Custom Electric Guitar Builds
Level 1: The "Bolt-On" Custom Assembly
Estimated Price: $1,200 – $1,800
Best for: Custom configuration using premium off-the-shelf parts tailored to your hardware and pickup choices.
Specs Included:
Professional selection of high-quality, pre-fabricated neck and body components.
Full assembly, neck pocket refinement, and hardware installation.
Setup: Includes nut slotting, action/intonation, and electronics soldering.
Finish: Standard satin or gloss nitro/poly finish provided by manufacturer.
Level 2: The Semi-Custom Spec Build
Estimated Price: $2,000 – $2,800
Best for: Unique wood combinations, specific neck profiles, or custom finish colors.
Specs Included:
Custom-shaped or routed bodies; bespoke neck contouring (soft V, C, U, etc.).
Choice of premium domestic hardwoods (e.g., Alder, Swamp Ash, Maple).
Electronics: Custom pickup pairing and standard wiring schematics.
Finish: Custom solid color or translucent "burst" spray work.
Level 3: The Artisan Custom
Estimated Price: $3,000 – $4,500
Best for: High-end aesthetic appointments, exotic top woods, and specialized wiring configurations.
Specs Included:
Hand-contoured body carving for improved ergonomics and weight relief.
Premium "Grade-A" figured tops (e.g., Flame/Quilted Maple, Walnut).
Electronics: Complex wiring (e.g., coil splitting, phase switching, treble bleeds).
Hardware: Selection of boutique hardware (e.g., Callaham, Hipshot, Gotoh).
Finish: Hand-rubbed oil finishes or professional-grade nitrocellulose lacquer.
Level 4: The Signature Luthier Build
Estimated Price: $5,000 – $7,500
Best for: Serious collectors wanting an instrument built entirely from raw lumber using traditional techniques.
Specs Included:
Full raw-lumber construction: neck and body hand-carved, joined, and shaped from scratch.
Materials: Master-grade woods, including old-growth or rare stock.
Fretboard: Bound necks with premium fretwire and custom inlays.
Advanced Finish: Multi-layered, vintage-correct nitrocellulose finishing process.
Complete setup and "blueprinting" of the instrument for your unique playing style.
Level 5: The Masterpiece Commission
Estimated Price: $8,000 – $12,000+
Best for: One-of-a-kind art pieces or instruments requiring extensive inlay work and rare material sourcing.
Specs Included:
Includes all Level 4 services.
Exotic Appointments: Gold-plated hardware, genuine abalone/mother-of-pearl full fretboard inlays.
Artistry: Carved top, back, or custom relief work on the headstock.
Design: Deep consultation process; instrument designed specifically to solve unique musical or ergonomic requirements.
Extensive documentation, including "build progress" photography and detailed specifications history.
