Guitar design idea: the Javelin

darren · 02-01-2006, 05:10 PM

Those of you who know me know that i'm a designer with a passion for guitars. Back in high school, i built my own guitar through a course at a local shop, and i was hooked. Unfortunately, i haven't had access to a proper workshop since then, so my lutherie ambitions have been on hold for quite some time. That hasn't stopped me from doodling, noodling and coming up with ideas for instruments.

Here's my latest: the Javelin

Yes, it's named after the AMC muscle car from the late '60s-early-'70s. This one actually has a pretty decent shot at getting built this summer, now that we have a garage that we're converting into a workshop.

The lines are sort of a mash-up of a Parker Fly, a Fernandes Reeves Gabrels signature model and a Danelectro. I really want to make something different from everything else out there. Something funky, contemporary yet with a retro vibe.

Thus far, i've designed it around a 28 5/8" Warmoth Baritone 7 bolt-on neck. Hardware is a Hipshot hardtail bridge and Steinberger gearless tuners. For electronics, i'm considering either P-90s or lipstick-tube pickups. Construction-wise, it will be a hollowbody with a frame made of void-free birch ply, with a top and back of high-pressure laminate.

Just curious to see what you guys think.

Donnie · 02-01-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren

Yes, it's named after the AMC muscle car from the late '60s-early-'70s.

One of my favs.

I'm don't really care much for hollow/semi-hollow bodie, but I'm digging the second one.

nitelightboy · 02-01-2006, 05:17 PM

It's not quite my thing, but it does look pretty nice. I like the black one more, I think it looks sweetier IMHO. And I'd want more upper fret access!

Leon · 02-01-2006, 05:17 PM

the first one definitely SCREAMS Danelectro, what with the lipstick pickups and retro-looking pickguard. it also sort of reminds me of the Ibanez Iceman guitars.

hmm, i don't know about the maple fretboard (just personal preference for color i guess). and, what about a matching finished headstock?

Papa Shank · 02-01-2006, 05:18 PM

Hmm, I dig the upper wing but not the lower wing so much. Not so much the horn that bothers me but the bottom left of the body there just looks a bit odd to me. Otherwise cool.

Elysian · 02-01-2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitelightboy

It's not quite my thing, but it does look pretty nice. I like the black one more, I think it looks sweetier IMHO. And I'd want more upper fret access!

i echo this

darren · 02-01-2006, 05:45 PM

I figured i'd get a lot of "it's not quite my thing" responses... you guys are relentlessly metal.

At the moment, where the neck joins the body is based on a best guess. It's a fine balance between upper fret access and having the upper strap button positioned closer to the guitar's centre of gravity. I'm trying to get a single-cutaway vibe without the neck dive problems of something like a Firebird. It's designed to be a low-register riff monster, not a shred machine, so upper-fret access is less important than overall balance.

I did have a matching headstock in the mockup file, but when i took it off, it had more of that rough-around-the-edges retro vibe, and i think it looks cool with the maple fretboard.

Donnie · 02-01-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren

I figured i'd get a lot of "it's not quite my thing" responses... you guys are relentlessly metal.

I'd love to find a 7 like that with the not-so standard body style that has more of the "rock" kind of vibe.

Shannon · 02-01-2006, 05:56 PM

As far as "retro vibe" is concerned, you hit the mark. Good job on the design!

Leon · 02-01-2006, 06:20 PM

i guess, with the maple fretboards, leaving the headstock unfinished would look the best.

a tobacco sunburst might look cool too

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02-01-2006, 05:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
darren Mr. Negative Pants™ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 7,362 Main Seven: OMFG! EBMM JP7 Rig: GT6PowerBlockThiele Thanked: 32	Guitar design idea: the Javelin Those of you who know me know that i'm a designer with a passion for guitars. Back in high school, i built my own guitar through a course at a local shop, and i was hooked. Unfortunately, i haven't had access to a proper workshop since then, so my lutherie ambitions have been on hold for quite some time. That hasn't stopped me from doodling, noodling and coming up with ideas for instruments. Here's my latest: the Javelin Yes, it's named after the AMC muscle car from the late '60s-early-'70s. This one actually has a pretty decent shot at getting built this summer, now that we have a garage that we're converting into a workshop. The lines are sort of a mash-up of a Parker Fly, a Fernandes Reeves Gabrels signature model and a Danelectro. I really want to make something different from everything else out there. Something funky, contemporary yet with a retro vibe. Thus far, i've designed it around a 28 5/8" Warmoth Baritone 7 bolt-on neck. Hardware is a Hipshot hardtail bridge and Steinberger gearless tuners. For electronics, i'm considering either P-90s or lipstick-tube pickups. Construction-wise, it will be a hollowbody with a frame made of void-free birch ply, with a top and back of high-pressure laminate. Just curious to see what you guys think.

02-01-2006, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Leon {##[====:::. • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Ohio Crew Posts: 12,474 Main Seven: RG7620 of Doom Rig: Mesa / Sovtek Thanked: 81	the first one definitely SCREAMS Danelectro, what with the lipstick pickups and retro-looking pickguard. it also sort of reminds me of the Ibanez Iceman guitars. hmm, i don't know about the maple fretboard (just personal preference for color i guess). and, what about a matching finished headstock? I have a radical idea. The door swings both ways, we could reverse the particle flow through the gate. We'll cross the streams.

02-01-2006, 05:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Shannon Lovely Dita... • Super Moderator • Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: W. Seattle, WA Posts: 10,356 Real Name: Shannon Main Seven: Ibanez UV7PWH Rig: Digitech GSP1101 Thanked: 94	As far as "retro vibe" is concerned, you hit the mark. Good job on the design! O.S.D.O. : The Smoking Lounge : Jar Of Flies : Your personal hero!

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02-01-2006, 05:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
nitelightboy I poop in shoes. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ft Liquordale, FL Posts: 4,282 Real Name: Joe Main Seven: LTD SC-607 Rig: Madison Divinity Thanked: 18	It's not quite my thing, but it does look pretty nice. I like the black one more, I think it looks sweetier IMHO. And I'd want more upper fret access!

02-01-2006, 05:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Papa Shank Be-otch Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,191 Real Name: Paul Main ERG: OWNI ARGH-GEE 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Hmm, I dig the upper wing but not the lower wing so much. Not so much the horn that bothers me but the bottom left of the body there just looks a bit odd to me. Otherwise cool.

02-01-2006, 05:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
darren Mr. Negative Pants™ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Greater Toronto Area, Canada Posts: 7,362 Main Seven: OMFG! EBMM JP7 Rig: GT6PowerBlockThiele Thanked: 32	I figured i'd get a lot of "it's not quite my thing" responses... you guys are relentlessly metal. At the moment, where the neck joins the body is based on a best guess. It's a fine balance between upper fret access and having the upper strap button positioned closer to the guitar's centre of gravity. I'm trying to get a single-cutaway vibe without the neck dive problems of something like a Firebird. It's designed to be a low-register riff monster, not a shred machine, so upper-fret access is less important than overall balance. I did have a matching headstock in the mockup file, but when i took it off, it had more of that rough-around-the-edges retro vibe, and i think it looks cool with the maple fretboard.

02-01-2006, 06:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Leon {##[====:::. • Super Moderator • Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Ohio Crew Posts: 12,474 Main Seven: RG7620 of Doom Rig: Mesa / Sovtek Thanked: 81	i guess, with the maple fretboards, leaving the headstock unfinished would look the best. a tobacco sunburst might look cool too

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Guitar design idea: the Javelin