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syo

syo

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Hello...
Just received some photographs of the first real round of prototypes of my new guitars in progress.
This lot is fairly straightforward. Each basically inspired by ES-335, SG, and Strat in terms of rough dimensions and playing styles.

Anyway, would love to hear what anyone thinks. Although there are a few issues I can see already (oval fret markers for one), I am generally quite excited about the whole thing. Finished samples should be delivered in about 2 weeks...!

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff25c35da.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff2611b3c.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff25e5d74.jpg
 
Those are really interesting. I can't wait to see the finished product. The first seems inspired by Trey Anistasio's guitar.
 
All 3 look great, but I'm really liking the middle one (SG). I'm thinking flat black (or matte crimson) and gold hardware...a real Hell guitar :D
 
I like the middle one a LOt that could be one seriously cool looking axe... 1. looks nice too, but the last one is only 'OK' for my taste, kinda looks a tad like Yamaha Pacifica...might look better with finish and all...all in all, a very nice line of guitar shapes.

Overall, it must be really great to do this, have your own guitar line! I'd love to some day build another one like my Davette...there was this local luthier who liked the shape, size and the construction combination very much and we even discussed him building a few copies for sale, but since that he's pretty much concentrated on non-luthier work and relocated, and that project never took off...too bad...sorry not wanting to hijack the thread, it's just that I'm a big fan of non-standards-conforming guitar shapes and new ideas along those lines.

c1.jpg
 
VERY cool, syo! Man, do I envy you! You have a very exciting thing happening there, man! Keep us posted, eh! :bravo:
 
deeaa said:
I like the middle one a LOt that could be one seriously cool looking axe...
c1.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm especially looking forward to trying this one out. Here's one of my later designs before production. The first will be in a metallic red hopefully like the classic SG red (with flakes added).

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaf8c354245e.jpg

bigG said:
VERY cool, syo! Man, do I envy you! You have a very exciting thing happening there, man! Keep us posted, eh! :bravo:
Click to expand...

Thanks bigG. I'm interested in making my own guitars myself, but practically speaking I don't have the time to acheive the expertise I want. I have found some very good people in the industry however who can help me to realise my ideas. It really is quite a rush to see things moving the way I envisioned.

And of course, I'll keep you posted. It's not like my wife is Childbride. "Is that good? I don't really know anything about guitars", isn't really what I want to hear...;)
 
Nice color!

Uh...if you need anyone to take one of those prototypes and try it out, I officially offer to do so. :rockon:
 
Yeah, that SG does look good also in red...I envisioned it black.

Since the upper horn is so big, I'd have located the mic switch on it for easier access...it's what I really dig about LP's and hate about all other gibson-esque designs...the switch position.
 
By the way Dee...
Your "Davette" is exceptionally cool. I came across your "overhaul" post and saw all the pics. Very nice indeed...
 
Those guitars are going to look good. I especially like the first (with the maple top?), dare I say "The thinking person's metal guitar". Who did you get to make them for you?
 
Suhnton said:
Those guitars are going to look good. I especially like the first (with the maple top?), dare I say "The thinking person's metal guitar". Who did you get to make them for you?
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm hopeful they will not only look good but play well too. I am working with two makers right now but the one who is producing these three seems the most promising. As I may go commercial with these I'm afraid I'd rather not say who is making them. They are an established company who has manufactured OEM guitars for some of the big and middle guys.
 
syo said:
Thanks. I'm hopeful they will not only look good but play well too. I am working with two makers right now but the one who is producing these three seems the most promising. As I may go commercial with these I'm afraid I'd rather not say who is making them. They are an established company who has manufactured OEM guitars for some of the big and middle guys.
Click to expand...

Members of theFret will get a big discount on the first run, right? :D
 
Kodiak3D said:
Members of theFret will get a big discount on the first run, right? :D
Click to expand...
Members of the Fret are my friends so will of course get a phenomenal deal. Free guitar and a case of beer thrown in as well. All you have to do is pay for
shipping and um... handling charges...;)
 
syo said:
Members of the Fret are my friends so will of course get a phenomenal deal. Free guitar and a case of beer thrown in as well. All you have to do is pay for
shipping and um... handling charges...;)
Click to expand...


sign me up for that DEAL:) :beer:
 
syo said:
Members of the Fret are my friends so will of course get a phenomenal deal. Free guitar and a case of beer thrown in as well. All you have to do is pay for
shipping and um... handling charges...;)
Click to expand...

I get the feeling I'm going to end up with a Hell guitar added to the arsenal. :D

What kind of pickups are you going to put in them?
 
Brian Krashpad said:
I like those first two a lot.

I think I might have trouble playing this brand at my church gigs though.
Click to expand...
Actually Brian, understanding the size of the worship market, I've come up with the idea of a logo mod kit. "Deluxe" $49.99 kit gets you an Ichthus (Christian fish symbol) decal that fits perfectly over the "Hell" logo. "Standard" ($29.99) kit gets you the lower case letter "o" to turn your logo from inappropriate to downright friendly. Of course it might just be easier (and cheaper) to go buy something else...:D

Kodiak3D said:
I get the feeling I'm going to end up with a Hell guitar added to the arsenal. :D

What kind of pickups are you going to put in them?
Click to expand...
The pickups are as of yet undecided. The prototypes will ship with Wilkinsons.
This first round is to determine physical design issues like weight distribution/balance. Also structural integrity and workmanship. After I receive them, I'll try them out and then have them taken apart by a luthier to discover any issues and then also try to determine which pickups might be most suitable. For the semi hollow model I really want to try the Seymour Duncan SH-2n/14 combination I have in my Edwards 335 copy.

Actually I would be very interested in any recommendations from the fretters on what they think might be suitable for any of these models. If I wind up actually trying to market these I will probably want some reasonably priced (but good quality) name pickups. For myself I do want one with the seymours and perhaps another model with some P-Rails.
 
I prefer the one inspired by the 335. Reminds me of my first electric. A nice cherry sunburst should do well. But then natural would be killer too.

Keep up the good work.
 
syo said:
Actually I would be very interested in any recommendations from the fretters on what they think might be suitable for any of these models. If I wind up actually trying to market these I will probably want some reasonably priced (but good quality) name pickups.
Click to expand...

Can't beat GFS for quality/price ratio, but while their name is growing, they aren't known as well as Seymour Duncan or EMG.
 
That is one damn cool axe. I knew it'd look great but that really really looks good. Even if the pickup switch is in the wrong place for me, it sure looks like an axe I could definitely want.
 
Hell....?....Yeah! That is one sweet lookin ax, syo! I would be interested in that guitar if she were hangin' on the wall of a local git shop! :bravo: :rockon:
 
Hey Syo! What's the latest word on Hell Guitars? Haven't heard anything for a while.
 
syo said:
Just received these images from the factory. This guitar is tentatively called the "Bender". It's actually sexier than I imagined...
Jack is too close to the knob though. Have to fix that next time around.

Front:
http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aba1b75e9894.jpg
Back:
http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aba1b760b22a.jpg

Apparently they are ready to ship. I'm very excited to receive them!
Click to expand...

Got to say, that in black, with a black pearl pickguard and chrome hardware...:drool

If you do end up selling them...have you given any thought to a UK/EU distributor?
 
Kodiak3D said:
Hey Syo! What's the latest word on Hell Guitars? Haven't heard anything for a while.
Click to expand...
Hey Kodiak, Tibernius and MAXIFUNK.
Although I have been at the Fret, I somehow missed these posts. Sorry.
Hell Guitars are coming along very nicely, Thanks! After playing around with the first prototypes I am very encouraged. I am just finishing some small design and spec changes and the next round of prototypes should be started next week. We will be trying out some Bare Knuckle pickups this time. The Wilkinsons are really quite decent for the money but I want to try some higher end hardware this time around for comparison.
Tibernius said:
Got to say, that in black, with a black pearl pickguard and chrome hardware...:drool

If you do end up selling them...have you given any thought to a UK/EU distributor?
Click to expand...

Thanks Tibernius. Maybe I'll try your color suggestion. I was thinking to offer black and with a black pearl pickguard sounds nice. Right now I am putting most of my energy into building the best guitars I can and not worrying too much about distribution. Hopefully we can get to that part of things soon too.
Hmmm, If I have a UK distributor, perhaps I will have more opportunity to visit Wales. One of my favorite places..:AOK
 
A quick update. I just installed some Bare Knuckle pickups in two of my guitars and am floored by the transformation. I was looking for a Cream-like vintage vibe and got it with a set of The Mule HBs. Terrific match for this particular guitar. The HSS model got a "Nailbomb" HB with "Irish Tour" singles which pack quite a punch. More muscular than I am accustomed to but it seems to work for this model too, although I may try some others too.

Anyone out there using Bare Knuckles? I'd love to hear what someone else has to say about them. I am quite pleased myself and leaning toward using them for all of my designs. I'll try to post some sound files soon so you can hear what I'm talking about:rockon: .
 
syo said:
Hello...
Just received some photographs of the first real round of prototypes of my new guitars in progress.
This lot is fairly straightforward. Each basically inspired by ES-335, SG, and Strat in terms of rough dimensions and playing styles.

Anyway, would love to hear what anyone thinks. Although there are a few issues I can see already (oval fret markers for one), I am generally quite excited about the whole thing. Finished samples should be delivered in about 2 weeks...!

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff25c35da.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff2611b3c.jpg

http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/93434aaeff25e5d74.jpg
Click to expand...

these are really great!! I like the most is the middle one.
 

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