Lowe Guitars shop notes

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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BTL
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Wed Sep 23, 2020 1:30 pm

Here are a couple of bass builds that are in the pipeline, the Jayluxe V-32 prototype and a Chromasonic V:

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:17 pm

Getting organized in the temporary space has been a challenge.

It seems like I spend most of my time just looking for where I packed things and getting ready to get ready.

I should have more build-related pics later this week, but for now, here are some updates from the paint shop:

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by CROSS_guitars » Sun Oct 04, 2020 4:49 pm

cool green burst!

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Mon Oct 05, 2020 2:25 pm

Thanks, that's getting a lot of love!

I alway get a kick out of seeing my instruments in their new homes.

Here's a shot of Leo Binetti's Ridler:

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Here's a shot of Claude Lucas' 32" scale conversion neck installed on a custom body:

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Last edited by BTL on Mon Oct 05, 2020 3:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Tue Oct 06, 2020 3:14 pm

The Comboluxe IV prototype is looking good thanks to the CAD/CNC work of my buddy Dan.

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Thu Oct 08, 2020 3:41 pm

So, I have been thinking about adding a six-string Bass VI to the 32" scale lineup for quite a while, and now that the five-string neck is in production, using that configuration as the platform makes a lot of sense. 

The plan is to build a 32" scale Bass VI-style instrument with a 1.75” nut and 14.5 mm spacing and it could be strung E to E, and perhaps even B to C. 

It will use the same neck as the Jayluxe V-32, so body options will include the Jayluxe V (Dinky J), Chromasonic V, or Comboluxe. 

I have been tinkering with the 2+2 headstock shape in MS Paint to see what a 3+2 and 3+3 might look like…I really like it!

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:11 am

Some better shots of the Ridler IV and Chromasonic VI:

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by Embenny » Sun Oct 11, 2020 8:48 am

That Ridler is gorgeous, and your Bass VI project really intrigues me. I spent a lot of time a year or two back trying to figure out how to get short scale 6-string bass for E-E tuning with less than 17mm spacing and a 2" nut, but there really weren't any options out there.
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Sun Oct 11, 2020 9:20 am

Absolutely...sometimes if you want to make something happen, starting from scratch is the only option.

However, with the Bass VI-32 platform, I can build on other pieces that are already in my portfolio.

Of course, I started from scratch with those, so...:D
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by Shadoweclipse13 » Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:55 pm

I love that Comboluxe 4!! And your 5- and 6-string heads too! You've always got some great stuff going on, Brad!!
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:19 am

Shadoweclipse13 wrote:
Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:55 pm
I love that Comboluxe 4!! And your 5- and 6-string heads too! You've always got some great stuff going on, Brad!!
Thanks, I really enjoy the process...it keeps me out of trouble!
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Tue Nov 03, 2020 5:38 am

A new client just posted this video and I thought I'd share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvWIOvmcWMs
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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by Rgand » Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:30 am

Cool video. That guitar sure looks good in use.

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:36 pm

Thanks!

The Ridler is my idea of an offset and it's what brought me to OSG in the first place.

:)

I've had time to work on builds again, so I drilled, tapped, center-bored, and chased a bunch of necks for threaded inserts. The center bore allows the machine screw to penetrate into the neck past the threaded insert.

Once the insert is locked in place with thin CA, I chase the insert and thread the CA-infused center bore with an 8-32 tap.

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Re: Lowe Guitars shop notes

Post by BTL » Sun Nov 29, 2020 6:21 pm

Buttoning down the final details of this Chromasonic VI...it's been a long time coming.

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