The start of an electric
We've decided that it's probably a good idea to give eletrics a go, it'll give me a chance to work with lots more finishing techniques (like glitter if Jim will allow it) and Jim can get back to his musical roots (metal). We're prototyping at the moment, which means lots of CAD work to get the templates right (and repeatable if we muck them up).
The current model we're designing has the working title "Ikigai". Ikigai is a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being" or slightly more simple, the reason to get up in the morning. This concept embodies our work as Luthiers and our customers reason for playing.
I've never really been a huge guitar enthusiast (or at least I wasn't up until starting my degree) and from then I've found some steep learning curves when it comes to tinkering, or designing the internal systems of an electric guitar. Luckily there are plans out there to get us started, but that doesn't make it easier to know whose pickups we're going to install (though we're pretty sure we'll be using ones that are handmade in the UK) Let us know in the comments below who you'd go with?
Let's get something straight, I'm a hardcore geek when it comes to extremely specific subjects, okay that might be a bit of an overstatement, but a couple of weeks ago I managed to go full k-hole on the subject of DIY satellites (and how hard it would be to put a home made satellite into space on a home made rocket...). So bare that in mind when I say that last week we started looking into what wire would connect the components inside the guitar itself. Do we use "vintage" cloth covered wire, should it be coaxial, why are certain types of wire frowned upon? All these questions and we don't even know what pickups we want to use. Luckily there is (a there is for most situations nowadays) a podcast about it. The fantastic Dylan Talks Tone, from Dylan Pickups, alright it's still one guys opinion but he's one guy who has been in sound engineering for about 30 years (so he's got 5 years on my life). It's a straight talking show with user driven content (be those users fans of guitars or makers after a bit of tech knowledge) and an interesting weekly show. His verdict on the wire is just (as we thought) spend as much as you can on something high quality (with some other nuances that I can't quite recall). If you want to check it out, the episodes are on YouTube & at www.dylantalkstone.com.
As well as working on the electric side of things, we're in the process of expanding our range to include a Grand Symphony. Think the curves of the Meridian, with the depth and size of a Jumbo. The first one to come out will be Indian Rosewood back & sides, an Alpine Spruce top and our pinless bridge. It will also be the first instrument to have Black Tusq XL nut & saddle.
That's about it from me for now, We're in the middle of putting out a batch of violin shaped cheeseboards for Music Room Direct, which will be available to purchase soon.