Tom Drinkwater
ERG/ERB Builder
I am assuming that you have read this:
Novax Guitars: Instrument Sales
Multiscales are sweet.
The question that you missed is which fret is to be perpendicular to the center line of the instrument.
Here are some other considerations to think about:
1) The bridge. Single string bridges are expensive. Whether you buy ABM, Megatar, Hipshot or have them made they will be big bucks. ERG means more strings and that means more $$$$$$.
2) Strings. Not everyone wants a guitar that is dependent on custom strings. If possible try to design the guitar so that you can use major brand strings. That way you can still use custom strings to tune higher or lower but you will always have string available for the instrument.
3) Price. Multiscale ERG's are extremely labor intensive to build. Every thing is hand made as none of the major suppliers offer multiscale fretboards, slanted 9 string pickups, sets of anything but 6 tuners, etc., etc. Be prepared to ask for $2500 as a minimum. That will help you pay for the parts for the next guitar that you build. Anything less than that will have you building guitars for the fun of it.
4) There is a very tiny market for this type of guitar. You will not only need to build but market the instrument and prove to every one of your potential customers that they need one before they hand over a small fortune for the guitar. A 6 string guitar sells itself. 9 string guitars don't. There is a good reason why there isn't a multiscale 10 string hanging on the wall at your favorite music store right now.
5) Opinions from people online (mine included) shouldn't be taken all that seriously as we don't what you want out of your guitars. If your guitars don't turn you on than they will never make anyone else happy either. You should probably build a couple first and play the crap out of them. That is the best way to answer your questions.
Good luck.
Novax Guitars: Instrument Sales
Multiscales are sweet.
The question that you missed is which fret is to be perpendicular to the center line of the instrument.
Here are some other considerations to think about:
1) The bridge. Single string bridges are expensive. Whether you buy ABM, Megatar, Hipshot or have them made they will be big bucks. ERG means more strings and that means more $$$$$$.
2) Strings. Not everyone wants a guitar that is dependent on custom strings. If possible try to design the guitar so that you can use major brand strings. That way you can still use custom strings to tune higher or lower but you will always have string available for the instrument.
3) Price. Multiscale ERG's are extremely labor intensive to build. Every thing is hand made as none of the major suppliers offer multiscale fretboards, slanted 9 string pickups, sets of anything but 6 tuners, etc., etc. Be prepared to ask for $2500 as a minimum. That will help you pay for the parts for the next guitar that you build. Anything less than that will have you building guitars for the fun of it.
4) There is a very tiny market for this type of guitar. You will not only need to build but market the instrument and prove to every one of your potential customers that they need one before they hand over a small fortune for the guitar. A 6 string guitar sells itself. 9 string guitars don't. There is a good reason why there isn't a multiscale 10 string hanging on the wall at your favorite music store right now.
5) Opinions from people online (mine included) shouldn't be taken all that seriously as we don't what you want out of your guitars. If your guitars don't turn you on than they will never make anyone else happy either. You should probably build a couple first and play the crap out of them. That is the best way to answer your questions.
Good luck.
