Suggestion for a guitar project... do you think there would be a market?

SlopeSoarer

I've just suggested to Thomann that they do a range of naked set neck guitars so people have the opportunity of finishing a guitar to their own liking. Do you think it would appeal to others?

My thinking behind this is that the likes of Thomann sell bolt neck guitar kits which basically just about assembly and finishing but there is no option for set neck guitars other than buying something to strip a refinish, the vast majority of which will be covered in poly which ain't that easy to get off.

I'd suggest something like Thomann's Junior DC to base the 'naked' project around which are currently sold at an amazing £144.

Does the suggestion have merit?

phil_b

Maybe but the bolt on neck has quite a few advantages for the DIY builder 

Funkfingers

SlopeSoarer said:

Does the suggestion have merit?

Possibly but the correct question to ask is, would this idea be profitable? 

SlopeSoarer

Funkfingers said:

SlopeSoarer said:

Does the suggestion have merit?

Possibly but the correct question to ask is, would this idea be profitable? 

Yeah I suppose it has to be. I don't think there is anything on the market like I'm suggesting, Personally if say Thomann sold say the Junior DC naked at the same price as a fully finished model (£144) I wouldn't think it excessive, in fact I'd see it as pretty amazing value and in theory they must make more money.

Funkfingers

SlopeSoarer said:

Funkfingers said:

SlopeSoarer said:

Does the suggestion have merit?

Possibly but the correct question to ask is, would this idea be profitable? 

Yeah I suppose it has to be. I don't think there is anything on the market like I'm suggesting, Personally if say Thomann sold say the Junior DC naked at the same price as a fully finished model (£144) I wouldn't think it excessive, in fact I'd see it as pretty amazing value and in theory they must make more money.

Who knows? If you ask very nicely and agree to pay up front, Thomann could instruct their suppliers to collate one or two set neck guitar kits.

Once these reach Europe, they could be photographed from every possible angle. Thomann could then test the market by uploading details of the kit and inviting pre-orders. Only once they have firm orders in quantity would they commission a production run.

THINKS: Do you imagine the kit to be supplied with the neck already glued on or not?

SlopeSoarer

Funkfingers said:

SlopeSoarer said:

Funkfingers said:

SlopeSoarer said:

Does the suggestion have merit?

Possibly but the correct question to ask is, would this idea be profitable? 

Yeah I suppose it has to be. I don't think there is anything on the market like I'm suggesting, Personally if say Thomann sold say the Junior DC naked at the same price as a fully finished model (£144) I wouldn't think it excessive, in fact I'd see it as pretty amazing value and in theory they must make more money.

Who knows? If you ask very nicely and agree to pay up front, Thomann could instruct their suppliers to collate one or two set neck guitar kits.

Once these reach Europe, they could be photographed from every possible angle. Thomann could then test the market by uploading details of the kit and inviting pre-orders. Only once they have firm orders in quantity would they commission a production run.

THINKS: Do you imagine the kit to be supplied with the neck already glued on or not?

Although setting a neck in isn't difficult, I'd say the guitar should come with it already set in place, as the project guitars that are on offer from the likes of Thomann and Gear4Music are more about finishing than building.

Who knows, I'll see what, if any reply I get from Thomann:-)

maltingsaudio

My thoughts , 
The cost of producing a set neck unfinished kit with the neck set isn’t going to produce enough margin for it to be profitable. Your adding a lot of human interaction when you glue a neck in as opposed to just wacking some wood through a CNC machine ergo extra cost. 

Don’t think the demand will justify it

WezV

The finishing and final assembly probably account for a large part of the labour cost with these, and thomann could probably sell them at 75-90% of their usual finished price.

It's not a bad idea in principle, and I could see demand for some models like the Juniors being pretty decent... but it would come down to the numbers.

SlopeSoarer

maltingsaudio said:

My thoughts , 
The cost of producing a set neck unfinished kit with the neck set isn’t going to produce enough margin for it to be profitable. Your adding a lot of human interaction when you glue a neck in as opposed to just wacking some wood through a CNC machine ergo extra cost. 

Don’t think the demand will justify it

I agree but they are already selling the guitar I suggest fully built and poly-coated/finished, personally I'd be happy to pay the same price not to have it finished and then being able to do my own thing, I suspect I wouldn't be on my own (but that might be my wishful thinking). I've read many threads about the best way to get a poly-coat off so someone can have a go at putting on their favourite finish.

I think it would be about choosing a few good base guitar models. The most popular build guitar in this 'Making & Modding' section I would suggest would be a LP Junior type guitar, a good starting place.

Again wishful thinking on my behalf:-)

PeteC

Interesting.   I think the appeal for many might be in gluing and setting the neck too rather than in just grain fill and finishes.   Many would be builders are perhaps put off by the big investment in tools to start from scratch but would enjoy the neck fitting and tweaking the angle / heel with block sanding etc (a la PRS)   At least youd feel more invested in the final guitar and it would teach you something about neck angles.   

This way its much easier and cheaper to pack and ship as well 

But there are already kits like this out there surely, but maybe not at this price point ? 

Funkfingers

Given the Harley-Benton scale of production, there could well be a number of reject/seconds for each model. 

For somebody willing to glue and/or fill wood imperfections, the defective bodies might be worth purchasing. Just requires an opaque finish.

SlopeSoarer

Well I haven't had a reply from Thomann it has either gone to the big boss or they just deleted my email:-)

Sarge

This kind of thing is already available.
Here's an example 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363298069100

SlopeSoarer

Sarge said:

This kind of thing is already available.
Here's an example 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363298069100

Fair point.

I'm suggesting a little more complete proposition from a reputable retailer, with just a little less finishing to do. I suspect for some the actual setting of the neck (although very simple if parts fit properly) may stop some from just dipping their toe in to start a guitar project.

It was just a thought.