Special NGD - Forum Member Content

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Mattallica
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Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Mattallica »

I've had this beauty for a weeks now but the final replacement string arrived today, so I can show it off with all its teeth!

This is a collaborative effort between myself and Grant (lostininverness). The man is prolific!
Collaborative is this case meaning I only supplied the design, neck, hardware and walnut while Grant did everything else...!
then I took the final hurdle and subsequent glory by doing the wiring.
The idea came about post CHCH gearfest early 2020. I was GASing for a single pickup machine and was witness to the Grant/Reg semi hollow build of the time. We made a gentlemen agreement after the fest. I think a week later level 4 happened?
I sourced the parts and completed the design over the next couple months. From then on we both chipped away at it sporadically. There was no timeframe for this, just when it suited in between life things and stuff. I think it's better for it.

The walnut came from Halswell Timber. The pickup was directly from Lace. Neck and all other hardware from Musicgift (nice guy, helped me out with some bits that weren't listed on the site). Grant supplied the kahikatea (thanks!).

For the design I measured an RG and made changes in AutoCAD from there. I had no ideas for the final shape. I just chopped away at it and pinched ideas from other guitars until I arrived at something that was pleasing yet unique. At least to me. I'm sure someone can point me to a guitar where this has already been done. I had the following criteria:

.Single HB pickup
.RG flat top style
.Natural colours/finish
.Les Paul-ish wood combination (maple/mahogany equivalent)
.Matching wood colours for neck/body/fretboard

I wanted the body to be all native but I couldn't source anything that was close to walnut in appearance and density. But with how well the walnut has turned out, who cares!

Final stats are:

.Bolt on maple neck
.Rosewood fretboard
.Kahikatea centre
.American walnut wings
.Reverse headstock (for increased dynamic aesthetics)
.25.5" scale length
.Ibanez style wizard neck profile
.Locking nut (locks removed, that's just what it came with)
.Hipshot bridge (trem spacing)
.Hipshot open locking tuners (keystone/tulips are ze best)
.Lace Alumitone Deathbucker
.Single volume
.DPDT switch for treble bleed on/off
.Three way blade switch for HB/split mode/ground (mute)
.NYXL 9-46
.Thin satin poly finish (Grant please confirm?)
.Straplocks

How does it play? better than my other guitars. Grant nailed the set up on this. The action is sitting just right. So comfy. The light tops makes playing a dawdle while the heavy bottoms give some resistance for digging in. I haven't weighed it but it's neither light nor heavy. No neck dive.
How does it sound? as I hoped: very well balanced. Lots of low end thump but the highs are still present. I can't say for sure how much the lace is dominating the sound but a good sound it is.
How does it look? just like the drawings! Grant has a keen eye for details and picks up on what most others would miss. He's also done a couple of whiz bang things here that I hope he will elaborate on:

.Stained the walnut to match the rosewood
.Somehow stopped the walnut stain from bleeding into the pine?? and keeping the lines clean.

Did I mention I love how the walnut turned out? Yes. Oh. Well, erm the split mode is real nice with this pickup. No volume drop that I can perceive.

Much gratitude to Grant for helping me make an idea become a reality. To be absolutely clear, I had no part in the construction of all this. That could have been disastrous!
If you too like having your ideas come to fruition, send Grant a PM. If not, well then his super strat build is still available and it is also a winner! you know you want it...

Here are a few pics. More can be found here: https://imgur.com/a/NO1jVfq

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Mattallica
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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Mattallica »

I don't have much in the way of progress pics sorry. Best I can do:

Image

Image

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Post by StrummersOfThunder »

That looks bloody awesome. Great work guys!

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Post by jeremyb »

Nice!! Looks beautifully made!!!
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Post by hamo »

What a cool shape
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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by GrantB »

Wow. That is classy, yet edgy, yet clearly functional. Well done to you both!! And Grant, seriously impressive skills!!
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves

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Post by Zaulkin »

Wow, awesome. I wish I had those skills!

Lostininverness
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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Lostininverness »

It was a fun collaboration. I must admit I wasn't completely sold on the body shape when I first saw it, but by the time the body was built and then contoured, I'd come around to it!!

The hardest part was the finishing. Took some planning and trials to be able to stain the walnut wings dark brown without any bleed thorough onto the kahikatea, and then several go's to work out the best way to get the finish to look its best. Which is a water based satin polyurethane to keep the kahikatea from getting any amber tones and keeping the colour contrast between the two woods.

But yeah, was a fun project!! And thanks to Matt for trusting me to do it!

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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Lostininverness »

hamo wrote: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:09 pmWhat a cool shape
It did grow on me as well. Might need to reuse the shape for something else without Matt knowing!

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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Lostininverness »

GrantB wrote: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:11 pm Wow. That is classy, yet edgy, yet clearly functional. Well done to you both!! And Grant, seriously impressive skills!!
Thanks Grant, appreciate that! And how's that LP Jnr coming along??

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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Mattallica »

GrantB wrote: Mon Mar 29, 2021 7:11 pm Wow. That is classy, yet edgy, yet clearly functional. Well done to you both!! And Grant, seriously impressive skills!!
What a lovely succinct summary. Thanks!

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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Mattallica »

I think it just needs a name then it's good to use... I'll just go for a literal translation. "Ahua Hou" or AH for short

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Post by Danger Mouse »

That is incredible, very nice work!
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Re: Special NGD - Forum Member Content

Post by Kloppsta »

Nice! Bet it plays like buttah! :)

Would this be considered an “offset” guitar?
Little by little, by hook or by crook

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