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Post subject: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:58 am
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This may come across as a stupid question but I really would like your opinions. Consider this a very informal and unscientific market test. :lol:

Would any of you builders be interested in a neck/body combo based on the images below? Assume that, other than the neck/body joint, the setup is parts compatible with a standard American strat. The guitar in the picture is not really compatible with Fender. It is 24 fret design which requires a different pickup spacing which, in turn, requires a non-compatible pickguard.

The advantage of the guitar below is that is maintains the look of the Strat but utilizes a modern neck joint. Theoretically it should provide easier upper register playing, particularly for folks like myself that have relatively small hands. :(

Image
Image

BTW, that is a bolt on in the images above so the advantages of a bolt on design are not lost.

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 12:05 pm
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That looks interesting. It's got the single-bolt neck joint like on some Taylor guitars. I'd like to try something like this out....it may get me to play more on the dusty end of the neck.


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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 12:48 pm
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Looks cool to me... I'd make some modifications to it personally. Like a bottom mount jack and a pool route to accommodate a H/S/H or H/H/H configuration. Also... a hardtail option for tune-o-matic or wraparound PRS style bridge. I like the shape of it, being strat-like, but I wouldn't recreate other strat-like elements if I were going to build it up from scratch. Not sure if any of my rambling helps or not...


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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:02 pm
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In short .... Yes .... But I need more info, on this.
I would suspect that Ceri, Andy Big Hair, Xhefri, The Nutter, Martian and other's would like to know a bit more on this build.....

I'm not a great fan of a 24 neck guitar but 21 or 24 frets, for me it is about the body to neck connection and what appears to be a solution to one of the issues with the bolt (screw on ) Fender set up. I often play up in the second octave registers and the body /neck heel has always been a less than ideal set up. Or comfort is the key.
If you look at the Fender Custom Shop book " The Dream Factory ", there is a segment on set necks starting on page 144. It features Michael Stevens and his work...
I have always wanted to expand to the set neck's smooth heel but while at the same time retaining the pitch ( body to neck plane angle for those wondering 8 ) adjustability that a bolt on neck provides.

I think it could be feasible to either dedicate a thread to this and thereby collaborate on our various ideas or perhaps most of the discussion may have to be done thru PM's..

This of course is with the understanding that we are not stepping on our Forum's Host proprietary designs....

I just rough cut to contour shape 2 Stratocaster bodies and 1 Telecaster body out of a single Ash baulk. ( 7' lenght x 13"3/4 width x 1"7/8th thickness ) That at the moment leaves me with 5 body builds ( including the Figured Maple Stratopartster and the figured Walnut Telepartster ). These latter two's are all set as to how I will build them but the other three are definitely open for experimentation ....

BTW .... Nice studio prop shot set up,

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:26 pm
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The photos are not mine and I did not build these guitas. I linked these photos from a company called "Black Mesa". It is a full custom guitar builder that is going out of business and is selling his company. I am not going to buy the company as I have very little skill in custom building guitars and my day job pays to well. :mrgreen:

However, the innovative body/neck joint employed by Black Mesa is one of the best solutions that I've seen for a strat style guitar. The fact that it can be done while maintaining the look of a traditional Strat is icing on the cake for me.

It is also unique in that the neck bolts under the body. Usually it's the opposite with the neck on top of the body. This connection along with the strategic placement of the single bolt might cause the string tension to pull the neck/body contact tighter which should increase sustain - that's an educated guess which could be wrong.

I suggested to the owner that there might be a market for his neck joint and might consider selling bodies and necks or kits. He wasn't interested.

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Last edited by mhowell on Mon Feb 18, 2013 3:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:50 pm
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heck ya I'd rock that strat


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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 2:38 am
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I've been waiting for this a long time!!

Put on a Floyd Rose and I'm in!
Of course I'd have to play it first but I always wanted a "traditional" Strat with 24 frets and Floyd Rose. If it's of good quality, sound and playability, I'd throw away my Ibanez, which I own for just THAT reason: 24 frets & Floyd!

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:57 am
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I went to the website and it's not very user friendly, so I wouldn't expect the owner to also be conducive to inquiries on the mechanics....
This is pretty much a pass for me, as I'm not in the least bit interested in buying out a failed venture. There is enough technology to be able to develop your own proprietary neck joint without stepping onto anyone else's design. It's unfortunate but there are no links to the mechanics, hence I suspect that there may not be any patent's reflecting his design(s).

I thought when you ( OP ) introduced this thread that it was your own design and research but since that is not the case then collaboration inquiries are just not feasible....
I remember coming upon this site a couple years ago, the intro photo threw me as I hadn't seen this particular guitar....
I would be curious as to what the ask price is for a Buy-out but, to me the fact that the proprietor sites that an inventory into the current value of the brand, tools, inventory of wood stock is yet to be determined in lieu of current uncompleted production raises a large Caveat... :?

If anyone knows any pertaining details it would make this thread interesting, otherwise this is pretty much a dead-end.

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:01 pm
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mhowell wrote:
However, the innovative body/neck joint employed by Black Mesa is one of the best solutions that I've seen for a strat style guitar. The fact that it can be done while maintaining the look of a traditional Strat is icing on the cake for me.

Hi mhowell: yes, I well remember you talking about this company and your interest in the neck heel.

I must admit, the photo of the back is confusing me. It looks for all the world like the guy has routed out a long slot into the back of the body into which fits an equally long tenon from the neck. As far as I can see the spring cavity has then been carved into all of that. But that should mean the neck is glued in - so I have no idea what that bolt is doing there.

Is the neck really not glued in after all? If not, I don't quite see the point. But it's certainly a completely unique approach to a bolt-on, if that's what it is.

Whatever, it's a very pretty guitar. Everything looks gorgeous, in the Super-Strat mould. Love that neck and fingerboard - I'd be most curious to see more of the headstock, if you have other photos? I can't quite see if the peghead tilts back or no.

Are you thinking of buying? Not the company, obviously, but the guitar? :)

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:40 pm
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I think he should buy the company.

8)

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Nutter


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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:42 pm
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The_Nutter wrote:
I think he should buy the company.

8)

Hee-hee - I think you should! :D

Cheers - C

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 1:54 pm
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Ceri wrote:
The_Nutter wrote:
I think he should buy the company.

8)

Hee-hee - I think you should! :D

Cheers - C


He thinks you should! :D

Now we are round the roses once. Rock Paper Scissors?

8)

Cheers

Nutter


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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:48 pm
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Ceri wrote:
mhowell wrote:
However, the innovative body/neck joint employed by Black Mesa is one of the best solutions that I've seen for a strat style guitar. The fact that it can be done while maintaining the look of a traditional Strat is icing on the cake for me.

Hi mhowell: yes, I well remember you talking about this company and your interest in the neck heel.

I must admit, the photo of the back is confusing me. It looks for all the world like the guy has routed out a long slot into the back of the body into which fits an equally long tenon from the neck. As far as I can see the spring cavity has then been carved into all of that. But that should mean the neck is glued in - so I have no idea what that bolt is doing there.

Is the neck really not glued in after all? If not, I don't quite see the point. But it's certainly a completely unique approach to a bolt-on, if that's what it is.

Whatever, it's a very pretty guitar. Everything looks gorgeous, in the Super-Strat mould. Love that neck and fingerboard - I'd be most curious to see more of the headstock, if you have other photos? I can't quite see if the peghead tilts back or no.

Are you thinking of buying? Not the company, obviously, but the guitar? :)

Cheers - C


It's definitely a bolt on. Check out the builders description of the system.

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:53 pm
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53magnatone wrote:
I went to the website and it's not very user friendly, so I wouldn't expect the owner to also be conducive to inquiries on the mechanics....
This is pretty much a pass for me, as I'm not in the least bit interested in buying out a failed venture. There is enough technology to be able to develop your own proprietary neck joint without stepping onto anyone else's design. It's unfortunate but there are no links to the mechanics, hence I suspect that there may not be any patent's reflecting his design(s).

I thought when you ( OP ) introduced this thread that it was your own design and research but since that is not the case then collaboration inquiries are just not feasible....
I remember coming upon this site a couple years ago, the intro photo threw me as I hadn't seen this particular guitar....
I would be curious as to what the ask price is for a Buy-out but, to me the fact that the proprietor sites that an inventory into the current value of the brand, tools, inventory of wood stock is yet to be determined in lieu of current uncompleted production raises a large Caveat... :?

If anyone knows any pertaining details it would make this thread interesting, otherwise this is pretty much a dead-end.


I couldn't buy the company for any more than the price of his tools and remaining materials. In a custom shop I don't see how his past sales and earnings would be a relevant consideration toward valuation.

I do think his neck joint is innovative but he does not hold a patent so there's no intrinsic value there either.

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Post subject: Re: Question for builders and DIYers
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 8:56 pm
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Ceri wrote:
mhowell wrote:
However, the innovative body/neck joint employed by Black Mesa is one of the best solutions that I've seen for a strat style guitar. The fact that it can be done while maintaining the look of a traditional Strat is icing on the cake for me.

Hi mhowell: yes, I well remember you talking about this company and your interest in the neck heel.

I must admit, the photo of the back is confusing me. It looks for all the world like the guy has routed out a long slot into the back of the body into which fits an equally long tenon from the neck. As far as I can see the spring cavity has then been carved into all of that. But that should mean the neck is glued in - so I have no idea what that bolt is doing there.

Is the neck really not glued in after all? If not, I don't quite see the point. But it's certainly a completely unique approach to a bolt-on, if that's what it is.

Whatever, it's a very pretty guitar. Everything looks gorgeous, in the Super-Strat mould. Love that neck and fingerboard - I'd be most curious to see more of the headstock, if you have other photos? I can't quite see if the peghead tilts back or no.

Are you thinking of buying? Not the company, obviously, but the guitar? :)

Cheers - C

The guitar is not for sale and I'm not interested in the company. I was until I made some inquiries. It's strictly a custom guitar shop and there are no patents on the neck joint.

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