Shop Floor Custom

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Sweetwater never even got back with me on this exact same request. I wanted a shop-custom tb-6 with the nazgul look, matte black with black-nickel screws and slugs.
It's been well over a year now and needless to say I moved on long ago. They said they would submit for a quote from SD,,,,,,,,,,,,never heard back from Sweetwater on it.

To be fair I only wanted one tb-6 and that's a lot of hassle for one single unit, but I sure didn't want to make a big commitment until receiving some firm details on price and time.


There's several places online that stock many shop-floor customs and no-logos, so I'd highly suggest going that route unless you have something real specific in mind.

That's discouraging. I always deal with the same guy at Sweetwater and spend tons of money there. My sales guy is always checking on me, so hopefully he will come through.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

You can certainly contact Duncan directly (email or call) to get a price on anything you want. Usually you have to order these Shop Floor Customs from a dealer, but you can always check with SD to see what the 'deal' really is. Officially, the Shop Floor Custom program is explained here.
The Custom options listed are:
1. Logo/no logo. Includes mini humbuckers
2. Bobbin color. For standard-spaced humbuckers only. You can choose from any combination (except Double Crème) or single color from the following: Black, White, Crème, Red, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green.
3. Covers. Where applicable, a cover may be added to pickups or the color of the cover can be changed. Options are Nickel, Chrome, Gold, Black Nickel, Black Chrome, and Powder coated Black. For calibrated sets of Stratocaster pickups, cover colors can be changed.
4. Lead wire. You can elect to change a 4-conductor cable to single conductor cable and vise versa on full size and mini humbuckers only.
5. Bottom plate. On standard spaced humbuckers you can choose long or short legs. Or you can choose a black bottom plate.
6. Wind/polarity. You can choose reverse-wound/reverse-polarity (Rw/Rp) or other on applicable models. For instance, STR-1 Rw/R or OEM 59 RP.
7. Magnet Stagger. Flat/Staggered and Lefty Staggered options on Strat and Tele models where applicable.
8. Pole Pieces. You can choose between Gold, Nickel or Black poles and Studs, or White, Black or Gold cap screws for Invaders.
9. Loaded Pickguard Colors. These come stock in White but Black is an option too!
10. Wax Potting. You can order wax potted Seth Lovers to eliminate microphonics.
11. Single coil bottom plates. Oval vs. V bottom plates for single coils.
12. Single coil spacing. You can order narrow spacing Strat pickups for PT Cort.

Magnet type isn't listed.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Bobbin color & pole pieces are all I want to change, so I should be good to go. However, it doesn't specify 'double allen screws' as an option. Surely if they'll put invader caps on any old pickup they'll do it up full shred style. I suppose we will see.

I've just emailed the custom shop too, to see what they have to say.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Let us know what they tell you. I've been meaning to see if I can order an Alternative 8 with the gothic script logo and black nickel polepieces.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

This is the reply I got. It is what it is...

"What you want would be a full custom shop pickup.
Shop Floor Customs are slight modifications that can be easily swapped out on the production floor to already existing pickup models.
Covers and screws and baseplates are pretty easy changes. There are certain things that get more complicated, and that is when you get referred to the custom shop.
The issue with your particular request is changing a bobbin "type" from the original spec of the pickup. SH-6 has one screw coil and one slug coil. Since changing a slug coil to a screw coil changes the pickup quite a bit from its original spec it takes it out of Shop Floor Custom category (not only do we have to change the bobbin type for your proposed pickup, but we will have to change the baseplate from SH-6 original spec to mount the second screw coil).
If you only wanted to change to hex screws in the screw coil of this pickup and keep the slug poles, it could be made as a Shop Floor Custom.

I hope that helps explain the difference."

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Can’t read the post with dark theme.

I have no idea what the “rules” are, but what was the general understanding about shop floor customs was it had to be something that used existing parts. Reverse zebra, twin screw coils, different magnets, etc.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Can’t read the post with dark theme.

I have no idea what the “rules” are, but what was the general understanding about shop floor customs was it had to be something that used existing parts. Reverse zebra, twin screw coils, different magnets, etc.

You can't see my post?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

This is the reply I got. It is what it is...

"What you want would be a full custom shop pickup.
Shop Floor Customs are slight modifications that can be easily swapped out on the production floor to already existing pickup models.
Covers and screws and baseplates are pretty easy changes. There are certain things that get more complicated, and that is when you get referred to the custom shop.
The issue with your particular request is changing a bobbin "type" from the original spec of the pickup. SH-6 has one screw coil and one slug coil. Since changing a slug coil to a screw coil changes the pickup quite a bit from its original spec it takes it out of Shop Floor Custom category (not only do we have to change the bobbin type for your proposed pickup, but we will have to change the baseplate from SH-6 original spec to mount the second screw coil).
If you only wanted to change to hex screws in the screw coil of this pickup and keep the slug poles, it could be made as a Shop Floor Custom.

I hope that helps explain the difference."

That answer seems a bit bogus to me. #5 on their list is changing the bottom plate, and if they can change 2-conductor to 4-conductor (changing the wiring) and even change the wind direction (RWRP) and change bobbin colors, then putting two screw coils together and changing the baseplate is no more of a significant change to the recipe and should not require a full CustomShop order.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

That answer seems a bit bogus to me. #5 on their list is changing the bottom plate, and if they can change 2-conductor to 4-conductor (changing the wiring) and even change the wind direction (RWRP) and change bobbin colors, then putting two screw coils together and changing the baseplate is no more of a significant change to the recipe and should not require a full CustomShop order.

I was thinking along the same lines. The Full Shred has two rows of hex poles, so unless the hex and screw poles are a different size, that's bogus.

You can certainly contact Duncan directly (email or call) to get a price on anything you want. Usually you have to order these Shop Floor Customs from a dealer, but you can always check with SD to see what the 'deal' really is. Officially, the Shop Floor Custom program is explained here.
The Custom options listed are:
1. Logo/no logo. Includes mini humbuckers
2. Bobbin color. For standard-spaced humbuckers only. You can choose from any combination (except Double Crème) or single color from the following: Black, White, Crème, Red, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green.
3. Covers. Where applicable, a cover may be added to pickups or the color of the cover can be changed. Options are Nickel, Chrome, Gold, Black Nickel, Black Chrome, and Powder coated Black. For calibrated sets of Stratocaster pickups, cover colors can be changed.
4. Lead wire. You can elect to change a 4-conductor cable to single conductor cable and vise versa on full size and mini humbuckers only.
5. Bottom plate. On standard spaced humbuckers you can choose long or short legs. Or you can choose a black bottom plate.
6. Wind/polarity. You can choose reverse-wound/reverse-polarity (Rw/Rp) or other on applicable models. For instance, STR-1 Rw/R or OEM 59 RP.
7. Magnet Stagger. Flat/Staggered and Lefty Staggered options on Strat and Tele models where applicable.
8. Pole Pieces. You can choose between Gold, Nickel or Black poles and Studs, or White, Black or Gold cap screws for Invaders.
9. Loaded Pickguard Colors. These come stock in White but Black is an option too!
10. Wax Potting. You can order wax potted Seth Lovers to eliminate microphonics.
11. Single coil bottom plates. Oval vs. V bottom plates for single coils.
12. Single coil spacing. You can order narrow spacing Strat pickups for PT Cort.

Magnet type isn't listed.

Swapping magnets is easier than many of those options. I could understand it being Custom Shop if you asked for UOA5, but I don't see the reason for that upcharge if you're asking for a magnet that they stock and use in another production pickup. I guess I won't be buying a new Custom8 since swapping a magnet isn't exactly rocket science. It just looks like a lost opportunity to me.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

This is the reply I got. It is what it is...

"What you want would be a full custom shop pickup.
Shop Floor Customs are slight modifications that can be easily swapped out on the production floor to already existing pickup models.
Covers and screws and baseplates are pretty easy changes. There are certain things that get more complicated, and that is when you get referred to the custom shop.
The issue with your particular request is changing a bobbin "type" from the original spec of the pickup. SH-6 has one screw coil and one slug coil. Since changing a slug coil to a screw coil changes the pickup quite a bit from its original spec it takes it out of Shop Floor Custom category (not only do we have to change the bobbin type for your proposed pickup, but we will have to change the baseplate from SH-6 original spec to mount the second screw coil).
If you only wanted to change to hex screws in the screw coil of this pickup and keep the slug poles, it could be made as a Shop Floor Custom.

I hope that helps explain the difference."

That is certainly not how it has been. I would even suggest this person could be mistaken. I would be very disappointed if Duncan has taken this position regarding SFC pickups.

When Evan was here, it seemed to help tremendously having someone on the forum who was in Santa Barbara

 

[Mincer]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Well, swapping magnets isn't difficult for sure, but it isn't on the list that they posted for these Shop Floor Customs. That doesn't mean they didn't do that in the past, but I don't think they have altered that list in quite awhile. In any case, that is the 'official' position.

 

[Blille]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Since it wasn’t on the list I’ve always done the mag swaps myself. I didn’t even ask.

 

[superpete]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

Well, swapping magnets isn't difficult for sure, but it isn't on the list that they posted for these Shop Floor Customs. That doesn't mean they didn't do that in the past, but I don't think they have altered that list in quite awhile. In any case, that is the 'official' position.

man that stinks. You can get the Custom, the Custom Custom, and the Custom 5 at production prices, but to use a8 makes it custom shop? That's just dumb. If anything it should move to the production line, not the custom shop.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

$

 

[jmh151]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

I ordered 4 conductor Nickle covered Slash pickups from Sweetwater- they took a few weeks to come in and cost more more for the set- $320- but it was an easy order.

 

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

UPDATE:

Sweetwater got back to me and the price quoted to me is 105$. So... Either the custom shop guy was wrong, or Sweetwater gets better deals...

 

[dave74]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

It always worries me when info doesn't match-up. Hope they didn't leave out any details or scan your details to quickly and just say "sure we do that all the time for $105".

 

[chris effect]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

It always worries me when info doesn't match-up. Hope they didn't leave out any details or scan your details to quickly and just say "sure we do that all the time for $105".

I had the sales rep double check that I was getting matte black bobbins and double rows of hex screws. When I saw the price I was worried that would send a matte black SH6 with the fillisters swapped out for Allen screws. He said he double checked, so I guess I'll see what I end up with. I know these things don't make much difference in the tone, but it's how I wanted it to look.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

The allen screws do make a difference!

 

[dave74]

Re: Shop Floor Custom

I know these things don't make much difference in the tone, but it's how I wanted it to look.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

With so many brands and models now I think there's no good reason not to get the look and sound you want.

Duncan should really really consider setting their online store up like Dimarzio has.
On the Dimarzio site you can select most cosmetic options for a very small upcharge and just order direct. No middle man required.
Changing screw types however is not one of their auto-options,,,,,,so in that case it's probably the same as with Duncan. (needing to be called-in)