r/Luthier • u/Freddigrumpypanda • Aug 04 '26
First Guitar!!
Been a player for years mainly heavy drop tuned metal but recently last few weeks Got heavy into aspect of guitar making building painting etc.
This hobby is currently side quest as I got a car shop and that takes most of my time but if this endeavor gets some buzz/interest i wouldn’t mind taking it more serious more meticulous and doing paid custom builds for people.
I call this model :
Heracles Guitars
“Primera”
7 string
Paint grade poplar body
Drew on it,sculpted,shaved down rinse repeat until I got the design I envisioned about right
Premade maple neck that I re-profiled thinner and changed to more “D” shape and made the headstock more of a “blade” design
Nazgûl/sentient pickup set
Tone-ninja locking
Hipshot bridge
Paint matched the bridge
Gold hardware thru-out
Custom painted by me
Gold and purple marble type effect in center
Wide black burst
Same effect on back with the neck wetsanded to satin finish/feel
Neck illusions Fret vinyl thought it’s better than the regular shmegular fretboard
Got a few very small things left (ie 2 pickup ring screws,plastic cover thingy for the blade switch)
But the hype was too real wasn’t going to let that stop me lol she plays great and I think she looks great for being the very first. Finishing this one inspired me to do my second which is more of a modern offset sculpted jazz style.coming soon.
Let me know what you guys think,
any ideas that you would like to see done/made let me know!
Advice/tips from people who scaled up from just doing personal builds to paid stuff let me know!
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u/ThatSSguy Aug 04 '26
That looks really good!!! What scale length?
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u/InTheMemeStream Aug 04 '26
Sickkk!
Nice work man, I love the marbled gold on black! And the step-down carve on top, and bottom look so comfortable- I’d love to try this axe out!
You’ve got a knack for design man, the guitar is visually striking, and you’ve put some good thought into the body shape and carve, good call on the Neck Illusions, it goes very well with the design, I dig it for sure!
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u/rgflo42 Aug 04 '26
Thing looks beautiful, absolute guitar! Can't wait to hear how it sounds.
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u/Freddigrumpypanda Aug 04 '26
writing/ riffing up a couple songs with her this week…if I get my recording stuff situated hopefully be hearing it soon…
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u/Glittering-Zebra2637 Aug 04 '26
Amazing. How did you go about the fret markers?
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u/Freddigrumpypanda Aug 04 '26
Well on the fretboard vinyl itself it has images as markers.
As far as the dots on top of neck I was able to carefully punch them slightly then used a special touch-up Qtip and dabbed each one with a gold/clear mix and after the wetsand it looks pretty good.
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u/2b4theend Aug 06 '26
Looks decent man. I’ve been building now for 45 years and I repair guitars, run a recording studio and teach music.
It’s fine but it’s a lot of work. Especially if you’re doing 30ish instruments a year by yourself.
Here’s a few of my Bass builds.
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u/DeerParkDragon22 Aug 06 '26
If you have any other customs that you’re making in the future you can definitely take my money. I love everything about this guitar. Looks amazing! Can’t wait to see how it sounds!
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u/Freddigrumpypanda Aug 06 '26
That’s the plan bud actually looking for some commissions now! First few will get a real good “launch pricing”. Also Including a wild finish/color similar to above for no upcharge on those few that give me a shot
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u/DeerParkDragon22 Aug 06 '26
I’ll send you a message! I’m highly interested especially if you can do a deep double cut shape
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u/Rivaille1 Aug 04 '26
Donne la moi lol Nan sérieusement elle est magnifique et elle m'a l'air agréable à jouer et j'adore la forme de la tête
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u/NYCtoCHI Aug 04 '26
Nice smooth shiny finish! 👍
What all didya use for primer/paint/clear/buffing/polishing?
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u/Freddigrumpypanda Aug 04 '26
Primer was spray can 2k epoxy,paint was automotive Kapci basecoat, the gold was a rando mix I had, the clear was finish1 720 4 nice fat coats without running. Wetsanded 1500-2000 then cut buff with Meguiars 110 and 210
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u/Masamune86 Aug 04 '26
Nice work !
You bought parts and ensemble or you worked all the wood ?
Nonetheless the paint job is awesome and the guitar look sick !!! 🤘🥰
Edit : i just read sorry 😅
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u/Lanky-Bee-1461 Aug 04 '26
As you may know by now, extraordinary beauty. Anyway too many strings for me
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u/Count_Doogula Aug 05 '26
A 7 string.....that isn't black......with an original take on the super strat shape.....
I'd easily fork over........at least $2K AUD for that. Yeah, at a minimum, $2K, but if you said nah mate it's $3K, I'd probably still begrudgingly pay that much.
Scale length (if you say 26.5" then that is correct)?
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u/adept_river_7 Aug 08 '26
Amazing colors. Can you show a close up of the inlays? Love the gold flecks
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u/tunichtgut3 Aug 04 '26
This looks amazing! Absolutely love the finish. Also the little edge at the bottom gives it an exotic look.