Page 26 of 28

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2023 5:53 pm
by BTL
Next up, my custom rings and plates as they arrive to me...laser-cut from 0.059" mild steel.

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Fri Nov 03, 2023 4:50 pm
by BTL
Adding a 10-string baseplate using the existing saddles and intonation screws is an easy path forward. I'm adding 10 of these to the existing 8-string order and it sounds like they might sell pretty quickly.

This was so much simpler than I imagined.

Image

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:12 am
by BTL
Proof of life: 8-string & 10-string base plates.

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2024 6:14 pm
by BTL
The 9-to-5 has kept me beyond busy since I started my new role, but I have a few things cooking in the background. 

One little update is that I have decided to offer what I'll call a "standard" symmetrical shape on the new necks coming through the pipeline. These will be based on the 3+2 shape, but without the bottle-opener. I'm curious to see if these sell quicker as replacement necks vs. the bottle-opener. 

I think they will, but only time will tell.

Image

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2024 3:48 am
by Shadoweclipse13
I think they will sell pretty well especially with the scale options you offer. It's a nice shape!!

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:01 am
by BTL
Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Thu Jan 25, 2024 3:48 am
I think they will sell pretty well especially with the scale options you offer. It's a nice shape!!
Thank you so much! It's hard to believe I've been at this for fourteen years, now, and I'm still trying to figure out what works. :)

The conversion necks and the 8-string bridges have been my hottest items, but I still enjoy doing complete builds, even though they have been a "loss leader".

The bottom line is that I'm still having fun, so I keep moving ahead. ;)

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2024 6:20 pm
by BTL
This little Weldon countersink bit is the right tool for the job. These pickup rings will be chrome-plated along with my 8-string bridge parts by Advanced Plating in TN.

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:22 pm
by BTL
After tinkering in MS paint with photos of my existing X+X headstock shapes, I realized there will be a lot of extra space past the tuning machines after the bottle-opener is eliminated, more than what will be filled by the logo. With that in mind, I believe the existing 3+2 shape (minus the bottle-opener) will be perfect for the 4+4, and slightly shorter versions will work for the 3+2 and 2+2.

Image

Image

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 6:30 pm
by BTL
Here's another one of those things that I've been thinking about for a while, and it's finally happening: a lightweight chrome-plated aluminum Strat-style knob. The sample is nickel, but the production item will be shiny chrome.

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:42 pm
by GilmourD
Will nickel also be an option?

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 5:00 am
by Gordon
GilmourD wrote:
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:42 pm
Will nickel also be an option?
Yes, for only $0.05 more! :w00t:

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2024 5:30 am
by BTL
GilmourD wrote:
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:42 pm
Will nickel also be an option?
Yes, if these sell well, I will offer them in nickel, too. :)

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:32 am
by BTL
I always get a kick out of seeing my designs used in a build, whether it's a conversion neck or an 8-string bridge. :)

Image

Image

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:00 pm
by BTL
When I have ideas I'm trying to flesh out, paper and pencil is my go-to. This is a Bahama shutter layout for a patio cover at the shallow end of our pool deck. 

Image

Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2024 6:22 pm
by Badabababa
Would you consider making Mustang bass mute? It’s a folded thin metal sheet with holes. With your skills and resources, it shouldn’t be too hard. I know there is a market for it.