Since our focus is full custom builds, we do not have published price lists for every possible option. However, we can provide some general guidelines on what to expect. We provide two general types of builds, with different base pricing: Specials and Customs.

Base Pricing

The base price is for a fully-functional instrument, but with the most economical choices for hardware, electronics, and woods. All other selections and customizations build on top of the given base price.

Note that we can accommodate other configurations – such as 8-string guitars and 6-string basses – as Customs, with pricing varying based on the details of the specific configuration. Please inquire if you are interested in one of these less-common configurations.

Specials

Specials provide an affordable option, but achieve this by limiting their options to what is most efficient for us to produce. Bodies must use one of our standard templates and may only be flat-top (no carved tops), but standard body contour and edge treatment options are still available. Headstocks must similarly use a standard template. Scale length must be selected from our standard list, with alternate lengths and/or multi-scale configurations not offered on Specials. Non-standard nut widths and fret counts are also not available. Wood options are limited to what we have in stock, though at times that may include woods that are in the Regular or Irregular categories. Laminate construction is not offered on Specials, for either necks or bodies. Ferrule-based sculpted neck joints are likewise not available. Inlays are limited to standard dots (either large or small), but customization of the inlay layout is still available at standard rates. Binding options are limited to fretboards (no headstocks or bodies) and only single-ply, solid colors. Any of our standard recommendations for tuners may be selected. Bridges are limited to our hardtail OEM options, while pickups may either be OEM or upgraded to name-brand models. All finish options are available at their standard rates.

Please keep in mind that even for Specials, the base price is just that – a base price, and not all-inclusive. Some things are available at no cost – like choosing the edge radius for rounded-edge bodies – but others incur additional cost. This includes things such as selecting certain hardware colors, woods, or pickup configurations, among others.

Customs

Customs allow for virtually any level of customization to the design, as well as unrestricted component selection. Our standard designs may be hybridized or modified, or you may even work with us to develop a wholly new body and/or headstock design. Non-standard nut widths and scale lengths are also available, as is more complicated inlay and engraving work. Special order items, such as particularly exotic woods, may be selected on Customs, though note that these carry additional pricing and payment considerations that are further discussed below.

Please note that a few aspects cannot be changed on any of our builds, as outlined in our general design considerations.

Pricing Considerations

Your selections of wood, hardware, and electronics add the difference between the selected components and those included in the base price. Some selections also add labor charges as part of their cost. For example, selecting a HSH or SSS pickup configuration on a guitar incurs a small amount of extra labor for the additional pickup cavity routing. Another example is the neck joint, as it is not only the cost of the plate (or ferrules) itself, but also the additional shaping work.

All customizations – design and/or layout changes to the body, neck, and headstock – build on top of the base price. This additional pricing varies, in large part based on the amount of design and templating time required. For example, asking to combine features from our existing templates will be less costly than adding new, unique features, which will in turn be less than developing an entire new design from scratch.

Note that certain customizations and/or selections may combine with one another in certain scenarios, resulting in a different price than if only one of the customizations or selections was made alone. For example, choosing to have two separate top and back colors on a bound body is slightly more expensive than a straight two-color burst, as the dual-color option requires additional labor for masking and scraping, even though both use the same two paint colors. As an example in the other direction, selecting to use an opaque body finish may result in a reduced price for certain body wood options, as some woods are available at reduced rates depending on their appearance grade.

Estimates can be provided throughout the planning phase – if you are trying to decide between several options and price would be a factor, let us know during planning and we can give you estimates for all of the requested options.

Payment

We require a deposit before work begins on a new build. The deposit amount is 20% of the total build cost (excluding any shipping or taxes), plus the cost of any special order items. The remaining balance, plus any applicable shipping and/or taxes, is due before the build will be shipped / delivered.

For customers in the United States, you will receive an electronic invoice, which can be paid electronically using any major credit or debit card. Local customers may opt to pay in person using cash or check. For typical builds, you will receive a total of two invoices – one for the initial deposit, and then another with the remaining balance upon completion of your build.

For international customers, we do not have a singular process at this time. Generally, we can also accept most credit / debit cards electronically in a similar manner to our US customers, but this may vary depending upon your country. The payment options will be discussed with you at the start of initial planning, so there will be no surprises by the time your build sheet is finalized.

Special Orders

As stated previously, any items on your build noted as special order require upfront payment with the initial deposit. This is not an additional fee, but rather merely shifting more of the final payment to being at the time of deposit. This is necessary in order to cover the cost of ordering these uncommon (and often expensive) items.

Change Requests

After your build sheet has been finalized and the initial deposit paid, a formal change request is necessary to add, remove, or modify line items on your build sheet, and therefore the total price of your build. Change requests will be accommodated whenever possible, with the pricing difference being reflected in your remaining balance. There is no fee for a change request itself, but accepted change requests may prompt additional charges.

If you cancel or substitute a special order item, there is a 10% restocking fee if the item has already been ordered. That is, if we have already ordered the special order item requested to be removed, you will only receive 90% credit on your remaining balance.

If you add a new special order item, we require payment for that item at the time of accepting the change request, in the same manner as special order items are handled with initial deposits. As with that case, this is not an extra fee, but merely accounts for the price difference immediately rather than rolling it into your balance.

Change requests modifying or removing selections / customizations cannot negate the cost of work already completed. If the change request is accepted, you will only receive partial credit for the original line item(s) based on the extent of work completed. Not all change requests for items on which work has been completed will be accepted – for example, a change request for a different pickup configuration will not be accepted if the pickup cavities have already been routed.

Refunds

If you wish to cancel your order before work has commenced on it, your deposit will be refunded, less a 10% restocking fee on any special order items that were already ordered.

Deposits are considered non-refundable once work has commenced. We may issue partial refunds of deposits at our discretion on a case-by-case basis, depending on the extent of work already completed.

Change requests that reduce the cost of your build will not result in a refund of any deposit. Reducing the price of your build with a change request only affects the remaining balance due at the time of completion.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs are calculated as part of finalizing your build sheet. For customers within the United States, we advise budgeting for a shipping cost of $100. This is generally high enough to cover most cases, meaning that you won’t be caught off-guard by higher shipping costs than expected. International rates can vary considerably, but from our experience thus far, they generally start at $150 USD for lighter builds shipped without hard cases.

If your shipping address changes before completion, then shipping will be recalculated and your remaining balance updated.

If you have an accepted change request that alters the shipping weight and/or dimensions – such as adding a hard case – then accepting the change request will also include recalculating shipping costs and updating your remaining balance.

Taxes & Duties

For customers in the state of Ohio, Variable Guitars will collect the required sales tax.

For all other customers, the customer is responsible for any and all taxes, import duties, and/or customs fees. Please consult your local taxing authority for information.