NGD: signature prototype

[EBMMjpXI7]

Hey guys
just wanted to share this with you, if you see any room for improvement aesthetically please offer suggestions (and if you are able to, illustrate it with a jpg or something so i can see)
anyway, this is a prototype, so please let me know what ya think



i like everything so far, just one lil issue, i told the luthier handling my project for a reversed jackson/esp m2 type but i said do what you think is best with what ideas im giving you, and he combined them in a way and finished it his style , right side up lol but its no biggie, just trying to figure other options besides reversed considering its stephens extended cutaway (any haters, PLEASE don't say this is a washburn nuno, its not at all, customized/designed completely by me and luthier, and nuno/washburn didnt invent or make the EC, its from Stephen Davis Welcome to Stephen's Stringed instruments! )

This was meant to be plain and basic aesthetically in natural unfinished wood, and its meant to be a killer player, or rather a player killer lol, cuz its just built for speed and metal....(PS tried to put 27-29 frets, but that wouldnt fit and or, i had to go to 26.5-27" neck for that)

Specs:

7 strings w/ Stephens cutaway
25.5" scale neck w/ 20" radius [super thin/flat D contour, kind of like XI 7]
22 frets (18-22 scalloped)
Maple on maple neck , w/ 5 piece construction using different maple woods
ash body
lace alumitones w/split coil: deathbucker 7/hum 7
sperzel grip lok tuners
graph tech tusq xl nut
ibanez lo pro edge 7
goeldo back box tremsetter
blank fingerboard w/ custom inlay
3 way splitter, 500k pots, .047 cap

I think thats all the specs

Anyway, please dont bash it, its a prototype that needs some tweaking, so please offer constructive criticism/comments (not "ewwww thats the ugliest rip off of a nuno guitar ever") cuz I put months into its development

Thanks and I hope u guys thinks its cool
Def up there with Maj in terms of playability (of course the Maj looks more gorgeous than anything)

Peace n best

 

[kestrou]

Thus may not apply, but pup switch selector and knobs aren't in a very convenient position if you plan to do any switching while playing.

kestrou

 

[ozzyrules]

One too many strings for me. Lol.

 

[ksandvik]

Be brave and move the volume and tone knobs on the upper section (Jimi Hendrix trick.)

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

The knobs are rather far for articulate playing, the toggle switch is fine. But im not digging the headstock, kinda blocky and bland, if you are doin a custom build an you want this for speed metal than i would made the headstock fast looking and stremlined, and the body leaves a lot to be desired, im not trashing, just being constructive, i think its a cool thing to do a custom build, are you leaving it that color? It would look cool in a neon yellow or green, something unique.

 

[Rachmaninoff]

Strings should go straight from nut to tuners. That angle will add friction on the nut slots.

And I'm not a hater, but hey, it looks a lot like the Washburn N2. Not only because of the cutaway, but the body shape and the control positions. And that's not a bad thing, the N2 is a great model.

 

[Tollywood]

When you say this is a prototype, does that mean if you ask him to do a new neck he would make you another one for free?

I ask that because the headstock looks a little awkward. Mainly, the straight bottom and the sharp edges. The body is so curvaceous and fluid, and the headstock doesn't follow that vibe.

The logo at the 1st fret is really cool.

 

[EBMMjpXI7]

Thus may not apply, but pup switch selector and knobs aren't in a very convenient position if you plan to do any switching while playing.

kestrou

One thing Ive learned from the JP (XI/Majesty)....good point. thank you

Be brave and move the volume and tone knobs on the upper section (Jimi Hendrix trick.)

lol Hendrix trick? You know its just a flipped guitar right? lol

I couldn't do that, aesthetically, but kestrou did have a point

The knobs are rather far for articulate playing, the toggle switch is fine. But im not digging the headstock, kinda blocky and bland, if you are doin a custom build an you want this for speed metal than i would made the headstock fast looking and stremlined, and the body leaves a lot to be desired, im not trashing, just being constructive, i think its a cool thing to do a custom build, are you leaving it that color? It would look cool in a neon yellow or green, something unique.

With that in mind, the knobs arent placed where Id like, but I began designing this and it was already in development before I even tried/bought my EBMM so its something I can def appreciate, and for next build itll be incorporated/fixed. The headstock is (obviously..or maybe not idk) not finished, this is a prototype in that its not what is completely going into final production necessarily.

Now, if you're talking aesthetics of the guitar, I keep things simple: just an instrument, but a ****IN BEAST of one. I do like low profile looks as opposed to extremely flashy. The only thing I am flashy about is color/graphics. But designs, I keep/like simple, if it aint broke, dont fix it (but you can keep bending)....

so body wise, super strat as close as I could get with the unavoidable losses of horn proportion because of the unique stephens neck pocket, but I am totally with you on the headstock. I am really looking for assistance with that, the luthiers have ideas, but im trying to think outside the box.

for example, i thought of cutting a triangle out, like a monkey grip but at the head stock, but I dont know if the tension would hold. What do you think? Can you remove a rather big piece from the headstock without the tension having problems/adjustment

i am thinking of having it in natural finish AND also either a graphic or beautiful color scheme (i like neons a lot too,ESP style)

Strings should go straight from nut to tuners. That angle will add friction on the nut slots.

And I'm not a hater, but hey, it looks a lot like the Washburn N2. Not only because of the cutaway, but the body shape and the control positions. And that's not a bad thing, the N2 is a great model.

Ok, so the headstock should be straight you prefer? The nut slots are made with this type of material that lubricates the strings, so it really isnt too big of an issue for that reason...but is there anything else you might care to add regaurding the aesthetics of the head stock?

do you think a "monkey grip" triangle could be taken out? like a right triangle or something?

thanks guys

 

[EBMMjpXI7]

Thanks man, i really appreciate that

And yes, this is a prototype, that i can have a new neck...so thats why im trying to get feedback, and it needs to be done soon as I have a deadline for signing off on this....

Tollie, can you please maybe spare a few minutes to either mspaint a mockup of an idea to match or perhaps google image a headstock i should ask for emulation?

also, REVERSED? or no?

This is the first of 2, I only get one more neck, and the body is easy to do but if i nail it, i dont have to "pay" for the third, so if you can, i appreciate the help because i trust the taste of people on here, EBMM owners know the best of the best

so thanks again and in advance

 

[Rachmaninoff]

Ok, so the headstock should be straight you prefer? The nut slots are made with this type of material that lubricates the strings, so it really isnt too big of an issue for that reason...but is there anything else you might care to add regaurding the aesthetics of the head stock?

The reason for straight strings on the headstock is to reduce friction, thus improving tuning stability. Even if you have a good nut, it's likely to improve stability. Here's a mockup of your image with my suggestion:



Also, volume and tone knobs seem to be too close to each other.

 

[Tollywood]

I'm thinking about something like George Lynch's hockey stick reverse headstock. Google: george lynch kamikaze, since we aren't supposed to post pics of esps here.

I agree about the knob locations. Notice where the volume knob is on an Axis in relation to the tremolo and bridge pickup? That is exactly what you want. At least, that is exactly what I want. That's the tricky thing here...this is all soooo subjective.

What a classy looking Axis.

 

[Tollywood]

The reason for straight strings on the headstock is to reduce friction, thus improving tuning stability. Even if you have a good nut, it's likely to improve stability. Here's a mockup of your image with my suggestion:

View attachment 25842

Also, volume and tone knobs seem to be too close to each other.

If we're staying with the pointy headstock, this mockup looks much better.

 

[DrKev]

So sorry to rain on this parade but rules are rules - Music Man guitars only please. Official company forum, non-EBMM effects and amplifiers are tolerated but no other guitars and basses please.

Good luck with the project, I hope it works out fantastically for you.