Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

[sysdoa]

http://custom.jameshoodguitar.com/product/custom-guitar-by-jhg/

I can probably guess on some of the things we need to add, but what do you think overall? Appreciate the feedback in advance. These guitars are by James Hood in Carlsbad, CA. We just launched the site jameshoodcustomguitar.com where theres a new video and what not. We took all of the feedback from my first post asking for your guys feedback and from tdpri, thank you again!, and we're implementing them into our newer versions now. This configurator was completed a month or so ago and we're attempting to expand on it, but the architecture and site memory are restrictive. This was inspired by the Fender Custom Shop and Moniker guitar sites. Hopefully as the budget grows, so will the capabilities of the configurator!

 

[Wattage]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

Just a heads up, "Tennon" should be "Tenon"

 

[sysdoa]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

Just a heads up, "Tennon" should be "Tenon"

Nice Catch! Thanks Man!

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

Runs pretty slow on an iPhone 5s will try when I get home, love these things.

 

[sysdoa]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

Runs pretty slow on an iPhone 5s will try when I get home, love these things.

it's true, This is made on fancy product designer for wordpress and I think we've pushed it to its limits on this one. It's actually stand alone because when we attempt to integrate with the site, it crashes due to lack of memory... but it's a reference point. Thanks for the kind words on the guitars Silence Kid!

 

[stratguy23]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

The price point is very nice and the body shape looks intriguing. I'm all for new ventures in this vein; I think Chipotle-style pick-your-ingredients customization is the wave of the future.

The configurator visually looks good, but functionality-wise I wouldn't call it ready for the public yet. In my day job I QA test web builds, so I'm probably pickier about this stuff than most. With that caveat, here are my observations:

1. Save functionality at upper left is confusing. It didn't seem to do anything. I would delete it unless you plan to offer people an account-type system where they can save builds. It looks like only 1 product is in the catalogue right now, so that type of system is unnecessary. I would just delete this functionality.

2. Reset functionality is also confusing. It also doesn't seem to do anything. I would delete it.

3. Zoom functionality is nice, but should have better signage indicating zoom in/out toggling and user click-and-drag. None of that is obvious currently.

4. Download feature is nice; it may be overkill to offer 3 file formats. JPG would probably be sufficient for all users.

5. Undo arrows below guitar and "Clear selection" functionality are confusing. I would delete them. Because so few options are available here, just have user change from blue to black by selecting black. No need for user to have to click "undo" in between.

6. It would be nice to be able to see the guitar from the back.

7. As a user, I would like more customization options, such as body/neck/fretboard wood choices, scale length, neck joint style, bridge style, hardware colors, knob style, and upgrades such as locking tuners and Graphtech nut.

The king of guitar configurators is that of Halo Guitars. Kisekae is very nice also, though it is not oriented towards a realistic object one could buy.

Honestly, with so few options on offer here (body color, pickguard color, pickup configuration), it may actually be easier just to show photos of real guitars. I don't get much of a customization experience when I can only customize 3 things. With Halo, where I can customize basically anything - *that* is a true "make my dream come true" experience, which is what customization is about.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

I just gave it a go and did not find it confusing at all. (And I learned that a cream guitar with tort pickguard and black pickups looks da*n good!)
I did not use anything but the "body," "pickguard," and "pickups" tabs, which seemed very intuitive so I would agree that the other functions are redundant or unecessary.
My only "constructive criticism" would be to add a hardware color option? Black vs. chrome vs gold or nickel? I do think picking a color, pickguard, and pickups is a smart way to make the guitar personalized while keeping costs under control.
I hope it goes well. Good luck!

 

[sysdoa]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

The price point is very nice and the body shape looks intriguing. I'm all for new ventures in this vein; I think Chipotle-style pick-your-ingredients customization is the wave of the future.

The configurator visually looks good, but functionality-wise I wouldn't call it ready for the public yet. In my day job I QA test web builds, so I'm probably pickier about this stuff than most. With that caveat, here are my observations:

1. Save functionality at upper left is confusing. It didn't seem to do anything. I would delete it unless you plan to offer people an account-type system where they can save builds. It looks like only 1 product is in the catalogue right now, so that type of system is unnecessary. I would just delete this functionality.

2. Reset functionality is also confusing. It also doesn't seem to do anything. I would delete it.

3. Zoom functionality is nice, but should have better signage indicating zoom in/out toggling and user click-and-drag. None of that is obvious currently.

4. Download feature is nice; it may be overkill to offer 3 file formats. JPG would probably be sufficient for all users.

5. Undo arrows below guitar and "Clear selection" functionality are confusing. I would delete them. Because so few options are available here, just have user change from blue to black by selecting black. No need for user to have to click "undo" in between.

6. It would be nice to be able to see the guitar from the back.

7. As a user, I would like more customization options, such as body/neck/fretboard wood choices, scale length, neck joint style, bridge style, hardware colors, knob style, and upgrades such as locking tuners and Graphtech nut.

The king of guitar configurators is that of Halo Guitars. Kisekae is very nice also, though it is not oriented towards a realistic object one could buy.

Honestly, with so few options on offer here (body color, pickguard color, pickup configuration), it may actually be easier just to show photos of real guitars. I don't get much of a customization experience when I can only customize 3 things. With Halo, where I can customize basically anything - *that* is a true "make my dream come true" experience, which is what customization is about.

Thanks so much stratguy! I'll implement what you noted here for sure, and do agree. Like with so many things, it's easier to take things away than to add them back, so we left some things there we weren't sure anyone would or would not care about. The additional customization is KILLING ME. That's where we're heading. Hoping to have something like that in the very near future. I agree too that it just may not make sense unless those elements are there. Thanks so much, very good points to consider here!

 

[sysdoa]

Re: Feedback on Guitar Configurator for New Guitar Line

Thanks Dave! That's it! We're going to find ways to trim down memory usage in the name of adding more categories to modify! That's what I'm taking from this, you guys are the best!