The Official Invictus Guitars thread

[Nautilus]

I’m very proud to be writing this post as part of the Official Invictus Guitar family.

Gareth Dickie of Invictus guitars has kindly made me part of the family. Part of my job with Invictus is making sure that you guys are aware of his work, the effort he puts in and more importantly- that I contribute to some beautiful guitar playing circles.

Invictus Guitars is a UK (Manchester) based luthiery that focuses on quality and innovation by hand. Gareth prides himself on doing as much as he possibly can without the use of machined or CAD work. The extent to which Invictus guitars are done this way is staggering-the majority of even the finer points such as his routing, binding and inlay work is entirely down to a steady hand and patience.

Beyond this, Invictus Guitars embraces all the modern additions at their disposal. Gareth fits LED, luminlay, carbon fibre rods and fanned fret systems (to name a few) to his builds.

The Invictus guitar workshop is definitely open for business, having signed the entire cohort of VILDHJARTA and John Browne of MONUMENTS to his roster- there will be more to follow!

Invictus Currently has four models available for sale:

The SS:








The SSRG:






The SC:






The Axis:


Gareth approaches pricing on a case-by-case basis. He's more than happy to discuss the kind of woods, extras and build types he can do for you. Shipping from Invictus is global and pricing is again dependant on country.

If you're interested in seeing some of Gareth's work in action- the Axis modelled above will be on loan to Browne of Monuments. Both Leah and Pin also have some demo videos with their tester Invictus on their Aliases facebook page. There's also a large section of Vildhjarta update pictures of three VERY tasty guitars.

I’ll be more than happy to answer questions when and where I can. Gareth can be contact directly at g.dickie@invictusguitars.co.uk for quotes, builds times…or anything (he IS the luthier afterall). You can also contact Gareth’s right hand man Matt Nevin, their (in progress) site at http://www.invictusguitars.co.uk or the Invictus Guitars facebook page.

[Nautilus]

Gareth is currently selling a finished, stock SS-H6 model guitar for £1200 including a case. Certain details such as shipping and some final hardware details are on a case-by-case basis. Please let him know if you’re interested at the above email address!

[Rook]

Hey, I'm posting this here in case other forum members may be interested.

Do Invictus have any interest in building a modern double cut design similar to say a Vik Duality, Domineer, Parker Dragonfly or a Decibel Javelin? Is this something you guys would/have consider(ed)?

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by Fun111

Hey, I'm posting this here in case other forum members may be interested.

Do Invictus have any interest in building a modern double cut design similar to say a Vik Duality, Domineer, Parker Dragonfly or a Decibel Javelin? Is this something you guys would/have consider(ed)?

Gareth has spent a number of years building guitars and seeing what works and what doesn't.

In short- what he has above are shapes he's settled down with over years of experience. He may well release something a little more crazy, but if and only if the guitar benefits from it.

His Axis shape is quite out there, and if you'll note- even his standard SS model is not lifted directly from the classic SuperStrat shape but is a subtle variation on the dimensions. We have a lot of respect for other shops, I myself am a Decibel customer! I think you need only look as far as Blackmachine to show that quality doesn't have to stray from a tried and tested path.

[mphsc]

Gareth is super nice to talk to. (email back & forth with) Decisions, decisions, decisions...

[benjaminbuisine]

It's horrible to be subscribed to this thread : each time someone posts something, I have to stare at all these beauty, specially the wonderful SC, and it is really hard to stay rational.

How many time will I hold on? Poor me, specially on my birthday XD

But more seriously, I wanted to know one thing about the SC :

Is DAT NECK thru or bolt on? Because I see the bolts, but the joint between the neck and the "inbetween wings" seems so perfect that they really look as one only piece.

By the way, this particulary one is gorgeous, think Im in love man. Congrats gary!

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by benjaminbuisine

Is DAT NECK thru or bolt on? Because I see the bolts, but the joint between the neck and the "inbetween wings" seems so perfect that they really look as one only piece.

Yup it's a bolt on. Gareth usually builds neck throughs...although there's still huge debate over bolt vs neck joints, Gareth sees the cost of repairing a damaged neck around the same for both bolt and neck joints.

Since repair costs are basically the same for him, why not opt for a joint that allows unparalled heel access?

I met Gareth myself as a customer and our relationship has grown in to me becoming part of the company. I'm a massive fan of Gareth's work and his work ethic....believe me when I say that he spends day and night painstakingly building guitars. Even when the job could be machined... It's all part of it being "your" instrument, and knowing that there will truly be no other in the world like it. Ever.

[benjaminbuisine]

It's such a good and wise point of vue, even if I have never understand how people can literally break necks ... but it happens.

Anyway I really like all that you've made, really unique guitars, and great finish, as well as I want to see more and more and more of all these beauties ^^.cCan't wait to see more pics on your forthcoming website

Thank you answering me.

[sethomopod]

Hello there, very happy to find this thread.. I am very interested in purchasing an 8 string. (axis)But before contacting Gareth, and possibly wasting his time, I would like to know if he makes left handed models? My research into Invictus guitars and the skills of the luthier make me believe the man can make anything!! Also if there is a secure way of shipping to Vietnam? I am an Australian with business here and I understand it may be difficult.. I apologize for my ignorance but I know nothing about UK international shipping.. Thanks in advance for any reply.... Seth....

[penny1]

Hey what're the specs on the Vildhjarta signatures?

[mphsc]

Originally Posted by penny1

Hey what're the specs on the Vildhjarta signatures?

email one of the guys in the listing. They'll hit you back ASAP.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by sethomopod

Hello there, very happy to find this thread.. I am very interested in purchasing an 8 string. (axis)But before contacting Gareth, and possibly wasting his time, I would like to know if he makes left handed models? My research into Invictus guitars and the skills of the luthier make me believe the man can make anything!! Also if there is a secure way of shipping to Vietnam? I am an Australian with business here and I understand it may be difficult.. I apologize for my ignorance but I know nothing about UK international shipping.. Thanks in advance for any reply.... Seth....

I'm left handed handed. Gareth's got 2 guitars for myself on the go. Yes, he makes lefties of absolutely anything available. We can ship anywhere in the world, insured- providing we just find the insurance company able to do so. I believe there are really only a couple of countries we'd not vaiably be able to ship to (Iran, North Korea etc).

[Nautilus]

It seems I'm not able to edit the original thread, But here's a few more pictures to moisten your apetites!

John Browne's <Monuments> (on loan, soon to be on sale) Axis 8 string Fanned Fret:




A Vidhjarta Sig:



Leah Woodward's <Aliases> 6string tester:

[mphsc]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

It seems I'm not able to edit the original thread, But here's a few more pictures to moisten your apetites!

John Browne's <Monuments> (on loan, soon to be on sale) Axis 8 string Fanned Fret:

I really like the shape & fnish, but that pick-up looks an afterthought. Is the bridge black & gold?

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by mphsc

I really like the shape & fnish, but that pick-up looks an afterthought. Is the bridge black & gold?

The pickup cover is an all-wooden maple block Gareth fit himself. We thought it'd lend itself to the feel of the rest of the guitar...it's divided some opinion on different forums so far.

The bridge is a single-saddle deal with a brass base plate Gareth also milled himself, to the spec of the guitar's particular fanning range.

He's working on a more sophisticated plate and bridge system on my incoming Axis (same shapes as above) 7. It'll follow the same ethos though, being milled exactly to my particular fan.

[Miek]

The Vildhjarta sig looks great, and I'd love to hear what Leah could do with that 6.

[Nautilus]

more updates. Sheesh!






None other than Mr. John *freaking* Browne. MONUMENTS.

[Rook]

How much would an Axis like Browne's with a second pickup and solid finish run (ish)?

PM Me, I fancy chatting about it

[mphsc]

Cheaper than you think.... I've been talking to Gareth about one.

[spawnofthesith]

So whats the turn around time on these? Major GAS...

[Rook]

^I had a chat with a guy called Gareth the other day, he said 12-18 but usually 16 weeks.

16 weeks is equivalent to 5 seconds in the custom guitar world hahahaha

[spawnofthesith]

Originally Posted by Fun111

^I had a chat with a guy called Gareth the other day, he said 12-18 but usually 16 weeks.

16 weeks is equivalent to 5 seconds in the custom guitar world hahahaha

Damn.... yeah thats really quick. The more I learn the more GAS I have. Hell, my ESP wasn't even a custom, and that run took almost a year to finish

[drawnacrol]

The guys from Uneven Structures told me about you guys the other day. Gassing for a 7 string like the Vidhjarta Sig pictured. Sending you an email.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by drawnacrol

The guys from Uneven Structures told me about you guys the other day. Gassing for a 7 string like the Vidhjarta Sig pictured. Sending you an email.

Thanks for such a warm response. It really lifts Gareth's spirits to see such great feedback....

he's got some pretty cool ideas in the works and some fantastic Artist PR stuff coming up very very soon. Expect to see a hell of a lot more from the Workshop. Along with Browne we've now signed Born of Osiris (thanks to the Ernie Ball family for allowing Lee to use our 8 string, despite his arrangements with them!). We've got jazz/proggers Ever Forthright, Leah Woodward of Aliases and interest from Uneven Structure now.

Now that Gareth's moved over to a new unit he's been able to start working with a much bigger scale of orders. That said, we're flooded with enquirers already. He really really doesn't want to have to push back his construction times if he can help it.

Having been to the workshop just this week, he's got a lot piling up. We don't want to put up a waiting list....my advice would be act fast!

I have 2 builds on the go at the workshop already...and Matt Nevin (the second in command at Invictus) has a countless pile of gorgeous builds on the go too....muhahaha

[Hollowway]

Here's a bummer: I got an email today from Emperion Guitars (yes, that Emperion) and it appears they've resurrected themselves and their guitar line is now called Invictus...
EMPERION INVICTUS OVERVIEW | Emperion Revo Guitars