SofaPlayer Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Custom orders seem to be quite popular these days. You can choose the neck and fretboard woods, tailpieces, inlays, custom finishes etc. Somewhere I've even read of somebody ordering or thinking about ordering a certain model with the complete neck of another. I wonder what you think how far one can go without beeing immoral. I mean, those guys at Heritage are artists. They choose to equip certain guitars with certain necks for a reason. Isn't mixing all that up cutting back severely their artistic freedom? As far as I can handle Gimp I tried to design the guitar I might want to custom order sooner or later. What do you think, am I going too far? A Groove Master with all silver hardware (does the fingered tailpiece come in chrome anyway?), standard one-piece mahogany neck & rosewood fingerboard but with the inlays of the H555, (translucent) wine red sunburst... I'd perfctly understand it if they gave me the finger...
111518 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I think you are well within bounds; as you mention, there are some pretty strange hybrids out there, so I think Heritage will try to make what people want, as long as it is mechanically possible. Pretty guitar, by the way. Interesting use of Gimp. I've suggested before that Heritage, with its skilled craftsmen and small shop flexibility, might incorporate something like a "design-your-own-Heritage" feature on their website and as part of an ongoing business model that emphasizes their ability and willingness to produce custom guitars. Martin has such a section on its website, and it is very cool --you can select body style, woods, inlays, etc., and it will generate an image and list of features, which the customer then takes to an authorized dealer to place an order (with substantial deposit.) I'm guessing this also gives Martin the ability to manage the range of options, and generates a computerized "portrait" of each custom order that they can use during production, something that Heritage might also beneficially incorporate.
brentrocks Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 i dont see a problem with that....Vince seemed to be very welcoming while we speced out what i hope will be my new Heritage....and its a lil out there. i love your mock-up!!!!
Dick Seacup Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Actually, the impression I have gotten is that they factory rather enjoys custom orders. They seem to enjoy building guitars exactly the way the customer wants. Maybe that's because they figure it will get played more than a 'standard' model; and they are all about the 'our guitars are built to be played' attitude. The only thing I would change on your design is to make the fretboard ebony instead of rosewood; but that is personal preference. Looks to me like you've set up a winner!
golferwave Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I agree. The Heritage craftsmen (and women) love to do this sort of thing. We want pics when it's done.
tulk1 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I think the boys would be grinnin' ear to ear to build that beauty. Very, very nice design.
Kuz Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Go for it! Great thing about custom orders is that it's your specs (dare I say "design") and it is a guitar you "made!!! I love custom orders!!!
Steiner Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Sweet! What I found is that they will do anything within the realm of availability. That is to say you need to stay within the parameters of Heritage. There are two "difficulties" with your design. First, potentially minor, is that the fingered tail piece is only available in gold. If they are offered in silver (I don't think they are), they will put it on for you. Second is the TOM bridge won't have any wood to stabilize beneath it so you wouldn't want it fastened to the top. Place a wooden piece beneath it (mahogany or ebony) and you're good to go! I Like the way you're thinking!
barrymclark Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 ...those guys at Heritage are artists. They choose to equip certain guitars with certain necks for a reason. Isn't mixing all that up cutting back severely their artistic freedom?I would say absolutely not. Having been around a number of artists both graphic and music, I would say it is their limitations that define their artistic character. Simply having free run doesn't necessarily open up their artistic possibilities. Often, it is learning to work with what they have in front of them really gets the artistic juices flowing. Great looking mockup by the way.
SofaPlayer Posted October 22, 2009 Author Posted October 22, 2009 Thanks for your replies, that's encouraging. ... "design-your-own-Heritage" feature on their website ... Of course that would be perfect. We all know this feature from car company websites and it really takes you closer to ordering because you can see what you will get. But I guess it's not cheap to have such a website built and maintained. The only thing I would change on your design is to make the fretboard ebony instead of rosewood; The standard Groove Master comes with a rosewood fretboard. I trust that this is not a random choice from the manufacturers and I would not want to change that. It also seems that rosewood sounds warmer than ebony and that's what I'm after. There are two "difficulties" with your design. First, potentially minor, is that the fingered tail piece is only available in gold. If they are offered in silver (I don't think they are), they will put it on for you. Second is the TOM bridge won't have any wood to stabilize beneath it so you wouldn't want it fastened to the top. Place a wooden piece beneath it (mahogany or ebony) and you're good to go! I'll have to ask if the fingered tailpiece is available in silver. If not, I might rethink the finish. As far as I know, the Groove Master has a sustain block underneath the bridge and pickups to reduce feedback. It just doesn't have the full body thickness, so the guitar stays a full hollow. That's why they also use this bridge on the standard model. I'll keep you posted for sure but I still need some time.
tulk1 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I just LOVE to see these custom orders. And the rationale behind them. Very interesting and educational.
zookroo1 Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Cool looking guitar! How about adding a bound headstock? I think it adds a more finished look, but that's just me.
jrfreed Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 Cool looking guitar! How about adding a bound headstock? I think it adds a more finished look, but that's just me. If the f-holes are bound ya gotta go bound headstock...just my 0.02 I think those Groovemasters are dynamite jazzers for the $$ but a tailpiece upgrade is a must. Good luck and grat mock-up
SofaPlayer Posted October 23, 2009 Author Posted October 23, 2009 Strange enough, the 'old' Groove Master with the H-tailpiece had a bound headstock but unbound f-holes. It seems they swapped that. I kinda like the unbound headstock but I guess you're right, a bound one would still be nicer. Any technical issues with the fingered tailpiece or is it just the looks that make you want to change it? To my taste it looks much better than the H-tailpiece.
Gitfiddler Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Any technical issues with the fingered tailpiece or is it just the looks that make you want to change it? To my taste it looks much better than the H-tailpiece. The six-finger tailpiece is a cool looking option...plus each string can be individually adjusted for tension. At the bottom end of the tailpiece is a small knurled screw that causes downward pressure on one string. It can really tighten up a floppy string and allows for different guages to be used. So it is something more than simply a pretty piece of hardware. It's a functional accessory that increases the versatility of a jazz box. Now go on an order that bad boy...and show us some pics after you get it.
SofaPlayer Posted October 23, 2009 Author Posted October 23, 2009 Now that's an interesting detail about that tailpiece! Thanks for sharing. I'll let you know when I've ordered it but you'll need to be patient.
TruckbodyJones Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 As much as I can appreciate these guitars as works of art ....I really don't think it's like telling Monet how to paint a painting . It will be your guitar ....you should have it the way you want it (if it's within their ability) . I can't believe they would have any problem with a thousand people asking them to build their dream guitars . I will special order , the day I have the cash to do it ....the moment I have the cash to do it ...and it will be different . You won't get that from G .....Go for it ..enjoy , I know I will . Good luck Lonnie
SofaPlayer Posted October 24, 2009 Author Posted October 24, 2009 It's not like telling Monet how to paint but it's like telling Monet what to paint...
DCA Posted October 24, 2009 Posted October 24, 2009 If I didn't waste most of my money on motorcycles and homebrewing, I'd order that exact guitar. BRILLIANT!
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