Q: How long will it take to get my custom instrument after ordering?
A: Our construction time can vary depending on the complexity of the project or if we have to order custom pickups or hardware. Our current build time is 9 to 12 months.

Q: How is the 7 string bass tuned? While you’re on the subject; How about the 8 and 9 string bass?
A: Our standard tuning for the 7 string bass is Low B, E, A, D, G, C and High F (all in fourths). It can also be tuned from Low F# (a fourth below B) to High C. Another tuning is from E to High A#. Finally, some players with treble clef in their blood tune their 7’s Low B, E, A, D, G, B, E.
With that in mind, the 8 string bass is usually tuned Low F#, B, E, A, D, G, C and High F or Low B, E, A, D, G. C, F and High A#. Finally, the monster 9 is tuned Low F#, B, E, A, D, G, C, F and High A#.

Q: Where can I find strings for all of these one-of-a-kind instruments?
A: We stock most of the strings you will need for any of our unusual instruments including 8 string guitars and 7, 8, and 9 string basses. We also have the special silked upright bass strings for our M.E.U. bass. See “Accessories”

Q: Concerning the scale of the bass, what is "Multi-scale"?
A: This is the same thing as fanned frets...basically you have a shorter scale on the treble side fanning out to a longer scale on the bass side which means that there is less tension on the treble side allowing you to tune standard guage strings to higher pitches. The longer scale length on the bass side allows standard guage strings to be tuned to lower than normal pitches while retaining the desired tension.

Q: What are the effects of different woods on necks and bodies?
A: As a general rule, the harder, heavier woods are invariably brighter, while the softer, lighter woods are usually warmer.

Q: Which types of woods are best for various guitar-making applications?
A: Hard, stable woods are best for necks and fingerboards. Light, resonant woods are generally best for bodies. This does not take into account that many of the most sought after exotics used for guitar tops or our exclusive "Melted Tops" are often times very dense, hard and relatively heavy. This is why we usually recommend a lightweight core wood for the back of the guitar or bass topped with a heavier exotic. The end result is an instrument with a wide and versatile tonal range.

Q: Which wood is most durable?
A: Purpleheart.
Q: lightest?
A: Dragonwood.

Q: Which is better, a single piece neck or a multi-laminate such as a 3-piece, 5-piece, or 7-piece?
A: The multi-laminate construction creates a superior neck because, just like plywood, multi-laminations make things physically stronger, stiffer and more stable.

Q: What happens when you add a different wood for the top? Does it effect the sound? What's the best type of wood for different styles (ex. funk, rock, jazz)?
A: Various tops can add different textures to the tone. As we stated before, the harder and denser tops will most likely be brighter while the lighter, porous woods will add a warmer and more resonant overtone.

Q: I heard that Piezo pickups produce more acoustic sounds, is this true?
A: That's true; they react to pressure like a microphone and therefore respond more acoustically.

Q: Which types of pickups are best for which styles of playing?
A: We recommend visiting the individual pickup manufacturers websites as there are simply too many variables for us to generalize here. Our main suppliers are Seymour Duncan, EMG, Bartolini, and DiMarzio, but we can get anything that is available to the OEM market.

Q: What does a "Coil Tap Switch" do?
A: It "taps" one of the coils in a humbucker and makes the pickup sound like a single coil.

Q: What is "Full EQ" and what does it do?
A: Full EQ, or 3 band EQ allows you to boost and cut your separate bass, mid and treble signals from the preamp.

Q: What is "Fret Size"?
A: Although the actual fretwire is categorized by a number system, frets are generally referred to as either small, medium or jumbo. Some players are very opinionated about which fret size is best, but in the last decade or so, most manufacturers have made the jumbo fret wire a standard and most players agree that it is the most comfortable and practical fret size.

Q: What's a "Hipshot" tuner?
A: Hipshot is a particular brand name, but the company makes a lightweight aluminum tuner that is becoming very popular. Hipshot is also known for their "D-Tuner" which uses a lever to drop the pitch of an open string up to a full step.

Q: What is the effect of an "Exotic Wood Neck Binding"?
A: We use exotic wood binding as a contrasting visual effect mainly.

Q: What is the effect of a "Carved Top"?
A: A carved top on an electric guitar makes the instrument look more sleekly detailed, beautiful and customized.

Q: What do you get when you order "Custom carving (3-D releif carving"?
A: We can carve graphics into the guitar such as a wolf head or an eagle...whatever. Keep in mind that we are creating a one-of-kind piece of sculpted artwork and this tedious work can be very expensive. Quotes are avilable upon request.

Q: What is your standard nut material?
A: We use a type of plastic called Delrin which lends itself perfectly to a guitar nut. The material is quite "slippery" and prevents the strings from becoming bound in the slots.

Q: What type of reinforcement is in the neck?
A: Our multi-laminate neck construction and separate fingerboard are naturally strong and stable. We also use Purpleheart wood in out multi-string guitars and basses(guitars with more than 6 strings; basses with more than 4 strings). We call Purpleheart "nature's graphite" because it is so strong and stable. Of course we also install a two-way adjustable truss rod in our necks to correct for a concave or convex condition due to seasonal humidity and temperature changes. We never use graphite in our necks as we feel it produces a sterile, unnatural tone.

Need more info? Email Conklin with your questions