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I,Galactus wrote:... Frets? It seems to me that a plastic board might be doable, but the fret wire might be a little iffy.

Two words: Bond Electraglide

I,Galactus wrote:I agree with the consensus.

Also had another idea: How much of this stuff could be made with recycled plastics? I can't speak for everyone, but my interest would go way up if these guitars were not only rad and cheap but also sustainable.

Double also: you said neck through 100% plastic. Does that include the fret board? Frets? It seems to me that a plastic board might be doable, but the fret wire might be a little iffy.

EDIT Triple also: your dad sounds awesome.

Fingerboards would probably be wood, although, there's a chance that they might be handcrafted by myself or whatever team ends up on this, instead of pre-purchased.

Recycled Plastics would be likely to happen if we end up with a molding system (this was actually my original idea about a year ago), which could be cool to buy up broken toys and action figures and remold them into guitars. (Maybe buying factory closeouts and donating half of whatever old toys we get?)

A CNC is probably the most likely to happen, but if the kickstarter gets enough backing, it would be interesting to get a mold system that creates blocks that can be cut with a CnC, that way we can do 100% recyclable guitars. (Making deals like I mentioned earlier, if you somehow crack your guitar, we'll remold you one for a fraction of the cost of replacing it, a lot more doable.)

A good portion of what i'm talking about it all idealism, and I don't know what the actuality of this will end up being (maybe we'll end up making a kickstarter with a minimal goal, and a secondary goal too, or something) right now.

IEatCats wrote:Now, here's the shit I've got to ask you guys:

• Would you even be interested in this?
• If you are, about how much would you happily spend, knowing that the guitars are hand/boutique built?
• What types of pickups and designs would you like to see?
• Are there any oddities that you'd like to see in smaller runs? (Baritone, extended strings, small scale, etc)

• Definitely interested if I'd find the cash for one!
• I agree with the 300-500 dollar base model and around 1000 dollar custom consensus.
• If you could get good deals on some boutique that'd be good. But maybe also offer ultra budget models with cheaper pickups if that can bring the price down some more? Thinking GFS ore something like that (they may be able to give you good deals on large quantities too)?
• Would the extra string tension of a 12-string or Bill Kelliher-/Matt Pike style 9-string be possible with the plastic neck? Maybe offer them as a kit or something too?

Great idea! I hope you can pursue it! I also like the idea of recycled plastic by the way

Yeah, from what I know, the added tension won't be an issue if we just do a straight steel reinforcement. If we end up with one pieces, we might just be able to put a steel bar through the body and reinforce the bulk of the guitar at once.

Cheaper pickups sounds like a good idea, but I don't know what I think of the idea in actual production, but I've heard good things about GFS pickups. I'll think about it, though.

just speculation, but I bet GFS would hook you up with a bulk discount too.

A couple things...

Fretboard- My epi Annhilation V has a "phenolic" or plastic resin fretboard and I love it, its got the feel and vibe of an aluminum fretboard with the tone of a wood board. Maybe that's worth looking into?

Pickups- I've had alot of GFS pickups and have 2 guitars with them in them at the moment. For the price they can't be beat. Are they as good sounding as Bare Knuckles? No. But they are 85-90% of the tone at 1/4 or less the cost and like everyone else mentioned they would probably give you one hell of a bulk discount.

how feasible/useful is a 3d printer? seems easier for fully custom guitars and such.

Obulus wrote:

IEatCats wrote:Now, here's the shit I've got to ask you guys:

• Would you even be interested in this?
• If you are, about how much would you happily spend, knowing that the guitars are hand/boutique built?
• What types of pickups and designs would you like to see?
• Are there any oddities that you'd like to see in smaller runs? (Baritone, extended strings, small scale, etc)

• Definitely interested if I'd find the cash for one!
• I agree with the 300-500 dollar base model and around 1000 dollar custom consensus.
• If you could get good deals on some boutique that'd be good. But maybe also offer ultra budget models with cheaper pickups if that can bring the price down some more? Thinking GFS ore something like that (they may be able to give you good deals on large quantities too)?
• Would the extra string tension of a 12-string or Bill Kelliher-/Matt Pike style 9-string be possible with the plastic neck? Maybe offer them as a kit or something too?

Great idea! I hope you can pursue it! I also like the idea of recycled plastic by the way

IF I COULD THINK ABOUT HAVING A CUSTOM 12 OR 9 STRING SO I CAN HAVE ONE MADE FOR A REASONABLE PRICE IN A DESIGN I ACTUALLY LIKE, THAT WOULD BE THE TITS

DarkAxel wrote:IF I COULD THINK ABOUT HAVING A CUSTOM 12 OR 9 STRING SO I CAN HAVE ONE MADE FOR A REASONABLE PRICE IN A DESIGN I ACTUALLY LIKE, THAT WOULD BE THE TITS

Greenfuz wrote:

patrickviolence wrote:how feasible/useful is a 3d printer? seems easier for fully custom guitars and such.

here's the competition: http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/3-D-printer-turns-out-plastic-guitar-3948205.php#photo-3583738

is something thats 3d printed
as strong as something molded

IEatCats wrote:[*]Both neck through (100% plastic)

April Fool's. This sounds horrible. Make the neck wood for god's sake, it's not that expensive.

John wrote:

IEatCats wrote:[*]Both neck through (100% plastic)

April Fool's. This sounds horrible. Make the neck wood for god's sake, it's not that expensive.

I don't know right now what the cost difference would be, but it really comes down to what the tools we'd be able to get would be. If it seems like a viable option, I'd love to make it a choice, and just do small runs of back stock at a time.

Personally, I'd prefer a one piece plastic for mine, and a lot of people here seem to be into the idea, too. (See: ECG's Aluminum Necks).

I've got one of these and the whole neck, including fretboard and frets are plastic

the fretboard and frets are all one molded piece

What's the tone on that like?