The Deluxester Prototype - Sonic's foray into repeatable scratch builds

[Sonic Mountain]

Hi Guys, thanks for all the supportive words, I'd have binned it by now if it wasn't for this forum. I think I was just a bit exhausted yesterday and not thinking very clearly. It is what it is and it isn't quite right, but I've learnt an enormous amount and it looks like it will play well so I really should be focusing on the more successful aspects

Once it's in playing orientation, it looks O.K. to me.

cheers, Mark.

Yeah I agree, for some reason it does look more correct like that. I held it in front a mirror yesterday and it does work. I have to remember the when I first started drawing this I was going for a brutalist approach focusing on a nice big neck with good fret access and that's exactly what I've got. The neck is very chunky, but I have big hands and fingers so that was intended - especially the extra width to stop me bending the strings off the fret board. So it is mission accomplished in that regard.

Have to say that i really like the shape and proportions. It's original without being ridiculous and pays a homage to a couple of classics without being a knock off. I also think the headstock shape perfectly suits the body - something you don't always get even from the major manufacturers.
If you really don't like it I'll let you pop it in the post to me, as a favour...

Thanks Drew I really appreciate it. It's definitely in the ball park of what I'm going for, I'm just highly self critical. Especially with design and art, always suffer from not feeling good enough at it which is a silly way to feel... especially considering that's how I earn my living. Imposter syndrome is a thing.

It's possibly a little bland looking at the moment, but you haven't got all the hardware on.
I'd also think about moving the bridge pickup back slightly so it's nearer the bridge (or moving the bridge further forwards). The pickup is currently at least an extra coil position away from the saddle than it would be on a say a Les Paul or a Firebird.
Some neck dot markers would also make it a bit more interesting for me.
But I'm still liking the overall shape. Add the rest of the hardware and then see what it looks like.

Yeah I agree, It'll improve with more of the shiny stuff on. The bridge/pick up locations are one of the things I've already changed and the bridge pickup is hard up against that route at the moment, so I'm just going to live with it. I really feel like the adjustments I made, while improving a lot of functionality aspects, are what has lead to it not looking quite right visually. Also agree on the fret markers, I'll make sure I do that on the next one as I have a set here unused.

Just need to have a few more of those yummy kiwi beers and then come back to it.
There are basically 3 main important elements with all guitars....How does it play? How does it sound? How does it look? and I have deliberately listed them in that order as our impressions are sometimes clouded by appearance rather than functionality.
If it looked great and played like a pig that would have been a wasted effort.
To me it looks OK and has bit of Firebird look about it.

Yeah I really just needed to step away. And the Wakachagni is awesome beer. I'm sure the packaging influences my assessment of its flavour, it's great. It does feel like it's going to play well and as you say, that's kinda the main point. I'm dying to see how my Wish pickups sound, but I'm just going to take it slowly from here. Hopefully at some point this week I'll get to that, but I'm not going to pressure myself.