BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

orpheo

Well-known member
I'm selling this guitar. 750 Euro's

Brent's custom guitar inspired me to finally get this axe together. This guitar is a mishmash of parts and changing specs. Originally, the customer asked for a 25.5'' scale fretboard and I drilled the pilot holes accordingly. However, later he was adamant about getting a 24.75'' scale 24 fret neck. Fine, but I had to change the layout of the bridge a bit to cover the pilot holes. However, due to circumstances, the buyer had to opt out of the build. The way it works is that if you opt out, you loose your deposit. helas :( Hence this color and control layout.

But without further ado:

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Serial MM2001003. (Model, year, month, serial of that month: third of 2020 already!).

Some specs:

* Quilt maple top on black korina (full thickness, solid)
* 17 pcs neck (Caribbean rosewood, ziricote, goncalo alves) with easy access heel
* 25.5'' scale, 24 frets, 9.5'' - 14'' conical radius ebony fretboard
* Split block MoP/Abalone inlay
* Custom Seymour Duncan pickups
* Custom wiring
* Ziricote backplates and headstock veneer cap

The wiring is interesting, to say the least:

1: bridge full in series
2: both in series
3: both in parallel
4: both in series, out of phase (powerphase)
5: neck full in series

Additionally there's a coilsplit under the neck tone push pull pot to give 5 more usable sounds.

And as always, this instrument was crafted by hand in the Netherlands.
 
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Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Great work.


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Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Brent's custom guitar inspired me to finally get this axe together. This guitar is a mishmash of parts and changing specs. Originally, the customer asked for a 25.5'' scale fretboard and I drilled the pilot holes accordingly. However, later he was adamant about getting a 24.75'' scale 24 fret neck. Fine, but I had to change the layout of the bridge a bit to cover the pilot holes. However, due to circumstances, the buyer had to opt out of the build. The way it works is that if you opt out, you loose your deposit. helas :( Hence this color and control layout.

But without further adue:

82776710_3160979620709413_7349287147716739072_o.jpg


82738721_3160979680709407_1150790221575487488_o.jpg


82444800_3160979744042734_3816022672345661440_o.jpg


81845579_3160979800709395_3649873632026427392_o.jpg


82322472_3160979900709385_8888063317285797888_o.jpg


81924790_3160979960709379_6437854736287793152_o.jpg


82323070_3160980000709375_7031874062221574144_o.jpg


82079637_3160980037376038_5871080114489393152_o.jpg



Serial MM2001003. (Model, year, month, serial of that month: third of 2020 already!).

Some specs:

* Quilt maple top on black korina (full thickness, solid)
* 17 pcs neck (Caribbean rosewood, ziricote, goncalo alves) with easy access heel
* 25.5'' scale, 24 frets, 9.5'' - 14'' conical radius ebony fretboard
* Split block MoP/Abalone inlay
* Custom Seymour Duncan pickups
* Custom wiring
* Ziricote backplates and headstock veneer cap

The wiring is interesting, to say the least:

1: bridge full in series
2: both in series
3: both in parallel
4: both in series, out of phase (powerphase)
5: neck full in series

Additionally there's a coilsplit under the neck tone push pull pot to give 5 more usable sounds.

And as always, this instrument was crafted by hand in the Netherlands.

Very nice.

Now onto pickup geekery details, since this is a pickup forum.

1. Describe what makes those pickups custom? Wind amount and/or pattern? Wire gauge? Magnets? Etc.
2. What coils are active in coilsplit mode? Outers? Inners? Hum-canceling or not?
 
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Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Good questions!

Split: outside coils. I believe it is noise less.

Neck pickup: sentient/jazz neck hybrid alnico 5 (sentient dcrew coil).

Bridge: screaming demon/sh6n hybrid alnico5. Sh6n screwcoil.
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

I totally love that hunk of Black Korina...beautiful. And the ebony fretboard is awesome.

Nice work Orpheo.
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

I have to say, that might be my favorite of your creations!
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Thanks guys. The only change I'll be making is a new switch cavity cover. The grain is now angled compared to the korina and it just looks off to me. I might swap out the chrome parts for gold (it's hybrid now) and add a new bridge pickup with just a touch more power (or mag swap the A5 for an a8). It's just a touch too trebly for my taste (but cuts through the mix so, so well).
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Ain't nothing wrong with that colour. It's beautiful. Wood is too. And upper bout switch is freaking great too, I'm guessing the only reason more manufacturers don't do it is because its more difficult and costly than just putting it in the control cavity. But yeah, knob placement is... unorthodox.
 
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Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Ain't nothing wrong with that colour. It's beautiful. Wood is too. And upper bout switch is freaking great too, I'm guessing the only reason more manufacturers don't do it is because its more difficult and costly than just putting it in the control cavity. But yeah, knob placement is... unorthodox.

Yeah you're absolutely right. I have been inspired by PRS' 594 model:

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But also by PRS' first wiring schematics for the first iteration of the Custom 24, with the phase reversal under the 5way, etc. But I wanted to make it all my own.

And you're right. The 5 way up there on a carved top is difficult but I really feel that's the best location for it. It feels so natural. I have (build) this guitar:

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the toggle is 'below' the strings (on the lower bout) and that feels so, so unnatural to me. Only on a tele and strat can I handle the toggle being there. Perhaps on an SG too but frankly, it all feels weird to me ;)
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

OH and Yes, I know that there's no trussrod recess cover. I frankly don't like them anymore and I'm thinking of pivoting away from this design. I've done it this way since 2013 but I'm finding it a true nuisance for setup work. Instead of it being a 1 minute job with one tool (4mm hex key for the trussrod) I actually need a screwdriver as well, plus taking off the plate is always a pain. So I only make one when I sell the guitar.

Just putting it out there so you guys understand/know I do see it but opted to not do it for reasons stated above :)
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Out of curiosity, what would that bad boy cost?
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

The way it is spec 'd right now? $3000. If I could do it for less I really would. :(
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Thanks guys. The only change I'll be making is a new switch cavity cover. The grain is now angled compared to the korina and it just looks off to me.

Yup, it does look off. My OCD says so. :) Apart from that, beautiful! Someone (looking at you, Orpheo ;) ) on here here told me that its hard to be originial in this business nowadays and then you post this. :) Hats off, Mister!
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

Yup, it does look off. My OCD says so. :) Apart from that, beautiful! Someone (looking at you, Orpheo ;) ) on here here told me that its hard to be originial in this business nowadays and then you post this. :) Hats off, Mister!

and I can't blame you!

I am happy to learn that you feel this is original enough to be seen as original. What for me is of paramount importance is that there's a sense of continuity in my work. I try to change as little as possible to (my) basic designs, only refine. For example, the pinstriping in the neck, between headstock and headstock cap, fretboard and neck blank: I do that in all my guitars. it's so, so hard to really do something the same in every guitar because each guitar is really different. You'll also never ever see me use plastic backplates. I'd rather have my profit margin slashed by 50% and get wood than do plastics.
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

OK - I swore NO guitar purchases for a year....but you are making it difficult!!!!

I'd love to see that with all gold hardware!!!!
 
Re: BrentRocks inspired me: my own carved double cutaway

OK - I swore NO guitar purchases for a year....but you are making it difficult!!!!

I'd love to see that with all gold hardware!!!!

You referring to the knobs and tuners? I agree. Brings out the warmth in the natural woodtones. Also since yellow is the complimentary color to purple, it really sets it off.

Hey, wait a minute. I thought you didn't like gold hardware.
 
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