FAQ and other INFO
What’s the current build time?
The build time for custom orders is roughly 4-6 months but in some cases it can surpass that timeline due to many factors. Customers will be notified of any delays if and when they occur. There is no exact build time and “roughly 4-6 months” does not 100% guarantee the guitar will be done in that time, that is just the typical average time it takes.
What do the guitars cost?
Cost is based on the chosen specs as options can greatly vary the cost of a build. Typically they fall in the $3000-$4000 range with some coming in a bit below that and if you get real fancy with specs it could probably surpass that by a bit. Best way to know what your build idea will cost is to use the quote forms on the website.
DiMarzio pickups are your standard, what if I want another brand?
There is no problem using another brand of pickup (in most cases) they will just increase the build total as I only have an OEM account with DiMarzio, so any other brands will cost me the same “street price” plus tax and shipping that they cost anyone else, thus increasing build cost.
The one caveat of pickup brands that are an option are Seymour Duncan Trembuckers. They are oversized pickups unlike every other brands “F-Spaced” 51-53mm pickups that use standard size bobbins and baseplates. Since the Duncan Trembuckers are oversized they will not fit my routes and I will not change my route shape to fit one brands oversized pickup.
How does the CUSTOM order process work?
After you contact me using either the 1981 or JD spec list contact form on the website I will email you back answering any questions you have and most likely asking you questions to dial in your build idea. This can be many emails bouncing around ideas, that’s fine with me to get you to the guitar you want in the end.
At that point I will give you a quote on your build. If you agree to place the order a PDF spec list is sent for you to “OK”. If all the options are correct on the finalized PDF spec list a deposit to start the build can be made.
The deposit is a 50% non-refundable (for any reason) percentage of the total build cost. This can be paid via PayPal or by mailing a check old school snail mail style. If you do not have a PayPal account the PayPal invoice can be paid via credit card without need to set up an account with them.
Once the deposit is made absolutely no specs on the order can be changed for any reason (other than paint color) . You can’t decide you want different model pickups, different color hardware or a rosewood fretboard instead of maple 3 months into the order, sorry.
Your paint color choice can change a few months into the build when I email you pics of the raw body and neck letting you know it’s ready for paint. At that point if you wanted to paint the body a different color that is no problem and if there is added cost for a fancier paint job it can be added to the remaining payment for the guitar.
Once the guitar is completely assembled and strung up a photo of it is sent to the customer and the remaining amount of the total payment is due before the guitar ships. At this point about another 2 weeks is needed for the guitar to acclimate to being a guitar under string tension and no longer a pile of wood and for it to receive its final adjustments and setup.
Photos are taken of the guitar for the website and sent for the customer to see their completed guitar.
The guitar is boxed up and shipped.
can I call you to discuss ordering a guitar and spend hours talking about various things hoping we both remember all those details at the end of the call?
No. All order information for custom guitars is done via email so there is a “paper trail” of info for both of us to look back on. If your guitar is painted blue and you swear you ordered red we have not only the PDF of specs to look back at but also a chain of emails discussing options to see who made the mistake.
Can I pick the wood for my guitar?
No.
Can I send you wood to use for my guitar?
No.
Can I send you hardware or pickups to use on my guitar?
Possibly, feel free to ask me about this. Drop shipping pickups you purchase from brands I normally don’t deal with is typically no problem. However, I will not use random hardware brands that I normally don’t use on my guitars.
Can I buy just a raw body or raw neck?
No.
Can you send me the parts to paint myself then I can send them back for you to complete the build?
No.
Can you build me a guitar with a “Insert any famous brand here” headstock shape?
No.
Can you build me a guitar with a body shape not seen anywhere on your website or a copy of another brand's body shape?
No.
Can I design my own guitar and have you build it?
No.
Option “X” is not listed within the choices on your contact form, can I get that option?
No. If it’s not on the list, odds are it’s not an option. You can ask though, as some off menu things (reverse angled neck and or middle single coils for example) are doable, but others are just not options. Reverse headstocks for example are not an option, tried that on DA.005 and didn’t like it, dropped the option after that test. My nut width, heel width, radius and fret size are all set in stone along with my proprietary oiled neck finish and there are no options in those areas as they are a big part of what makes my guitars, my guitars.
Can I still order the old square heel with neck plate style body joint?
No, that has been permanently retired in favor of my own design contoured body and matching neck heel.
“I know it’s not an option but just for me could you…”
No. (seriously, people actually ask like this.)
Do you still make the 1950, 1954, 1978 or 1984 models.
No. They could make a comeback sometime but as of now they are retired.
Do you offer a 24 fret model?
Currently I do not as the 1984 model (my 24 fret guitar) has been retired, but it may make a comeback at some point.
Do you offer a neck through or set neck option?
Currently I do not as I am an avid bolt on guitar fan and that’s what I want to build. That said a set neck version may come at some point down the road, maybe.
“Why don’t you offer … ?”
This is the beauty of having my own guitar brand, I don’t have to cater to everyone and can build the guitars I’m proud to have my name on the headstock of. The goal is to create guitars players are happy to play that I’m happy to have my name on and not just pump out guitars I’m not happy with just to make a sale.
I’m a rockstar, youtuber, instagrammer or other “influencer”, can you give me a guitar?
No. Even if I had a poster of you playing guitar on my wall growing up Mr or Mrs rockstar you’re still paying for your guitar, ok, maybe a lot less than everyone else in that case, but no free rides!