Lowe Guitars shop notes

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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Shadoweclipse13
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Thu May 10, 2018 4:11 pm

Yo Brad! Those are looking REALLY great. Kinda sad you sold your number 1?
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Sat May 12, 2018 6:38 am

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Thu May 10, 2018 4:11 pm
Yo Brad! Those are looking REALLY great. Kinda sad you sold your number 1?
Thanks, and no...not at all, I'm very unsentimental that way.

From day one my intent was always to build to sell.

That said, I need to get another one together for myself.

I am the perennial shoelees cobbler... :D
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Sat May 12, 2018 1:13 pm

Hahaha. I know what you mean. Everytime I build some cool piece of furniture for myself, even after slaving for awhile, I always think "I should sell this one, and make a cooler one that's better built for myself after that" :D :D :D
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Fri May 25, 2018 4:52 pm

I know, right?

Well...it's been a long time coming, but branded, finished, and ready to install 32" scale conversion necks will be available by the end of this weekend.

Here's the first one getting finished up:

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Sun May 27, 2018 1:16 pm

When this headstock existed only as a drawing, I was worried that the lower hump was a little exaggerated. 

With the logo and string tree in place, I think it's perfect.

Neck #047 completed, 1.625" nut:

Image

Neck #048 completed, 1.5" nut:

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Neck #049 completed, 1.625" nut:

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Neck #051 completed, 1.5" nut:

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Tue Mar 19, 2019 8:20 pm

It's been a while, but we're back in the saddle.

The Ridler VI CNC program is ready for prime time, and that frame will end up having a life of its own.

Many thanks to Dan Rocha for all of his hard work and collaboration on this project.

I learned more about CAD/CAM/CNC than I ever imagined, and I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for the work that goes into making a design concept a reality.

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Wed Mar 20, 2019 5:04 pm

There are small details that need to be attended to that vary from one body design to the next, like where to locate the output jack and how to run the pickup wires.

You can see that the Ridler VI incorporates all of our signature design elements including the forearm facet, heel and belly contours, and recessed neck mounting ferrules.

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:09 pm

That looks great Brad!! Per the "VI" designation, is it a 6-string guitar or a Bass VI? It would be VERY cool as a Bass VI-type as well.
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:57 pm

Thanks!

This is a 6 string guitar, although a 32" scale Bass VI is still on the to do list.

I must admit that I have been reluctant to add flake to the finish portfolio.

Dan gets 100% credit for opening my eyes to this possibility, not to mention actually doing the work.

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Thu Mar 21, 2019 10:05 pm

Ridler shape + all the chrome + flake = :? :? :? VERY slick looking dude!!
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Fri Mar 22, 2019 5:32 am

Thanks!

I'm really excited to be getting back to the building process, and I'm planning to attend Summer NAMM.

There will be a flurry of activity between now and then.

Thanks again!
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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Tue Mar 26, 2019 3:21 pm

These are the moments that I build guitars for...seeing them being played live onstage.

Aaron Akers of Four Star Riot and Joe Sanders of Umbra Luna absolutely KILLING IT at Tarpon Fest last Saturday.

Photos by (L/R/clockwise) Stephen Jones, Heidi Jayne Sardell, and Eddy Luiso.

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by Con-Tiki! » Wed Mar 27, 2019 4:46 am

man, i love your stuff!
someday, I may be shopping for a bass.
(Christopher, also)
I've been to one World's Fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing i ever heard come out a pair of headphones.

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Thu Mar 28, 2019 6:13 pm

Thanks, I really appreciate it!

Here's another shot of Umbra Luna featuring Joe Sanders with his Chromasonic, Leo Binetti on bass, and Royse Bassham on drums at The Neptune Lounge during Tarpon Fest Music Festival (Photography by HJS).

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Re: Lowe Shop Notes

Post by BTL » Mon Apr 08, 2019 5:09 pm

I keep selling my personal players, so it's time for a new one.

I decided I like the scale and shape of the Hipshot USA Short Y Key for the 2+2 headstock.

What do you think...good choice?

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Here is the 32” scale conversion neck installed on my single pickup Chromasonic with an Inca Silver top and Walnut Toner back:

Image
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