Starting My Own Guitar Company

[GNAPPI]

Lots of luck!!!

Whatever you do don't copy well known maker's head design, and don't be too radical with the one you come up with. "Snake" heads are out! Do not make the body too thin, or too fat, or too wide, or narrow for that matter, make it just right for everyone.

Use only wood that EVERYONE agrees on, and bling it up just a wee bit but not too much... I won't even get into colors or fret markers, you likely already know what we all want no?

Gads, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes :-)

[Hammertone]

...Judging from past threads, what many jazz guitarists would appreciate is a reasonably-priced, lightweight laminate build à la ES-125, maybe 2" rims and some attention to feedback resistance - i.e. a reliable gigging tool. One neck-mounted mini-HB like Schaller's AZ instead of a stingy P-90 might be my preference. I admit it's a bit of a Bermuda Triangle between Godin 5th Avenue, ever-improving Asian builds and the ocean of used archtops and semis out there. Any striking or unorthodox design features will help you stand out but also scare away some; guitarists are utterly conservative. ....

I think the market will love a 24 3/4" scale, carved top/carved back archtop with 3" rims, 17" wide, Venetian cutaway, floating pickup, made with an Alpine spruce top that has been air-dried for a decade, then rough-carved, then air-dried for over 50 years prior to final carving and finishing. It will need some distinctive features to separate it from the crowd. Something a bit like this, perhaps:

[Longways to Go]

How exciting!

I'm sure you will try to make some cool guitars, which the world surely needs more of.

I'd probably try to make a model that appeals to young rockers too. Why not?

Best of luck on your new venture. It will be fun to see what you come up with.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

What exactly are you to do?

[Archie]

you likely already know what we all want no?

I'm working on it.

[Archie]

How exciting!

I'm sure you will try to make some cool guitars, which the world surely needs more of.

I'd probably try to make a model that appeals to young rockers too. Why not?

Best of luck on your new venture. It will be fun to see what you come up with.

Those young kids with their loud rock and roll.

You might be right though!

[Archie]

What exactly are you to do?

Well, lots of little things building up to one big thing.

I'm just taking things one step at a time. I know what the end goal is but to get there, I have to start what seems like a million miles away.

I'll make sure to keep you and everyone up to date. As things develop the path will become clearer.

[Jim Soloway]

I wish you luck and success. It's a very tough business but it can be done.

[Archie]

I wish you luck and success. It's a very tough business but it can be done.

Thanks Jim.
I've always enjoy the look and sound of your guitars.
I hope one day I'll get to play one.
Cheers.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Well, lots of little things building up to one big thing.

I'm just taking things one step at a time. I know what the end goal is but to get there, I have to start what seems like a million miles away.

I'll make sure to keep you and everyone up to date. As things develop the path will become clearer.

[Tal_175]

I think there is a solid market for thinline hollowbodies. There are many variations like ES 330 style, single cutaway, 16 inch, 14 inch etc. Eastman has been selling them well I think.

PRS is also making hollowbody, "archtops" in solid body sizes. But I think their designs are based on CNC chambering/carving rather than being traditional, braced archtops with separate sides and back.

[Woody Sound]

Long time AH, good to hear from you again, and good luck! I hope it works out, keep us in the loop.

[Fear the Reaper]

"Tell your ma, tell your pa, Im going back to Arkansas!"

I dare say he might be from Arkansas.
England, Arkansas - Wikipedia