NorioDS
A mate/client of mine has a small factory he's been running for a number of years now where he's been making custom parts for airplanes (read: precision!) and now has started making custom parts for bikes, to put the machines to good use while the economy is a bit down.
The question is, is there a demand for metal parts for guitars in this country and, if so, do you know someone who will work with this guy to start making them? The idea is that it could be cheaper to make them here!
I'm not a techie so I really need you techie peeps with guitar-building experience or guitar-part replacing experience to chime in here. Even if you've only ever done one guitar ever. What metal parts did you use? Where can we find specs on parts? What's something we can make locally that almost any guitar could use?
NorioDS
This dude's offering that if you can give him a sample of what needs creatin', he'll make it for you for free provided you review it for him on here.
Manfred-Klose
The thing is that bridges and tuners are fairly cheap to buy.
But i'll be needing a truss rod, that is hard to find, its better to make a truss rod than to buy one.
Anyone else on this forum in need of truss rods?
AlanRatcliffe
Norio
I have specs, measurements, know the metal types used and know which designs/features are the best. I've tried 'em all. I've got examples of many of the bits & pieces too.
Bridges and trems are well covered by guys like Callaham, Glendale and DeTemple for the quality stuff and Wilkinson, Cor-Tek and Gotoh for the cheaper versions. The cheaper stuff is easy to get and is... well... cheap, but there are a few of the smaller parts not made by a quality, precision manufacturer.
There isn't enough demand locally to supply a constant income, so that would mean going global. To make money globally it would mean either doing quality variants at lower prices (Callaham & Glendale bridges retail at $125), or covering the few small gaps in the market.
@Manfred - what kind of truss rod do you need? I have a number of suppliers for all kinds of rods, from Martin style channel rods to double-action jobs.
AlanRatcliffe
Oh - the other way to get into it is to supply a local guitar manufacturer. No-one yet, but perhaps getting together with a wooden parts manufacturer and a designer (cough), he could form a company to produce guitars himself.
Manfred-Klose
Alan.
I have been researching guitar building techniques for a while, but truss rods remains a tricky subject.
I have finished designing my guitar, know only time will tell what happens.
I also found a supplier for the woods.
So basically just need a good truss rod(I have seen some bad ones in my lifetime!!)
I'm looking to go the Jackson,esp,dean route for truss rods.
It is for a guitar with a hardtail bridge, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body and maple top.
I have someone that can make it for me, just need to find a sample or design it.
NorioDS
Alan, Manfred...
If you guys want to contact him direct, drop me a PM. Alan, with your level of expertise, I think you two could quickly figure out the viability of this all. PM me and then speak to this dude about the finer details.
I would really like someone to pick this one up and just test it out a bit because I'm useless being the man-in-the-middle with my lack of technical expertise.
This could potentially be the beginning of bigger things for guitars in SA. That's what I'm hoping for. I would REALLY like to buy a Ratcliffe guitar sometime in the future ? (Ya, even if it has a hockey-stick headstock ?)
AlanRatcliffe
@ Manfred -
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Truss_rods/Adjustable_truss_rods.html You can also check out www.lmii.com for the traditional models. I like the simple "traditional " truss rods, which are not as adjustable as the double acting, but are tonally better, IMO.
@ Norio. Send me his details, or show him what I said above and give him my email addy. As you know, time is my only issue at the moment. (I shouldn't be here, dammit, but I have the forum equivalent of GAS or something).
NorioDS
Done ?
Manfred-Klose
Alan.
I have considered stew mac, i recieved their new catolog last week with some updates.
i have another qeustion about frets.
A while back i bought a packet of frets at paul bothners(DId know much back then)
It turn out to be jumbo frets, its a bit big for what i'm looking for, Whats the specs on jackson's frets?
AlanRatcliffe
Thanks Norio.
Manfred - The Jacksons are usually jumbos - equivalent to Dunlop 6150 (.103"W X .046"H) - about the same width as the Gibsons (.106" X .036"), just a bit taller. If they are bigger than the Jacksons, then they are probably the 6100 frets (A.K.A. Railroad Ties - .112" X .055"), which are used to get a scalloped neck feel without the scalloping.
Manfred-Klose
Here is some really bad pics i just took.
the serial number is:4fwij215 , dont know if it means anything.
Would these frets be fine?(for jackson type radius)
AlanRatcliffe
Impossible to tell from the pic, but use 'em anyway - if you find they are too tall, just take them down further than you would usually when you dress them.
Malkav
hmmmm well tell your friend that if he can produce decent quality Floyd Rose replacement bridges or Edge-pro Lo-pro bridges I could hand him a list of about 50 people in this country who'd be interested.
Unfortunately Floyd Rose bridge replacements are not cheap and are extremely difficult to find good quality replacements for. especially if you want a Lo-Pro Edge as they are no longer in production and are pretty much the best design for Floyd there has ever been (I'm stating this as fact not opinion, anyone who's tried one knows they feel better, keep in tune better and sound better than any other Floyd Rose bridge). On average to get a decent quality Floyd Rose replacement bridge you'd be looking at R2 500 and that would probably be for a regular floyd which would be too small for the Ibanez Edge cavities.
NorioDS
Chad Adam Browne wrotehmmmm well tell your friend that if he can produce decent quality Floyd Rose replacement bridges or Edge-pro Lo-pro bridges I could hand him a list of about 50 people in this country who'd be interested.
Unfortunately Floyd Rose bridge replacements are not cheap and are extremely difficult to find good quality replacements for. especially if you want a Lo-Pro Edge as they are no longer in production and are pretty much the best design for Floyd there has ever been (I'm stating this as fact not opinion, anyone who's tried one knows they feel better, keep in tune better and sound better than any other Floyd Rose bridge). On average to get a decent quality Floyd Rose replacement bridge you'd be looking at R2 500 and that would probably be for a regular floyd which would be too small for the Ibanez Edge cavities.
He's willing to make a prototype if he can have a sample to work from. You got a bridge you not using?
Malkav
Ha ha ha, well I have one...but the not using part is a bit tricky...it's on my main six string ?
Matt-White
Nor, can you send me his details as well, pse? I'm interested in the stuff he makes for bikes...
Tx
NorioDS
For the bike-related stuff, check out www.custombikeparts.co.za. That's his site.
Matt-White
Shot!
arjunmenon
Hi Norrie,
Like Chad mentioned, Floyd rose replacement parts are expensive and i'm desperately looking for someone who can mill me a Ibanez Lo Pro 7 bridge and tremolo arm. I can send him the specs and i also don't mind paying the man for his time and expertise. Let me know if its possible. Thanks.
Cheers.
PS - Haven't been here on the forum in a while, but the new additions (i.e. location field and member status field)are really cool.
