theGirthquake
metalhead
I don't know how I managed to pry myself away from it long enough to make this post, but that's just how much y'all mean to me 
A few months ago I commissioned Peter Arnildstam of Vapula Guitars to build me a custom 8-string axe with one mission in mind: pure, unrelenting devastation. Here's the build thread; if you're interested take a skim through it, there's a little more info than I've given below.
The goods:
- Empire Explorer body
- 28" 8-string neck-through string-through
- Wenge neck
- Macassar ebony fret board
- Alder wings
- Walnut top
- Alder back veneer
- Black tusq nut
- Lundgren M8Cs, wired for series and parallel with push-pull pots
- Custom Jens Kidman Edition 8-str TOM bridge, recessed for straight neck
- Hipshot locking tuners, recessed
- Stainless steel frets
- 100% hand-made
Well, it arrived this morning. BEHOLD
...it plays like a wet ....ing dream. I have played a few 8-strings, including Ibanez and Carvin, and while I don't have anything negative to say about either, this neck...good god this neck. Peter needs to patent this shape. It's amazing...it feels better than most of my 6-strings, plays fast and accurate. Also, wenge is an amazing wood. This whole guitar feels like a rock--it's about as tight and solid-feeling as I could have hoped for. Makes my set-neck '61 Gibson SG feel sloppy. It's balanced well, no neck dive, and while it's by no means a lightweight it's not oppressively heavy. I mean, it is a lot of wood.
And it is absolutely crushing. It is exactly what I wanted, tonally. It's fat, mean, and dark as hell. I was a little worried those Lundgrens were going to be a little delicate/pristine for the sound I wanted, but man is this combo RAW (in the best way possible). It just growls and screams and yet has this eerie clarity to it, it sounds so natural, like it's alive. I'm describing this terribly, but suffice it to say we hit the mark. It's got a ton of character.
Anyway, I can write a more detailed/objective review if wanted. I know there's been a lot of interest in Vapula on here but relatively little information, so I'm willing to share my experience once I can put this axe down for a few minutes. But let me say, as I've said before, that working with Peter has been an excellent experience. He puts a lot of time and soul into his art, and is very willing to work with you on every little detail. He's good people and a pleasure to work with, I have no regrets in choosing him to build my first true custom.
Now, back to playing...
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/lu...a-custom-8-string-build-progress-gallery.html
A few months ago I commissioned Peter Arnildstam of Vapula Guitars to build me a custom 8-string axe with one mission in mind: pure, unrelenting devastation. Here's the build thread; if you're interested take a skim through it, there's a little more info than I've given below.
The goods:
- Empire Explorer body
- 28" 8-string neck-through string-through
- Wenge neck
- Macassar ebony fret board
- Alder wings
- Walnut top
- Alder back veneer
- Black tusq nut
- Lundgren M8Cs, wired for series and parallel with push-pull pots
- Custom Jens Kidman Edition 8-str TOM bridge, recessed for straight neck
- Hipshot locking tuners, recessed
- Stainless steel frets
- 100% hand-made
Well, it arrived this morning. BEHOLD
...it plays like a wet ....ing dream. I have played a few 8-strings, including Ibanez and Carvin, and while I don't have anything negative to say about either, this neck...good god this neck. Peter needs to patent this shape. It's amazing...it feels better than most of my 6-strings, plays fast and accurate. Also, wenge is an amazing wood. This whole guitar feels like a rock--it's about as tight and solid-feeling as I could have hoped for. Makes my set-neck '61 Gibson SG feel sloppy. It's balanced well, no neck dive, and while it's by no means a lightweight it's not oppressively heavy. I mean, it is a lot of wood.
And it is absolutely crushing. It is exactly what I wanted, tonally. It's fat, mean, and dark as hell. I was a little worried those Lundgrens were going to be a little delicate/pristine for the sound I wanted, but man is this combo RAW (in the best way possible). It just growls and screams and yet has this eerie clarity to it, it sounds so natural, like it's alive. I'm describing this terribly, but suffice it to say we hit the mark. It's got a ton of character.
Anyway, I can write a more detailed/objective review if wanted. I know there's been a lot of interest in Vapula on here but relatively little information, so I'm willing to share my experience once I can put this axe down for a few minutes. But let me say, as I've said before, that working with Peter has been an excellent experience. He puts a lot of time and soul into his art, and is very willing to work with you on every little detail. He's good people and a pleasure to work with, I have no regrets in choosing him to build my first true custom.
Now, back to playing...
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/lu...a-custom-8-string-build-progress-gallery.html
Congrats man, it's beautiful and must sound incredible, Enjoy
