We take a personalized approach to our work here at Variable Guitars. Rather than having lists of options here to choose from, we prefer to work one-on-one with each customer to spec their build. We want to hear what you want from your instrument, and then work together to bring that to life.
We offer two types of builds – Specials and Customs. Specials are a more affordable option for those on a budget, but place constraints on the level of customization in order to achieve that affordability. Customs are open-ended, allowing virtually any customization, with the exception of a few construction techniques that are the same across all of our builds.
Our process is the same for both, running through five phases – planning, design, construction, finishing, and completion.
Planning
Everything starts by submitting our start a build form. This supplies us with core information concerning your prospective build, along with other considerations we need to keep in mind, such as potential export concerns. Upon receiving your submission, we will begin drafting up a new build sheet and then respond to initiate the planning phase.
Our initial communication will be via email, but we can work with you over other channels as well, so please let us know what your communication preferences are. We maintain a public Discord server where you can chat with other current and past customers, and can discuss any aspect of your build over Discord DMs. SMS texting and conventional phone calls are also options, except for certain international customers. As we are a small shop, we do prefer that calls are arranged in advance through some other text-based medium. This is to ensure that we can be available in order to talk with you.
The purpose of the planning phase is to compose your build sheet. Your build sheet is an itemized list of every option, selection, and customization being incorporated into your build. It will become the authoritative document on what is or is not included in your build, and will be the basis on which your final price and invoice(s) will be generated.
Throughout the planning phase, we will discuss every aspect of your build with you, as we work together to turn your ideas into actionable items on your build sheet. If you are undecided about certain aspects, we will work with you so that you can make the most informed decision. Though we present our builds as open-ended, we can provide lists of recommended options for a wide variety of applications upon request. We can also provide pricing estimates for several competing options for cases where budget is a key factor, so don’t hesitate to ask. The planning phase is intended to have a bit of back-and-forth as options are presented and decided, and does not have any set length, nor any financial commitments. Only at the conclusion of the planning phase is payment required, in order to progress your build to the next phase.
The planning phase will conclude when you request finalization of your build sheet, which will generate an invoice. Once payment of the initial deposit is received, your build will be confirmed and ready to proceed to the next phase. As we are a small shop, we have a limited number of work slots available at any given time. If there is a work slot available, your build will proceed to the next phase immediately. Otherwise, your build will enter our backlog until a work slot becomes available. You will be notified about the expected availability of work slots when you request finalization of your build sheet. If your build is placed in the backlog, we will provide periodic updates as to when we expect a work slot will become available, and your build then advance to the next phase.
If your build includes customizations – alterations to our standard templates for bodies, necks, and/or headstocks – and/or custom inlay work, it will then enter the design phase. If your build only uses standard templates and standard inlay patterns, then it will skip the design phase and proceed directly to the construction phase.
Design
During this phase, we will develop and mock-up your desired customizations. This is an iterative process, where we will provide updates and samples for your consideration, receive feedback, and make adjustments. You will provide final approval for each design element.
Change requests can be made during this phase. A change request is a formalized request to add, remove, or modify one or more line items on your build sheet. While your build is still in the design phase, all change requests will be accepted. However, please note the pricing implications as outlined in our pricing & payment section, particularly in regards to special order items and design work already completed.
When every custom design has been approved, your build will then be ready to move to the construction phase. As with moving out of the planning phase initially, there must be an open construction work slot in order for your build to progress. If there is, then it will move onto construction as soon as final approval of the designs has been given. Otherwise, the same backlog process applies, and you will similarly be given estimates and updates as to when your build will move to the next phase.
Construction
The construction phase is where your build will actually begin taking physical shape. Here is where we will actually build and shape the body and neck. If your build includes body contour curves/cuts, we will send periodic photos for your approval regarding the depth and angle of those features. We can also provide similar updates for other operations if requested.
As physical work on your build is occurring during this phase, the ability to accept change requests is limited. Change requests may still be made, but they may or may not be accepted, depending on the status of any work related to the change request. For example, a change request for a different pickup configuration would not be accepted if the pickup cavities have already been routed. On the other hand, a change request for a different color finish would be accepted, as that does not get applied until the next phase.
Finishing
In this phase, your build will receive its actual finish, as well as have the neck fretted, all hardware installed, and electronics wired. Generally, this phase does not have much communication, as by this point all options are locked in and change requests are not accepted.
Completion
The final phase is comprised of setup, testing, and preparing for shipment. If you have expressed a string preference, we will string your instrument accordingly; otherwise we will use the strings noted in our standard selections. Your build will be set up to your preferred action height and intonated in your preferred tuning, which we will confirm with you leading up to this phase.
With your instrument set up and tested, we will send out your final invoice for the outstanding balance on your build. Your instrument will be shipped out (or delivery arranged, for local customers) once we have received this final payment. Customers in the United States can generally expect to receive their instruments within 3 business days of shipment, while most international shipments run around 2 weeks.
Receipt of your completed instrument concludes the process. However, if you should have questions about anything concerning your build even after that point, feel free to reach back out.