Well now I've done it...

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Now that I've finally been able to find a few spare hours of copious free time away from work, what's the first thing I do?

I called B&T Dave and Dean and officially get the ball rolling on the first couple of these customs. These are going to be really different, but I'm finally going to have my cake and eat it too. It'll be the first guitars I've ever owned where the electronics are factored in from the get go, which for me is a dream come true.

Dean's in the process of locating the tops of my dreams and I'm finishing up the PCB layouts for the electronics. I'll save the details for later, but these are gonna be damn cool not just electronically, but the whole package.

Many thanks to B&T Dave and Dean for working with me on this (I'm painfully aware my wants are way out in left field), and especially my wife for insisting I get these done.

My biggest dilemma now that the nuts and bolts are figured out is deciding on color schemes. I'm having a hard time calling the ball on that part.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 583 Location: St Joseph Missouri

These are going to be very cool. I love me job. Thanks Mark for letting me be involved with this.

Dave
Bass & Treble

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Uh..

There's nobody else I'd trust it to..

Seriously.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 583 Location: St Joseph Missouri

Aw Shucks. Thanks man

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 7640 Location: Florida

my interest is peeked - even thought the finished product will more than likely be way over my head. This going to be a mega pager thread like 100%Tone's Z refinish?

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Suffice to say it's been in the works for months now. There were some technical holds on both my end, as well as Dean's in terms of things that couldn't be done originally, and now they can.

On my side, it's along the lines of the stuff I've done to most of my guitars already, but without the constraints of how many controls I could effectively use, and how I physically get the bridge saddle lines back to the controls cavity. This is now almost complete (I'm at the PCP layout stage at present).

On Dean's side, it's been the want of something I've always thought SHOULD be available on USA's that wasn't until now. Anybody who's paid any attention to my previous wants should be able to figure this one out pretty easily.

The rest is pure cool factor, plain and simple.

=)

Guest

Sounds intriguing Mark. Curious to see what ya come up with. Between you and that Hans guy, I am getting the URGE to do a personal masterpiece as well. Wink

Mine will be a Hardtail, in a finish to be decided on later(that's the hard part!). The tax man should be waaay nice to me this year, and I just may lay it all on the table fer a big ole spin! The bus thing fell thru, and I need sumthin to relight my fire. And this iz like my thirty-second anniversary of being a musician. With no end in sight ! So, why not? It's also been twenty-some years since my last custom USA DEAN. I got the fever, babeeee! Somebodeee Spray Paint Meeeee! POW POW POWWWW! Twisted Evil

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14463

deanmaniac wrote:

Somebodeee Spray Paint Meeeee!

It's been a while since we've heard that one. A classic.

Mark, this would make a great write-up on why you did specific things in a certain way. The one you did wayback on the Blueburst rewiring was a great story. Pictures, documentation, hurdles, bonuses, the works.

A big congratulations to you. Here's hoping it turns out exactly as you want.

Jim

Guest

60srocker wrote:

These are definitely signs of mid-life crises! Mr. Green

HEY! Whatchit you! I CAN STILL PULL IT OFF! Rolling Eyes

Plus, I got the best drummer in the world on board for sure now, so look out world! Apearing courtesy of Sony/Portait records!

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Quote:

These are definitely signs of mid-life crises!

Definately hit in the age group.

However, it's still cheaper than a plane, sportscar, or yacht, and a lot easier on the marriage than an affair. Could be lots worse.

Besides, for years I've been very much an off the shelf consumer. New cars have been what I needed, not what I wanted. Every major purchase has been a coldly calculated best bang for the buck deal.

It's kind of neat to finally go completely outside the off the shelf route.

=)

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 2131

LewnWorx wrote:

Quote:

These are definitely signs of mid-life crises!

Definately hit in the age group.

However, it's still cheaper than a plane, sportscar, or yacht, and a lot easier on the marriage than an affair. Could be lots worse.

Besides, for years I've been very much an off the shelf consumer. New cars have been what I needed, not what I wanted. Every major purchase has been a coldly calculated best bang for the buck deal.

It's kind of neat to finally go completely outside the off the shelf route.

=)

amen, getting close to this point myself...it's time to buy for me in addition to necessity.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 4406 Location: Hostile Territory

Ha Ha - why buy a $70,000 penis to drive around in when you can have a custom one off Dean?

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 10:44 am

Totally cool Mark! Can't wait to see the finished product....
Chuck

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 1:30 pm

Sounds like it's going to be some cool stuff! Cool

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 403 Location: Cincinnati, OH

Some Color suggestions;

trans flamed map[le blue burst (since you're already a fan of BB)

All natural trtans flame (come on, join the club, ha ha ha!)

Desert Gold burst W/Flame top

You could try hans' patented Beer Burst, ha ha ha!

how about indian turqouise on a RICH quilt, and it'll look like pool water, especially when it moves in the light!

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Joe, good calls.

The trans blueburst is on my short list for the quilt.

The all natural is being heavily considered for the Spalt top one.

I'm not sure about the indian turquoise though. They probably look better in real life than they do in stills, but I've never seen one, so I don't know..

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 583 Location: St Joseph Missouri

natural on the Spalted is a must. By the way, that is only my opinion. I have the Indian Turquoise V coming in so I will let you know what that really looks like when it lands. Whatever you deceide will look great.

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Quote:

natural on the Spalted is a must

Well, my second choice was just to paint it puke green.

=)

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 1149 Location: Plantation, FL

LewnWorx wrote:

I'm not sure about the indian turquoise though. They probably look better in real life than they do in stills, but I've never seen one, so I don't know..

Yes you have, Mark...that ML hanging on the wall at DOA was that same color. It was right in the middle of the wall to the right of the door.

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2003 10:44 pm

LewnWorx wrote:

Now that I've finally been able to find a few spare hours of copious free time away from work, what's the first thing I do?

I called B&T Dave and Dean and officially get the ball rolling on the first couple of these customs. These are going to be really different, but I'm finally going to have my cake and eat it too. It'll be the first guitars I've ever owned where the electronics are factored in from the get go, which for me is a dream come true.

Dean's in the process of locating the tops of my dreams and I'm finishing up the PCB layouts for the electronics. I'll save the details for later, but these are gonna be damn cool not just electronically, but the whole package.

Many thanks to B&T Dave and Dean for working with me on this (I'm painfully aware my wants are way out in left field), and especially my wife for insisting I get these done.

My biggest dilemma now that the nuts and bolts are figured out is deciding on color schemes. I'm having a hard time calling the ball on that part.

Finally

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 12:31 am

trans black or trans blackburst

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 1:16 am

The nicest top and colour combination I have ever seen with my own eyes was an Indian Turquoise Quilt Hardtail that was being made for Kerry Livgren. It was the most awesome color I have ever seen and your right - the stills don't do it justice. Before I saw it personally, I had little to no interest in the color.

Now, unless I miss guess, you guitar won't be ready for the spray both prior to DOAIII. So, have a look see there and see the colors with your own eyes!

Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 4:36 am

Mark- I just met a guy in Mexico, We played Golf together,- He does MIDI on a cool Custom guitar he had built for him. Damn if I can find the Bus. card right now. He think's and plays along your line's Smile

Try "MichaelPowersMusic.com" for a link. Figured I share any info I know.

F.G.

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 403 Location: Cincinnati, OH

Mark,

YUou're not too far frrom Steph, who got the ML I sold Dana, Check it out, it's the same color with a light quilt and you'll see what I mean. now imagine it with a HEAVY quilt, and it'll make you cry... If I had the cash to order a second one, I'm telling you for sure that is the color I'd get! Indian Torquise with a heavy quilt!

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 303

Bassandtreble wrote:

... I love me job....
Dave
Bass & Treble

What are you, a pirate !?!?

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 583 Location: St Joseph Missouri

AAAARRRRRRRR MATEY

Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 14463

Next thing you know, he'll want gold dubloons as payment for all of these custom shop numbers going through his place and have a parrot on his shoulder.

Jim

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 583 Location: St Joseph Missouri

Ummmmm gold dubloons.................

Joined: 02 Dec 2003 Posts: 2705 Location: Dallas, TX

Being as I have 15 parrots, maybe I can just pay him off in birds.

Nah, I couldn't part with any of em..