Custom Kelly 7 string

[alexggbr]

I'm getting my 1st 7 string made. I chose a jackson kelly model [which I owned and I am crazy about], with the following specs:
- 7 string;
- 26.5" scale;
- "vinhático" body [I couldn't find an English word for this wood, it is somewhat simillar to mahogany in density, but a bit lighter and less bassy];
- quartersawn maple neck;
- ebony fingerboard;
- figured maple veneer on the headstock;
- set in neck;
- tune-o-matic bridge with strings through body;
- JB-7 and Jazz-7 passive pickups;
- Schaller mini locking tuners;
- Inlays: white abalone triangles;
- White finish with black bevels;

These are the pics so far. What I like about this luthier is that he is really concerned about finishing and playability of the guitar, so the neck profile is just awesome, really comfortable [for those who enjoy thin necks].

I'll post more pics as it gets closer to conclusion...

 

[Apophis]

looks great so far

 

[hairychris]

Looks interesting and rather badassed, definitely. "Persea indica" looks to be some sort of avocado wood....

 

[Sebastian]

I believe this is the wrong forums section for this kind of a thread...

Still looks great so far ! Hope the headstock will look like a Jackson

 

[Banana Wedgie]

Looks great, you have taste in guitars!

I then I stumbled across this ...

What I like about this luthier is that he is really concerned about finishing and playability of the guitar, so the neck profile is just awesome, really comfortable [for those who enjoy thin necks].

Who is this luthier? I like thin necks and the Kelly body

Therefore, I will pay him the price several internal organs for a 6 string version of yours.

 

[alexggbr]

Well, I actually redesigned the headstock a little bit so that the 1st string would follow more of a straight line between the nut and tuners, but still looks pretty jackson to me. Actually, it looks more like Jackson than an Indian cheap Jackson I owned...

Who is this luthier? I like thin necks and the Kelly body

Therefore, I will pay him the price several internal organs for a 6 string version of yours.

His name is Fraterno and he lives here in Natal/RN/Brazil. He is the best luthier I know here. He does a really great job, since buying wood to, as I said, finishing and stuff. He also gives lifetime guarantee on his instruments, so whenever one needs to do any ajustments to it he does it for free.

The only con is that since he builds everything in a pretty handcrafted way, he doesn't do some sorts of finishing, like crazy custom MOP or abalone inlays or bindings. The ones on my guitar I did it myself. Custom crazy paintings is a no-go, too.

But aside from that, he is the best I know and will definitely have him making other guitars for me. He makes all kinds of stringed instruments,from acoustic 6,7 and 8 string guitars [his actual expertise], to craviolas, basses, electric guitars, you name it. Banana Wedgie, add me on Windows Live Messenger if you want to get in touch with him.
alexggbr@gmail.com

 

[alexggbr]

detailed headstock photos...

 

[synrgy]

<-- Jealous. WANT.

Thanks for sharing! Keep the updates coming!

 

[Sebastian]

Well, I actually redesigned the headstock a little bit so that the 1st string would follow more of a straight line between the nut and tuners, but still looks pretty jackson to me. Actually, it looks more like Jackson than an Indian cheap Jackson I owned..

Well yeah the 1st will be straight line.. but the 7th will have an insane angle ...
could be the pics .. heh...
I'm just sayin'

Still can't wait to see more progress pics

 

[Dickicker]

OMG! I cant WAIT to see the finished product!

 

[svart]

looks damn cool! curious about the outcome!

 

[alexggbr]

Well yeah the 1st will be straight line.. but the 7th will have an insane angle ...
could be the pics .. heh...
I'm just sayin'

True! The thing is I prefer that on the 7th rather than the 1st ... anyway, i suppose it was a good compromise.

 

[Sebastian]

True! The thing is I prefer that on the 7th rather than the 1st ... anyway, i suppose it was a good compromise.

Well.. if you would use the "COW7" headstock just not reversed..the angles would be ok

still its probably the pics ... cant wait to see some more

 

[alexggbr]

Well.. if you would use the "COW7" headstock just not reversed..the angles would be ok

Is this the headstock you mentioned? the 1st two on the left

I confess that I hadn't seen this headstock model before, but I couldnt think of a different one for the Kelly design. Even the reversed one I think it looks terrible (I saw Silenoz using one in a dimmu borgir video)

 

[Sebastian]

Actually the first two from the left have the SLS headstock, the 3rd from left is a COW7...
I think the reversed headstock rules, but hey... I have one

What I meant was ... take the reversed headstock.. and unreverse it
so it looks like this:

Or this:

 

[alexggbr]

Oh I see! Yeah the 1st string is not as angled as I thought. It looks nice! And I actually like the reversed headstock, even in terms of ease of access to the tuners I think it's better, but I don't think it looks good on a kelly, it kind of..."breaks" the line and direction of the design.

Anyway, got some new pics of the bevels and inlays in place (/anxiety mode on)

 

[headibanez]

those inlays.........

 

[guitarplayerone]

unfortunately +1 ^

why not just go with jackson-style inlays?

 

[alexggbr]

I had a Jackson with sharkfin inlays ... and I got tired of it. Then I saw this pattern on a ESP(Galder signature) and I really liked it. Plus I am lazy and triangle inlays were easier to work on.. hehehehe

 

[Troegenator]

I like it, and i dont usually like Kellys. Make sure and show us how it turns out.

And if you ever decide to part with that Jackson SLSMG...get a hold of me!