My BvanS Striatus

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Chabenda

On my last trip to SA I had the absolute pleasure of meeting and staying with Neon Gecko. What an incredibly talented guy!

After looking at the instruments that they have in stock, I decided to get a Striatus made for myself to my specifications. Neon Gecko has been working on some 3D pictures and these are the first. The build kicks off at the end of this month!
I'm excited!

Pick ups are BvanS neck single and a Seymour Duncan Vintage bridge. I also want the old style three saddle bridge.

peterleroux

Very tasty.

Tele + Rick-style soundhole looks great

studmissile

I've played those before, wonderful guitars. Although I dunno about the blue, I'd go for a traditional burst or sonic blue, or surf green. Either way stunning guitar. Good for you Chabenda. Look forward to seeing the real deal!

P.S. Those should read Made in Benoni RSA!

StefStoep

Nice! I like it!

Mmmm, i always wanted a thinline T-style with P90's. Maybe i need to speak to Mr. Gecko.

Chabenda

The blue goes with my eyes!

+1 for Made in Benoni!

Senhor Gecko is a great guy to talk to Stef

GAS.....

chris77

:applause: Niiiiiice....Looks great! Love the soundhole and the blue as well. You just know Neon will nail a translucent finish like that and the end result will be spectacular.
If she was to be mine I would have been tempted to throw a set of tv jones classics on her or two low output 'buckers - but that would change het into something entirely different than what you are looking for

. Can't wait to see the real thing!

Attila

Chabenda wrote: The blue goes with my eyes!

agree red and blue goes nicely

congrats Chab-man

Wayne has skills for sure

Chabenda

Neon Gecko is a genius!

Attila

Chabs,

If I may .... the vol, tone and selector switch seem be too close to each other in the illustration , that is if you like to roll on and off the volume during solos.

And I think I saw a photo of you doing this at jhb get together , just saying boss....... just saying

Chabenda

Thanks Attila, noted. I don't envisage too much of a problem though. I have small hands.

The Jhb pic caught me desperately trying to kill some of the treble off the back pickup (yes, the selector switch is wired arse about face).

Attila

ahhh Bill Kirchen style

Chabenda

Attila Barath wrote: ahhh Bill Kirchen style

I can't remember the reason for it now (stupidity most likely) but it's been like that for over 20 years.

Chabenda

The head stock render!

AlanRatcliffe

Looks great Chabenda.

One thing - personally I think the traditional ashtray bridge is part of the sound of a Tele-style guitar. Is there a specific reason you are going with a hybrid Strat hardtail/Tele bridge?

Chabenda

Thanks Alan.

I think that there are a couple of factors that govern what happens with the design. The first is obviously what do I want it to look, feel and sound like. I was keen on the lighter weight of the Striatus.

The second is what does the builder want? I am really happy to let Neon Gecko go to town on it. I want it to be a labour of love on his part and for him to also have a major say. The Striatus usually has TV Jones type pickups and uses a different bridge so that is one of the reasons for the short bridge, I think.

The guitar is also going to have its own soul and say too.

I have two standard Tele's so if this sounds different (as it will) that should make a nice change.

Edit: I have never had a hassle with the three saddle tele bridges as far as intonation is concerned and most of my playing is done in the first 15 frets.

ZarK

Sjoe... Me likey... A lot...

I've been perving over a Jim Adkins Thinline Tele in natural finish for a while now but I think a custom Gecko Special might be the better way to go if/when I take the plunge.

Think you're going to love it!

Chabenda

Thanks Zark!

I had a '73 Thinline with the humbuckers (another one that I should never have sold) and always wondered what it would have sounded like with single coils.

Senhor Gecko is a great guy to deal with and gets as excited and eager as you do! That makes the guitar even more special.

Keira-WitherKay

yes looks great .... and the choice of luthier is great

however i saw you said you leaving a lot up to the builder (who by the way is top class

) BUT i have yet to meet any 2 players who are 100% happy with each others specs..... i know a roomfull of players who all love tele's as their no 1 instrument and every one will want different specs or the combination of specific specs...yet they all tele's

that said i would add my 2c worth and say be very specific in what you want ....fretboard radius/neck profile/overall weight/position of control knobs and switch's/balance of the guitar on strap and sitting / tuners cos vintage tuners need different holes to modern tuners....

pickups are the easy fix...and usually easily swopped out ...but the rest of the guitar needs to be spot on to your spec.... if you gonna be happy with it at the end of it all..... since most custom builds tend to be pricey too so unless neon gecko has a full refund/return policy if you NOT happy then rather err on the side of making all the spec requirements yourself....and obviously if it's impossible or a problem the luthier will advise you ....

Chabenda

Thanks Keira. We have pretty much gone through the hardware. I have been quite specific regarding the pick ups and tuners that I want.

The neck has also been decided on so I think that just about covers it.

The bridge obviously is an odd one. I'm quite content though to accept this guitar, as it comes, under the specs that we have established, and see where it takes my playing.

slyd

Man, that is going to be beaut!

Keep us in the loop, as far as pics go, . . . . Iwannasee, Iwannasee