Unicut Guitars Custom 8 String Build Thread

RubenBernges · 06-18-2011, 09:16 AM

I've been a lurker ever since I became interested in extended range guitars, so I thought it would be nice to introduce myself by posting pics of my custom 8 string guitar that is currently being built by Florian Lüttke from Unicut Guitars. I wanted a guitar I could use for virtually any style of music despite it being an 8 string and I dislike black guitars and active pickups anyway, which left me with no options except Agile, but I didn't want to order from Rondo because of their lack of warranty for international buyers.

That's why I saved up and specced my dream guitar and also my first 8 string:

Scale length: 27 inches, 24 frets + zero fret
Body: RG style ash body
Neck: seven piece maple/walnut
Fretboard: maple, compound radius 16"-20"
Pickups: 2 passive Häussel humbuckers with split-coil option via 2 push-pull volume potis
Hardware: ETS custom bridge as suggested by Florian and Schaller M6 mini tuners

String spacing is slightly more narrow compared to the Ibanez 8 strings, nut width is 54 mm

The wood for the guitar, except for the walnut stripes. I was originally going for a swamp ash body, but Florian had a one piece body blank and a two piece body blank of ash that's been air-dried for 30 years in his stock. I chose the two piece because this guitar is supposed to last all eternity and I thought the figuring was rather interesting.

The body next to the neck blank, there's a thin stripe of rosewood in the middle

Detail shot of the headstock, it's got a nice ash veneer in order to match the body

The body + the neck with the fretboard on it - I just love how pronounced the grain of the maple is

The most recent one, showing the custom ETS 8 string bridge, which is looking pretty awesome in my opinion, and the ebony knobs I asked for. They're looking even better than I expected!
The Häussels are going to arrive in about a week and Florian says he's going to be finished in about a month. The build was started in April, so everything went smoothly and fast. On top of that, it's costing me around as much as a new RG2228 in Europe.

Concerning the natural finish, this is what's planned for the body and the headstock: http://www.conklinguitars.com/custom...in_3_large.jpg

That's it for my introduction. I am glad to be part of the biggest community for ERG guitars on the web.

BlackMastodon · 06-18-2011, 09:24 AM

Welcome to SSO and congrats on your first custom 8! That bridge looks very comfortable. It's really awesome that you are getting a custom guitar for the price of the Ibanez 8, and that finish is gonna be amazing!

Necris · 06-18-2011, 09:51 AM

This is going to turn out to be gorgeous.

scherzo1928 · 06-18-2011, 10:07 AM

Ok, I need a bridge like that...

dirgesong · 06-18-2011, 10:41 AM

Really good... and that bridge 10+

adrock · 06-18-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scherzo1928

Ok, I need a bridge like that...

theo · 06-18-2011, 11:20 AM

Can't wait for updates!

RubenBernges · 06-19-2011, 01:47 PM

Not really an update, but all of you seem to be interested in the bridge and I've still got a closeup, so I figured you might want to see that as well

In my opinion it's definitely much nicer looking than a Hipshot.

metalman_ltd · 06-19-2011, 02:50 PM

That is going to be amazing when it gets all finished.

SirMyghin · 06-19-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubenBernges

Not really an update, but all of you seem to be interested in the bridge and I've still got a closeup, so I figured you might want to see that as well

In my opinion it's definitely much nicer looking than a Hipshot.

I agree with you, hipshot guitar bridges (at least the saddle on plate style) look inherently cheap. I know they are good ,but I like the look of these, which is closer to the bass bridges they make.

dirgesong · 06-19-2011, 09:06 PM

really nice bridge!

Jontain · 06-20-2011, 07:58 AM

more love for that bridge right here

noizfx · 06-20-2011, 08:32 PM

Really liking the bridge there... if I knew about that one earlier...

Oh well, I'm getting a fan-fretted guitar now, so I wouldn't need that bridge anymore, but still good to know! Maybe one day I'll wait to get a fixed scale 8, who knows?

Elysian · 06-20-2011, 08:43 PM

Bridge looks nice but no string through no care

Interested to see where this build goes though

RubenBernges · 06-22-2011, 01:37 PM

Mini Update:

Got a flight case for the guitar. Fits nicely

Flo made the body about 1 cm wider than that of a RG2228, so the proportions are closer to a regular six string. It's also taking care of possible neck dive issues along with the upper horn that has been made longer and the small headstock with non-locking tuners and light-weight ebony tuning pegs.

Right now I'm on the fence about getting an arm bevel or not. I don't like Ibanez-style bevels because they are too extreme for my liking, so my initial plan was to leave the body completely flat, however I might go with a more subtle Fender-style bevel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian

Bridge looks nice but no string through no care

Interested to see where this build goes though

That bridge can be bought either way actually, there's at least one six string Flo built with it in a string-through configuration.

It's going to be awesome

unfortunately, there'll be no updates from now un until the häussels arive though

RubenBernges · 06-25-2011, 06:23 AM

Proper Update: Got new pics!

The back

Awesome neckjoint + almost finished neck

Khaine88 · 06-25-2011, 03:02 PM

That Bridge is Godlike, is it the Tuning fork or the Transmissions? Liking the build thus far anyways, and liking the sound of those Häussels

Moar updates!

RubenBernges · 06-26-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khaine88

That Bridge is Godlike, is it the Tuning fork or the Transmissions? Liking the build thus far anyways, and liking the sound of those Häussels

Moar updates!

It's the regular tuning fork.

I'm excited about the Häussels as well! Hoping for some great all around pickups.

Right now it's to think about the placement of the potis and the toggle. The great thing about having a custom instrument built is that you can spend literally days contemplating minor stuff instead of doing things you ought to.

celticelk · 06-26-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubenBernges

Right now it's to think about the placement of the potis and the toggle. The great thing about having a custom instrument built is that you can spend literally days contemplating minor stuff instead of doing things you ought to.

Except for the part where the instrument doesn't get built until you make a decision. =)

RubenBernges · 06-28-2011, 02:16 PM

Well, I got one new pic today, the back of the headstock:

Solodini · 06-28-2011, 05:32 PM

I'm well keen on the 5+3 headstock. It's what I've intended for when I start building stuff. Much less confusing to move from that to a 3+3 headstock on a 6 string.

RubenBernges · 07-02-2011, 09:09 AM

Small Update: Positioning of the potis and the toggle

My intention was to have the volume poti for the neck pickup in close reach in order to perform volume swells and to stay in control of volume during melodic playing in a band context.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solodini

I'm well keen on the 5+3 headstock. It's what I've intended for when I start building stuff. Much less confusing to move from that to a 3+3 headstock on a 6 string.

To be honest, I just didn't find any existing 8 string headstocks I liked and I thought having a 5+3 headstock would be rather cool. I was right

.

RubenBernges · 07-21-2011, 04:23 AM

Update: We're pretty close to completion now

control cavity + cover

the recessed input jack

the fretwork

Flo slapped the tuners on there to get an idea of the final look. The tuning pegs are ebony.

the back

The häussels were delayed quite a bit, however they finally arrived yesterday so the build is going to be completed in about a week.

Can't wait for the finish...

JamesM · 07-21-2011, 06:32 AM

Sickkkk.

Thrashmanzac · 07-21-2011, 06:37 AM

is that a zero fret i see? what is the plan to guide the strings onto the zero fret?
this build is looking amazing mate, congrats

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06-18-2011, 09:16 AM	#1
RubenBernges ss.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Unicut Guitars Custom 8 String Build Thread I've been a lurker ever since I became interested in extended range guitars, so I thought it would be nice to introduce myself by posting pics of my custom 8 string guitar that is currently being built by Florian Lüttke from Unicut Guitars. I wanted a guitar I could use for virtually any style of music despite it being an 8 string and I dislike black guitars and active pickups anyway, which left me with no options except Agile, but I didn't want to order from Rondo because of their lack of warranty for international buyers. That's why I saved up and specced my dream guitar and also my first 8 string: Scale length: 27 inches, 24 frets + zero fret Body: RG style ash body Neck: seven piece maple/walnut Fretboard: maple, compound radius 16"-20" Pickups: 2 passive Häussel humbuckers with split-coil option via 2 push-pull volume potis Hardware: ETS custom bridge as suggested by Florian and Schaller M6 mini tuners String spacing is slightly more narrow compared to the Ibanez 8 strings, nut width is 54 mm The wood for the guitar, except for the walnut stripes. I was originally going for a swamp ash body, but Florian had a one piece body blank and a two piece body blank of ash that's been air-dried for 30 years in his stock. I chose the two piece because this guitar is supposed to last all eternity and I thought the figuring was rather interesting. The body next to the neck blank, there's a thin stripe of rosewood in the middle Detail shot of the headstock, it's got a nice ash veneer in order to match the body The body + the neck with the fretboard on it - I just love how pronounced the grain of the maple is The most recent one, showing the custom ETS 8 string bridge, which is looking pretty awesome in my opinion, and the ebony knobs I asked for. They're looking even better than I expected! The Häussels are going to arrive in about a week and Florian says he's going to be finished in about a month. The build was started in April, so everything went smoothly and fast. On top of that, it's costing me around as much as a new RG2228 in Europe. Concerning the natural finish, this is what's planned for the body and the headstock: http://www.conklinguitars.com/custom...in_3_large.jpg That's it for my introduction. I am glad to be part of the biggest community for ERG guitars on the web. Superwoodle, Khaine88 and celticelk like this.

06-18-2011, 09:51 AM	#3
Necris Bonitis. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Somewhere in New York Posts: 2,414 Thanked: 14 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	This is going to turn out to be gorgeous. Extreme Syncopation =/= Poly-rhythmic

06-18-2011, 10:07 AM	#4
scherzo1928 has wood for you Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mexico City Posts: 4,692 Thanked: 33 $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ok, I need a bridge like that... espman, mattchristensen and BlackMastodon like this. Is this... guitar?

06-18-2011, 10:41 AM	#5
dirgesong Learning & Searching Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Montreal Ca Posts: 801 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Really good... and that bridge 10+ When it's your time there's nothing you can do!

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06-18-2011, 09:24 AM	#2
BlackMastodon \m/ (ﾟДﾟ) \m/ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 3,168 Thanked: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Welcome to SSO and congrats on your first custom 8! That bridge looks very comfortable. It's really awesome that you are getting a custom guitar for the price of the Ibanez 8, and that finish is gonna be amazing!

06-18-2011, 11:20 AM	#7
theo Ibanez whore Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Melbourne, Au Posts: 3,119 Thanked: 37 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Can't wait for updates!

06-19-2011, 01:47 PM	#8
RubenBernges ss.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Not really an update, but all of you seem to be interested in the bridge and I've still got a closeup, so I figured you might want to see that as well In my opinion it's definitely much nicer looking than a Hipshot. vansinn, got_tone, scherzo1928 and 2 others like this.

06-19-2011, 02:50 PM	#9
metalman_ltd ss.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 347 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That is going to be amazing when it gets all finished. BACK TO THE GRAVE

06-19-2011, 09:06 PM	#11
dirgesong Learning & Searching Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Montreal Ca Posts: 801 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	really nice bridge! When it's your time there's nothing you can do!

06-20-2011, 07:58 AM	#12
Jontain SS.org Regular Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: UK Posts: 1,103 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	more love for that bridge right here

06-20-2011, 08:32 PM	#13
noizfx Custom 8 in progress Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 324 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Really liking the bridge there... if I knew about that one earlier... Oh well, I'm getting a fan-fretted guitar now, so I wouldn't need that bridge anymore, but still good to know! Maybe one day I'll wait to get a fixed scale 8, who knows?

06-20-2011, 08:43 PM	#14
Elysian Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 6,622 Thanked: 43 Feedback Score: 22 reviews	Bridge looks nice but no string through no care Interested to see where this build goes though

06-25-2011, 06:23 AM	#16
RubenBernges ss.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Proper Update: Got new pics! The back Awesome neckjoint + almost finished neck BlackMastodon likes this. Check out my 8 String Custom Guitar Build Thread here

06-25-2011, 03:02 PM	#17
Khaine88 SS.org's Welsh Guy>< Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taff, South Wales, UK Posts: 195 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That Bridge is Godlike, is it the Tuning fork or the Transmissions? Liking the build thus far anyways, and liking the sound of those Häussels Moar updates! www.myspace.com/childofbodom88 Guitars: Caparison Horus HGS Oiled Walnut BKP Sinner Neck, BKP Aftermath Bridge[BRL Custom]Gibson Gothic 2 Explorer With EMG 81+85 18volt Coming Soon Daemoness Cimmerian 7 "The Magnum Opus" Amps: ENGL Invader 100 Zilla Fatboy 2x12 (V30 Loaded) Green on Black Pedals: Boss TU-3 Keeley 4 knob compressor Maxon OD-808 MXR Smartgate Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Nano Boss RC-2

06-28-2011, 02:16 PM	#20
RubenBernges ss.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, I got one new pic today, the back of the headstock: TJV, dirgesong and shitsøn like this. Check out my 8 String Custom Guitar Build Thread here

06-28-2011, 05:32 PM	#21
Solodini Thread Killer. Join Date: May 2011 Location: East Lothian, Scotland. Posts: 2,162 Thanked: 21 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm well keen on the 5+3 headstock. It's what I've intended for when I start building stuff. Much less confusing to move from that to a 3+3 headstock on a 6 string. Check out my book: "Playing Guitar Musically: A Guide to Creativity on Guitar & Bass" FREE Sample Chapters Here Buy the full book here. PM me if you want to discuss it or just fancy a chat. I also give lessons over Skype, Bandhappy and within the Lothians.

07-21-2011, 04:23 AM	#23
RubenBernges ss.org Regular Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 62 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Update: We're pretty close to completion now control cavity + cover the recessed input jack the fretwork Flo slapped the tuners on there to get an idea of the final look. The tuning pegs are ebony. the back The häussels were delayed quite a bit, however they finally arrived yesterday so the build is going to be completed in about a week. Can't wait for the finish... sibanez29, Superwoodle, BlackMastodon and 2 others like this. Check out my 8 String Custom Guitar Build Thread here

07-21-2011, 06:32 AM	#24
JamesM The Armada Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 6,925 Thanked: 86 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Sickkkk. Cloudyhead. Facebook//Twitter//Bandcamp Watch:1,2,3,4,5 Debut Album, Abstraction out now!

07-21-2011, 06:37 AM	#25
Thrashmanzac plays in 69/42 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne, VIC Posts: 3,769 Thanked: 53 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	is that a zero fret i see? what is the plan to guide the strings onto the zero fret? this build is looking amazing mate, congrats ...Each guitarist has an evil fat 40 year old blueswankler trying to get out, If you give in to temptation you'll be sitting next to a fender playing john lee hooker while trying to keep your combover in place. -Desecrated being black and enjoying watermelon, i think this thread needs more watermelon. budda

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