Aviator Custom Guitars Thread

[seekfreed]

If a custom builder can't make a neck to your spec, walk away.

Mayones does not build necks to your likings as far as I know.

 

[_MonSTeR_]

If a custom builder can't make a neck to your spec, walk away.

Then buy a dcitionary, mark the work "custom" with a post-it note and send them the book in the mail...

Custom /ˈkʌstəm/
adjective
NORTH AMERICAN

1. made or done to order; custom-made.
   "a custom guitar"

Definitions from Oxford Languages

 

[_MonSTeR_]

Mayones does not build necks to your likings as far as I know.

But Mayones, for all the hype aren't really "custom" guitars. They just happen to have a big option list from which you can choose various features and finishes.

It's like the difference between having an "off the rack" suit fitted and having a bespoke suit made...

 

[diagrammatiks]

that's not really what custom means in English. that's why the word bespoke exists.

 

[budda]

Mayones does not build necks to your likings as far as I know.

So they would be a semi-custom shop.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

A true custom shop will let you tweak any/all parameters of the build ime, with the builders offering opinions/insight along the way, eg Schecter Masterworks/ESP Japan, Waghorn, Rick Toone, etc.


Waghorn told me his typical neck thickness/shape as a jumping off point, and I told him exactly what I wanted based off my other customs. Same thing for control layout. I told him exactly how I wanted it setup, with distances between pots and switches based off of what I like.
I mean I told him how I wanted the fan spread and where I wanted the parallel fret, and even sent him the fretfind data just to be sure.

THAT is what true custom is. It's bespoke as diagrammatiks said, tailored exactly for your tastes/needs. Most people have no need of a full custom shop, which is probably why we see less of them anymore. Much easier to offer just a couple of options and streamline your workflow. Even guys like Toone (who built his brand on insane one off guitars) has streamlined his offerings from what I've seen.

 

[seekfreed]

Well, not everybody may be this fortunate to have a custom guitar build for them.
Maybe someone is looking into it and decides to give it shot, unaware of all the posibilities. This person is unsure which route to take, scoures the web, finds Aviator guitars, this forum and our discussion. Then this person makes a decisson helped by our experiences and stories.
Thats one of the manifold reasons for this thread, to bring some clarity into the whole topic of custom or semi-custom shops or however you want to call them.

And to learn something about the English language

 

[seekfreed]

Pic heavy update!

This update will show the different stages of the finishing process and some stunning results!


Body prepared for finish



First layer of stain



After some layers more


Nitro on the neck

logotipo png


First layer of nitro




It's gettin guud...

 

[Ben Pinkus]

Finish looks amazing!

 

[seekfreed]

This image should speak for itself!



The finish was almost the most important part I wanted Jan to get right.
He hit the nail on the head! We were going back and forth with ideas and I told him how I wanted the burst to look like, how far it should go and many more small details.
This is going to be one stunning axe!

 

[budda]

Looks awesome.

 

[soliloquy]

this is turning out great

 

[seekfreed]

Last update before she arrives!

Today I have recieved the good news, the guitar is on its way! And if I'm lucky it'll arrive tomorrow.
The Aviator custom guitars experience has been nothing but amazing so far. Before I do my NGD and review I will update this thread with a little "order review" and talk about how things went and how pleasant it was designing this guitar together with Jan.

Anyways ... here are some pics!

Enjoy!












... he nailed it!

 

[KnightBrolaire]

Last update before she arrives!

Today I have recieved the good news, the guitar is on its way! And if I'm lucky it'll arrive tomorrow.
The Aviator custom guitars experience so far has been nothing but amazing. Before I do my NGD and review I will update this thread with a little "order review" and talk about how things went and how pleasant it was designing this guitar together with Jan.

Anyways ... here are some pics!

Enjoy!












... he nailed it!

gottdamn that looks killer. The reverse headstock and body contours/bigger cutaway give it a more modern vibe (which I really dig).

 

[budda]

I hope it plays as good as it looks!

 

[CanserDYI]

God i love chevron style flame and quilt. Question though, obviously the block of wood it starts at will dictate what the bookmatch will look like, but if you were to just have a large surface area of flame could you just cut them at angles and match them like a chevron flame?

Morely asking if its something that is luck of the wood or if you could repeat it consistently.

 

[seekfreed]

gottdamn that looks killer. The reverse headstock and body contours/bigger cutaway give it a more modern vibe (which I really dig).

You can say das! It's exactly what I wanted. A contemporary but classic looking Tele that oozes style!

I hope it plays as good as it looks!

Those were my words!

God i love chevron style flame and quilt. Question though, obviously the block of wood it starts at will dictate what the bookmatch will look like, but if you were to just have a large surface area of flame could you just cut them at angles and match them like a chevron flame?

Morely asking if its something that is luck of the wood or if you could repeat it consistently.

I'd suggest you talk to Jan about that. But if I would have to guess I'd say he is pretty buisy at the moment. Why not give it a try?

 

[Ben Pinkus]

Man, one of the best modern styled T's I've seen - enjoyed the build update thread thanks!

 

[Ross82]

Did you get it yet??

 

[seekfreed]

Did you get it yet??

Yeah, I recieved it about 3 weeks ago.
Luckily Jan ain't no Vik!

Currently I'm still in the honeymoon phase and waiting with the NGD until I really know the guitar.
So far I love it!