What kind of timeframe can I expect?
The time required for each build can be highly variable, but estimates will be given during the planning phase. Our minimum quoted build time is six weeks, not including any active backlog. You will also be advised of your approximate position in the backlog queue during the planning phase, with your position being locked-in upon finalization of your build sheet.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we have no problems working with customers outside of the United States. You may also choose to use a proxy shipping service if you prefer. In such cases, please note that we must be informed of the final destination country during planning, as some wood choices are subject to export restrictions and therefore not eligible for builds destined for certain countries.
Do you offer left-handed instruments?
Absolutely. Anything we make can be ordered right- or left-handed. However, note that some hardware is not available for left-handed configurations.
What scale lengths / fret counts do you offer?
Please refer to our general design considerations, which cover both topics.
Do you offer multi-scale instruments?
Yes, though please note that multi-scale builds incur additional costs due to a number of factors.
Do you offer headless instruments?
No, not at this time. However, we do plan on offering them in the future.
Do you offer scalloped fretboards?
No, at this time we are not offering scalloped fretboards.
Can I get a body/headstock that looks just like <X>?
We will not copy body or headstock designs without express written permission from the original designer/manufacturer. We can take inspiration and pay homage to others’ designs, but we will not attempt to reproduce an existing design without permission.
Can I send you <X> to be included in my build?
Sorry, we do not accept woods, hardware, or other components from customers.
Where can I see a sample of a particular wood?
We can provide representative sample photos of most of our wood options on request. You may also find it useful to research wood species using The Wood Database.
Can I pick the specific piece of wood for my build?
We generally do not allow selecting specific pieces of wood, but for some instances this may be possible. Please inquire during the planning phase if this is something that you feel strongly about.
Do you offer hollow or semi-hollow bodies?
No, at this time we do not offer hollow or semi-hollow bodies. We can perform weight relief on bodies using a separate top wood, but currently only offer solidbody-type guitars and basses.
Do you offer custom inlay and/or engraving?
Yes, we do. However, we do not handle the actual designs for anything other than simple geometric shapes. For such designs, we require the necessary shape(s)/graphic(s) in SVG format. We can merely engrave the design, or we can fill the resulting area with inlay material, with the available materials varying based on the size and complexity of the design.
Do you offer zero-fret configuration?
No, we do not offer zero-frets at present. Only traditional hand-cut nuts, or locking nuts in the case of tremolo-equipped guitars.
Where are your OEM components made?
The country of origin for our OEM components is a mix of Korea and China, with specific items being either one or the other.
Do you include a case?
We do not include a hard case or gig bag by default, but options will be presented during the planning phase for you to add one. If you opt to add a case or gig bag, your instrument will ship in it. Note that this can significantly impact shipping costs in some cases, which is one reason why our default is to offer the instrument alone.