.....

As indicated in the first thread, I am the one who designed everything (minus the body shape and headstock shape)... I put everything together in terms of it's overall design and the details. Perhaps that does not account for anything. As also explained, the luthier is a one-man operation who is building this. If he were posting this info instead of me, you would have no problem... I'm simply doing it myself since he has no interest in posting his work. This guy builds the bodies and necks from scratch... not from a kit of any kind, nor does he order those parts from any other source. Doesn't his work belong here? Best wishes... try to enjoy.

By the way... I've played an JEM... the construction of this guitar goes beyond what Ibanez has put out. I also own a JS2400, again it is inferior to the craftsmanship of this luthier. Call it a 'copy' all you want, but it is a Vai Tribute guitar. The truss rod cover will be chromed metal with the VAI logo engraved on it.