Custom TL-1A

[Johnbamb]

Pick ups
DiMarzio DP706 D Sonic in the Bridge - 12.03 Kohm Ceramic magnet
DiMarzio DP713 Titan in the Neck - 10.09 Kohm Ceramic magnet



I make the template for routing like a frame. The tabs for screws are done freehand

[Johnbamb]

[Johnbamb]

Really happy with the finished guitar. The sound is huge.
Really deep low end tones and very clear highs.

[Johnbamb]

Polished up and tuned. I will wait a week or so to do the final set up.
dadario 10-64s
wiring is a 3 way blade , volume and a mini toggle for the bridge (north split, HB, south split)

[McCreed]

I don't have any interest in 7-strings, but from purely a build point of view, nice work!
I like the alterations to the body. Nice break from tradition.

[bassdude]

I don't have any interest in 7-strings, but from purely a build point of view, nice work!
I like the alterations to the body. Nice break from tradition.

Ditto. I also think the reverse headstock with a longer lead on the bass strings aids the deep lows you've achieved. Nice job!

Peter

[Johnbamb]

Ditto. I also think the reverse headstock with a longer lead on the bass strings aids the deep lows you've achieved. Nice job!

Peter

I don't have any interest in 7-strings, but from purely a build point of view, nice work!
I like the alterations to the body. Nice break from tradition.

Thank you both for the kind feedback.

I also think this will be my last 7 string as I have 4 now! (I don't know how that happened)

Spending more on the pick ups than the rest of the build certainly makes the biggest tonal difference.
I think of it like wood properties - only i call it "TONE ELECTRONICS"

[Simon Barden]

As long as the guitar feels good to play, then you rarely go wrong by spending money on decent pickups. Pickups definitely make most of the sound of the guitar.

Wood is rarely a factor in the sound, though occasionally some bits of wood can adversely affect the sound and suck the brightness and sustain from a guitar.

[Johnbamb]

I have a couple go to woods depending on the style i want.

Basswood and (in this case) Alder are the easiest to paint
Asian mahogany for lighter weight guitars
Ash for mad figuring and raw finishes - they are heavy so I don't use it as much
Pallets and tables for mad designs ideas i come up with