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Steel String Options List
Once you have decided on the body shape that best suits your needs, it's time to dissect the entire instrument into all appointments. Below is listing of all important measurements pertaining to how the guitar is built and parts that will determine your customized instrument.
Scale Length
The length of the string from nut to saddle plays an important role in how the guitar plays, reacts to the soundboard, and how the string will vibrate. The longer the distance, the tighter the string gets, more pressure on the soundboard, and smaller the rotation of the string. So, vis versa the shorter the scale length the slacker the string will become, less pressure on the sound board, and larger the circle of rotation of the string. As guitar makers we have settled on a number of scale lengths that are the standards used across the industry, now I do offer a number of less common measurements that fill a void for players that need something not generally available from production instruments.
Steel String Acoustic Scale Lengths: 24.625" - 24.9"- 25"- 25.2"-25.34"- 25.5"- 25.98"- 28.5" (baritone)
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Body Design
Soundboard
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The face of the guitar sets the tone signature of the instrument. Aside from the body shape nothing else influences the sound texture of your instrument like the soundboard. In general, we use a softwood conifer lumber of the highest quality. Now it is possible to use hardwoods like Mahogany, Koa, or even Walnut- to make a steel string guitar. But most musicians will appreciate a quicker louder instrument made with a Spruce or Cedar, they also will live a longer more predictable life span. Below is the list of woods that I offer in a selection of grades, and explanation of the sound associated with each one.
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Soundboard Choices:
Sitka Spruce: AA - No charge AAA - $150 Master Grade - $350
Engelmann Spruce: AA - No Charge AAA - $150 Master Grade - $350
Lutz Spruce: AA - $100 AAA - $200
Italian Spruce: AA- $150 AAA- $250 - $350 Master Grade- $550
Red Spruce: AA - $200 AAA- $350 Master Grade - $600-$750
Port Orford Cedar: AAA - $400
Western Red Cedar: AA - $80 AAA - $200 Master Grade - $350
Redwood: AA - $180 AAA - $325
Torrefied Spruces are sometimes available in Engelmann/Sitka/Red Spruce
Backs & Sides
Just as the foundation holds up a structure, the back/sides of the guitar provide the support to produce sound. Most all are hardwoods and if your eyes desire something beautiful, this is where it goes. From dramatically figured woods to subtle Mahogany there's a tonewood to appeal to everyone.
Back & Side Choices
Sapele Mahogany- Quartersawn Ribbon: N/C Pomelle Quilted: $400-$600
Khaya Mahogany- Quartersawn Ribbon: N/C
Black Walnut- Quartersawn light figured: N/C Flamed Claro: $300-$500
Flamed Red Maple: $300-$500 Quilted Big Leaf Maple: $300-$500
Honduran Mahogany- Pattern Grade: $150 Indian Ribbon: $150 Flamed: $500
Padauk- Quartersawn: N/C
Wenge- Quartersawn: $150
Hawiian Koa- Quartersawn light figure: $300 Flamed: $600-$1200
East Indian Rosewood- Standard Grade: $200 Premium Grade: $450
Palo Escrito- Straight Grained: $250 Figured: $350
Guatemalan Rosewood- $350
Cocobolo- $500-$1000
Madagascar Rosewood- Standard: $400 Premium: $800
Brazilian Rosewood: $1600 and Up
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Bracewood
Just like the girders or I-beams of a bridge, the braces are how an acoustic instrument supports the movement of sound through the body. I offer 3 different spruces for braces to provide slightly different response from the vibration of the soundboard.
Sitka Spruce- standard option: N/C
Italian Spruce- $100
Red Spruce- $175
Glue Options
Titebond Aliphatic Resin- standard option: N/C
Hot Hide Glue- Soundboard: $125 Entire box: $400 (some limitations)
Rosette
1/4 Multi Layer Wood: N/C
3-ring Herringbone: $80
3-ring 3/32" Abalone: $150
1/8" Abalone single 1/4" ring: $175
Wood radial 1/2" w/laminate: $225 add 3/32 abalone: $90
Neck Joint Style
Bolt-on glued tongue: N/C
Dovetail: $125 w/hide glue: $2oo
Full Bolt-on: $200
Binding Design
Standard Options with No Charge: Maple/Indian Rosewood/Tortoise
Upgrade of $140: Ivoroid/Flamed Maple/Bloodwood/Wenge
Upgrade of $225: Ebony/BZ Rosewood/Flamed Koa/Mitered B-W-B
Purfling Design
Standard Options with No Charge: Multi-layer Wood laminate (B/W/B)
Herringbone: $165
Custom themed wood: $225
Abalone top: $600 Full "45" style $2000
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Body Contour Options
Rounded cutaway: $400
Pointed Cutaway: $450
Waist or Belly Bevel: $400
Arm bevel: $500-$750
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Bridge Design Options
Bridge Material is matched to fingerboard
Standard Option w/No Charge: Signature Shape or Vintage Belly or Bar
Pyramid Bridge- Ebony: $150 Rosewood; $225
Upgraded to Brazilian rosewood: $80
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Bridge Pin Options
Ebony w/abalone dot: N/C
Bone w/black dot: $35
Bone w/abalone dot: $50
Rosewood w/pearl dot: $25
Body Finish Options
Satin Nitro Cellulose Lacquer: No Upcharge
High Gloss Lacquer: $400
Satin Urethane: $200
High Gloss Urethane: $500
3-Tone Sunburst (water-stain) soundboard: $350
Spirit Varnish soundboard: $400
Neck Design
Neck Material Options
Standard Option w/No Charge: Mahogany 3-piece Scarf
AA Mahogany 1-piece: $100
Premium Mahogany 1-piece: $175
Flame Maple 2-piece: $200
5-Layer Mah/Maple/Rosewood: $400
Fingerboard Material Options
Standard Option w/No Charge: East Indian Rosewood
Indian Ebony: $30 Premium Black: $60
Madagascar Rosewood: $30 Premium: $60-$100
African Ebony: $50 Premium Black: $100
Cocobolo: $30
Ziricote: $40
Brazilian Rosewood: $75 Premium: $200
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Peg Head Shape Options
Snake Head or Vintage Tapered Square: No Charge
Slotted Head Stock: $350
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Peg Head Wood Options
Standard Option N/C: East Indian Rosewood
Ebony- Standard Grade: $20 Premium Black $40
Madagascar Rosewood: $25 Premium figured: $50
Brazilian Rosewood- veneer: $75 Solid Wood: $150
Ziricote: $20
Cocobolo: $20
Volute Options
Standard Option: None
Scalloped Half-moon: $75
Diamond Dart: $100
Tuner Options
Standard Options No Charge: Schaller Grand-Tune Series, Gotoh 510, SE, SG series
Waverly USA made: $150-$300 many button/finish options available
Specialty finishes for others available upon request
Neck Finish
Satin Urethane with Glossed Headstock is the standard option
Gloss complete neck: $50
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