I am considering another guitar build. The difference this time is that instead of trying new things (though that'll probably happen), the aim is to build my ideal "the one" guitar. So this may be a bit bloggy; I'm not closed to suggestions, but it may be thinking out loud.
So... The bits I know.
6 strings, standard tuning
Floating non-locking tremolo - very likely a G&L Dual Fulcrum if I can get one
Locking tuners
Darkish fretboard - I have bocote, ziricote, kingwood, and cocobolo to hand
640mm scale (about 25.2")
Offset - either modified JM or modified Sporkbasster
Scratchplate
Vol and two tones - one treble cut, one bass cut, G&L style
The bits I don't know but have ideas:
Two buckers (probably P90-sized), or lipsticks and bridge bucker
Maybe a Sustainiac if I can work out the controls and keep them simple (maybe on a little Jag-style plate)
Blue or green. Candy or flake or flip.
Maybe piezos, but again subject to keeping the controls usable
Probably bolt-on, but tempting to do set neck for once
"[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
Comments
I found this that I did a while ago, and might be a good starting point.
Eqd Speaker Cranker clone
Monte Allums TR-2 Plus mod kit
Trading feedback: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/60602/
If I did a Jaguar style top horn control plate that could have on/off for the Sustainiac, with the two roller pots doing Sustainiac intensity and sustain/harmonic mode (I think - need to look up the Sustainiac wiring again). Or maybe just two slider switches for the Sustainiac. Or push/push pots. I don't know. Maybe better to avoid the kitchen-sink approach, but I do really enjoy how they play.
I would use the SPB1 headstock (though bigger), which is a bit Ibanez/Parker mashup.
I have a habit of making headstocks too small.
Would definitely work on an offset.
Strandberg. I was once allowed to hold an eight string one briefly. The bevelled neck profile reminded of my Chapman Stick.
The problem is one of stability. I've got a couple of guitars which are really thin, and the heel is necessarily even thinner. That causes problems when retuning, even just from standard to drop - the joint flex affects the rest of the strings almost as much as a floating trem. The SEC joint fixes that, thankfully, while still allowing complete freedom up at the top end for stumpy-fingered folk like me.
Also: it would be remiss of me not to mention Lace Sensors as an option for the pickups.
That's the feller - thanks. I'm going conventional neck profile though so the Nitefly approach is probably simpler.
Volume, Treble, and Bass knobs.
Freeway 3X3-03 or 3B3-01 with the "up" position adding piezo - can't have piezo on its own but I mostly like it for adding spank and making evil noises with distortion.
Push-push pots to activate the Sustainiac and put it into Harmonic mode.
I think that's quite straightforward and won't look like an explosion in a switch factory.
I don't mean to knock the Fernandes - it's perfectly decent - but my tendency to want to overthink and overcomplicate everything makes the Sustainiac the better option. Also I've got one spare.
Strongly considering these two pickups because they look ace.
Actually, no, I wouldn't. They have boring dot inlays, no piezo, and no Sustainiac. Though I do like them.