M-3 California models

[Strat-o-rama]

Raygun,
This is looking real sweet! Keep us updated as things progress.

[raygun85]

Here's a picture of the new vibrato we're working on....

[MWaldorf]

Wow - those are looking good! Is there a particular reason you are going with the half size base plate instead of the full size one that goes under the bridge?

[raygun85]

More or less so that its more universal. We're still working on the vintage style bridge. Its a bit of a pain to reproduce so there will have to be a real demand before we can justify the time and dollars that would go into it. If sales turn out to be good and we continue to produce these guitars then we'll definately start offering a full-size vibrato.

[raygun85]

Had a little time to kill and decided to post some more pictures today.

[raygun85]

Working on pickups again today...



Hot pickups!

[MWaldorf]

Looking good!

For the neck, am I correct that there are two pieces of wood - the neck and the headstock (+ the join) Mosrite necks are usually one piece or two pieces side by side lengthwise (plus a fretboard), and they also have a volute. Not that you should build slavish reproductions of vintage Mosrites, but you've got so many other details down I figured I'd mention it.

[raygun85]

Yeah, this just seemed simpler and more economical. We're trying to make these guitars quick to build and a good quality. Years ago when Nokie Edwards was having those red and flame finish Fillmores made we were up at his house while he was meeting with one of thier luthiers from Japan and he pointed out that he wanted the volute removed because it got in the way of his playing. Interesting enough I think the Hitchhiker has the volute, but that incident always stuck out in my dad's mind. As a player I'm not crazy about it myself but it wouldn't hinder my choice in purchasing a guitar either.
Nokie's nephew JC pointed out that the angled headstocks are prone to breakage so we decided to reinforce it with the scarf joint. Technically it is a 2-piece neck (neck + headstock), though both pieces came from the same piece of maple.
It looks like we also may be dropping the Graphtech saddles, they just aren't living up to the hype that thier sales rep related to us. I think we'll be going back to a roller bridge.

And you're right! We're not trying to build exact replicas...I think Ed Elliot is just about the only luthier who can really do that!

We're sort of blending vintage and modern building techniques for what we hope will be an explosive combination. But we definately want to retain the vintage look and tone! For sure...

[dorkrockrecords]

Interestingly enough, although that headstock construction would look more at home on a Kramer or Jackson than a Mosrite, Brass Rail 007 (which I used to own) is built in the very same way, scarf joint and no volute and all.

Adam

[Veenture]

For the neck, am I correct that there are two pieces of wood - the neck and the headstock (+ the join) Mosrite necks are usually one piece or two pieces side by side lengthwise (plus a fretboard), and they also have a volute.

Good point Mel, I'm glad you brought it up; I should have done so earlier on but did not want to risk appearing to be 'Mosrite ignorant' . I noticed that "two piece" neck too and thought that it was probably a common thing...since I detected the same 'feature' on my H60C too! But I'm not worried about it!!

Raygun, if your guitars are anything of the quality of the pictures, then you've got a good thing going...the pictures are excellent. Thanks.

[edit] I only noticed dorckrockrecords' input after I posted. Adam, glad to learn about the "scarf joint"...on Brass Rails too!!!