In addition to our sections focusing on each of bodies, necks, and fretboards, there are also some general design considerations to keep in mind.
Construction
Though we offer customization on almost every aspect, there are a few core points revolving around core construction techniques that are not customizable.
- All of our builds utilize bolt-on necks, though we do offer several options regarding the exact shape and style of the neck joint. We do not offer set-neck or neck-through construction.
- All of our necks and fretboards are composed of two separate pieces. We do not offer “slab” or “skunk stripe” neck construction, where the fretboard and neck are comprised of a single piece of wood.
- All of our angled-headstock necks use a headstock angle of approximately 10 degrees, and are constructed with scarf joints. We do not offer alternate headstock angles or one-piece construction of angled-headstock necks.
Scale Length
Our standard scale lengths are given below. If no other preference is specified, we will use these scale lengths.
| 6-String Guitar | 7-String Guitar | 4-String Bass | 5-String Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.5″ | 26.5″ | 34″ | 34″ |
Baritone guitar scale lengths of 27″ or greater will incur an additional charge for the material usage over shorter scale lengths. The longest scale length we can currently accommodate is 36″.
Customs also have the option of multi-scale configuration, where each string has a different scale length. We have several multi-scale configurations prototyped; using other scale lengths will incur additional design time. When considering a multi-scale instrument, please also keep in mind that multi-scale builds generally require more expensive hardware than standard scales.
Fret count
Our standard fret count options are given below, along with how they correspond to the fretboard end as compared to the neck heel. Specials are limited to these options. Customs may have extended fret counts, depending on other layout constraints, but such will result in additional design charges. Frets can also be omitted entirely for a fretless build.
| 6/7-String Guitar | 4/5-String Bass | Fretboard End |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 21 | Flush |
| 22 | 24 | Extension |
| 24 | Extension |