Joel Rainville Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Here's a design I came up with about 4 years ago. I am just now finishing the first version of it, and a second one is about 1/4 done. What do you think? Attractive or not? Here's what it looks like as of last week. There's 6 coats of nitro highlighting the blotchy stain job on the maple plate. Finishing is an art that I still have to learn. And here's how #2 is shaping up : Thanks for looking. Criticism's more than welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I like it quite a bit. Very slick looking. Particularly the first one. Looking forward to seeing it completed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Honest opinion? It doesn't strike me as anything special. It resembles a PRS/Jaguar crossbreed. I like the PRS style cutaways, but not the extended Jaguar style body shapes. Please don't take that as anything negative. At this point, it'd be dang hard for anyone to have an original body shape without being able to compare it to an existing shape or combination of shapes. All of our shapes are going to be inspired by something else. The most important thing is that YOU like it and that it feels good in YOUR arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickguard Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I like the retro feel to it. Reminds me a lot of the Epiphone Crestwood, mixed with a bit of Jaguar. I like the big face plate too. Although you ought to consider sanding back the maple and trying again. Eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Although you ought to consider sanding back the maple and trying again. Eventually. Yeah. Here's what it looked like after one coat of blue stain. Should probably have stopped there... Oh well, next one should be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anderekel Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Well, I think it looks better darker. I like the design, very nice and elegant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I love it! The only flaws in my eyes are the mismatched horns (if you kept them both the ric bass kinda shape i think it'd look better) and the stain. I love the color you ended up with, i think it really matches the rest of the guitar, but if you could redo it and get that same color wih a more uniform stain... How was the stripe done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 How was the stripe done? It's binding applied around the 1/4" thick maple top plate. That plate is then "inlayed" into the top of the alder body. I might go for a flashier flame maple plate and dye job for #3. I'd like to try a burst of some kind on the plate and a solid color on the body. I will also experiment with different round-overs for the upper horn. #1 (the blue one) is 1/2" radius , #2 (the one with the pickguard above) is 1/4". I'll try 3/8", and possibly 3/16", for more of a LP Jr/Tele-ish kinda look. Any other thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Ooh, another suggestion! The bass side seems a little too straight in that one spot. I noticed something slightly off about that side but couldnt figure out what till now. Maybe you could very slightly round that out on the next one? That one straight line doesn't really fit in with the otherwise very curvy body. And I definitely like the inlayed wood and stripe alot more then the pickgaurd one. The inlayed part really gives it a unique, interesting look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiKro Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 It's flat a$$ ugly!!!!!!!! Bottom line it's a mix of PRS crap and Fender Jag both are crap. Really though it's sorta SEXY!!!!!! Nice lines, and I hope it works out well for you. MK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I may not me wowed by the shape. but I DO really like the bog bound & inlaid wood "pickguard". With it being that big, I don't know if it can really be called a pickguard, bit what else are we to call it? It's a nice, unique aspect. A couple of thoughts on it: 1) I'm not sure the black body with a black stained p/g is working. Too much of the same. If you do this again, maybe try a contrasting or complimenting tone, not the same tone. 2) Consider reversing the scheme. Paint the p/g a solid color and stain the body. When we see a p/g, we expect to see a solid color (or tortoise shell), not stained wood. That doesn't make it WRONG to have the p/g as stained wood, just not what is anticipated. And I can't tell if MiKro is serious on this one or not. Usually I can spot the mood. Hmmmmm... At least he & I agree on what it's a hybrid of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I'm not sure the black body with a black stained p/g is working. Too much of the same. It's actually blue But I get the point. I wish I had something like KISEKAE with my guitar shape to test color schemes before committing it to the wood. I'll try to whip up something quick in Photoshop for the next ones. I'm glad to see the amount of feedback my guitar is getting on various forums, good or bad. Some threads about custom designs get ignored for some reason. This one is at least getting some attention. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I think it would look really cool with a lightly flamed "insert" stained a light red/orange. It would contrast the black body line beautifully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 (edited) I think it would look really cool with a lightly flamed "insert" stained a light red/orange. It would contrast the black body line beautifully. Whoo baby - That would be nice. I'd lean towards a heavily flamed piece or a nice quilt. OR... a burl veneer laminated to whatever is available! Do a multi-tone stain/sand back on the burl. Actually, any of them would be more readily available (and cheaper) as a veneer than as a big piece like that. FWIW: I like the wood bridge. I'm not thinking the color works with the rest of the ax, but the idea and execution are solid. Maybe if it matched the body color... Edited May 6, 2008 by avengers63 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I think it would look really cool with a lightly flamed "insert" stained a light red/orange. It would contrast the black body line beautifully. Whoo baby - That would be nice. I'd lean towards a heavily flamed piece or a nice quilt. OR... a burl veneer laminated to whatever is available! Do a multi-tone stain/sand back on the burl. I totally agree, that'd be nice. FWIW: I like the wood bridge. I'm not thinking the color works with the rest of the ax, but the idea and execution are solid. Maybe if it matched the body color... So you and me are the only ones who like it. And it's quite a pain to machine in my shop, so I'm not even sure the next one will have it. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 i like it.. could probably do with a little refinement but i love the vibe, and i really like the wooden bridge - just not sure it matches the guitar in this case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piedpiperX2000 Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 i LOVE that bottom horn, it's something minimal but imo it adds alot to the "classiness" level of the design, lookin good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKO Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I really like it, reminds me a little of some of scott french's guitars. Thats a good from me as I normally don't like blue guitar finishes! You're right original designs don't get much attention which is a shame. Great work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 Here's what it looks like now, almost ready to go. That picture was taken minutes ago : I still have a few spots I wanna go over with polishing compound and a soft cloth, but it's pretty much done. It's far from perfect, but I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPboco Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 i personally love it- it's stylish funky and retro, i would love to own something like that Awesome design!!! Connor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted May 11, 2008 Report Share Posted May 11, 2008 I agree. It's stylish and funky. Just different enough to be its own thing, but it also looks like something you'd see on the shelves at a music store. Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 The only thing that looks out of place is the headstock. Maybe an ebony overlay would have looked good. I really like it though. Definitely continue to refine this design. It's unique, but classy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 I like the overall look and idea. I think I would have taken the area that is painted black and carved that are though. Not fully around, but just the one side. What type of wood is the neck? Is that ash? The grain just looks really pronounced to be maple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Rainville Posted May 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 (edited) What type of wood is the neck? Is that ash? Yep : Edited May 12, 2008 by Joel Rainville Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 Very classy! If it was a girl, I'd introduce myself! The grain in the neck really compliments the shape too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.