New Decadent Guitar Project

[Brian Johnston]

Being developed by Casper Guitar Technologies. A slightly modified Vai Jem body with mirror face plate, solid silver pegs and knobs, vine of life inlay work, and much more! Some photos below to show some of the parts:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/fretboard.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/pickguard.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/leafpegs.jpg

And a silver pick to match, via Timber Tones (part of their Treasure Tones collection):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/TreasureTone.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

I'm very impressed with the appearance of the straps over at www.alligatorjakes.com (http://www.alligatorjakes.com/). Not sure of
the exact color or style yet, but this one seems close to what I'm looking
for:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/alligator-chocolate-guitar-.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

By the way, the amazing fretboard inlay is through www.luthiersupply.com (http://www.luthiersupply.com) . They have dozens of other styles and inlay options, and the prices are incredible considering the workmanship (all made by hand from seashells.

[Katastrophe]

Interested in seeing how this one turns out! I've always been a fan of the JEM...

[Brian Johnston]

I'll be outfitting this guitar with Sublime Pickups. Most have not heard of this company out of Hungary... custom made pickups www.sublimepickups.com

[Brian Johnston]

The headstock's inlay:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/HeadstockInlay.jpg

[Ch0jin]

I gotta say, these projects aren't to my specific tastes, but they are immensely impressive!

I'll be parking myself here with some popcorn to watch the progress of this one. If the Alien and Hendrix guitars are anything to go by, this should be quite the piece of art! I suspect you have the bespoke guitar bug biting REAL hard huh Brian :)

[Brian Johnston]

Final guitar... this one gives me tonal qualities and elements found between the original Casper guitar built for me (not the Alien one), and the Hendrix Tribute Strat.

[Katastrophe]

Final guitar... this one gives me tonal qualities and elements found between the original Casper guitar built for me (not the Alien one), and the Hendrix Tribute Strat.

Pics?

[Brian Johnston]

Pics are listed above. More will be added when available.

[Brian Johnston]

This is the knob design... solid silver with diamond (gypsy style) inlay:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/Knob1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Here is the body outline (wood is mahogany)... a basic Jem shape (monkey
grip to be added) with a slight curve/change in the tail/butt end.

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BodyShape.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Another body shot with the details sketched out:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BodyShape2.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

A color decision was made... just one solid color (a dark espresso or French
roast), metallic flake. However, under the pickguard (solid mirror-like with
laser cutouts of vines and leaves) will be a bronze metallic paint.

This decision was based on the pickguard covering much of the body, and so
adding a burst or a texture did not make sense. And there is much going on with
the pickguard, silver hardware, engraved pickup covers, etc. The luthier not
only agreed (also suggested it), but so too did the painter... an
award-winning custom car painting company... a paint finish not to be seen too
often on a guitar.

[Brian Johnston]

First pass of the body:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3FirstPass.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

I always liked the looks of the Firewheel straplocks. Because the body will
be a very dark espresso, I went with the black straplocks so that they blend
into the body a bit:


http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/StrapLocks.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

A bit of extra 'curve' work around the butt end, with the pickguard setting in place (it's a mirror pickguard, but has a protective covering over it for the time being):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3step1withguard.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

All the routing finished:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3Rough2.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The neck blank with angled headstock clamped:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3NeckBlank1.jpg

[Monkus]

nice seeing this come together.

[Brian Johnston]

The pickup choices will be through the custom hand-made Hungarian company SublimePickups.com . The neck position will be Deep Ocean Blue; the bridge position will be Distant Land; the middle pickup will be a MiniMonster usually preserved for the bridge position in a single coil, but with it's mid position it will provide a true single tone when combined with the other pickups, rich in mids and thick. Here is a write-up of the pickups:

DISTANT LAND: Strange structure, neodymium-driven, almost-humbucker sized, noiseless pickup. The name tells all: It does not sound like a single coil, neither humbucker. Though, sweet tonal balance, and blasting, wide-range punch is awaiting for the brave who dare to play with the Distant Land. Might be an alternative for a P90, as can be fit into a dogear or a soapbar P90 cover. Play it nice, it will ring and sing...but hit it hard: the answer will not be so polite.

DEEP OCEAN BLUE: Bright and vivid hi-fi sound with soft, full lows and bell like highs. From clean sounds through biting crunch to the high-gain solos, it can do all.

MINI-MONSTER: This singlebucker family is born to raise hell, give 'em sweet distortion and they will do your every bidding. Of course they can be tamed to produce some nice cleans, especially the Minimonster Jazz at the neck, it has a soft, rounded sound with a modest bell-like ring to it. If you take a Stratocaster with three single-coils, put a Minimonster Bloody at the bridge to have a wild hugemidrange scream punch, big output and some nice singing lead sounds at your disposal. If you don't need that much power you can't go wrong with the Minimonster Crunch, it has enough in it to get that sweet legendary rock tones, it's also a perfect choice for the middle position. Thanks to their unique magnetic structure and the high-tech materials used, the Minimonsters have an unmistakable, very characteristic sound. They are really responsive to different playing styles.

[Brian Johnston]

Project still under way... some pictures to come.

The paintjob will be done by www.ripcc.com (http://www.ripcc.com/), a custom auto paint company that has been featured several times in LowRider magazine. The finish will not by typical of guitars.

The truss rod cover and back trem cover will be metal and custom engraved by
www.eddyshandengraving.com (http://www.eddyshandengraving.com/)

[Brian Johnston]

The pickups have been potted and the humbucker covers were recently received
from the engravers. www.SublimePickups.com (http://www.sublimepickups.com/)

[Brian Johnston]

My strap is on the way, from AlligatorJakes.com .... hornback alligator in dark sport rust:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/Strap3.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

I just received my solid silver Treasure Tone pick:

http://www.timber-tones-shop.com/solid-silver-plectrum-234-p.asp
(http://www.timber-tones-shop.com/solid-silver-plectrum-234-p.asp)
OK, I know this is a costly plectrum (although it would last years longer than bags of plastic or nylon picks), but the tone and dynamics that jump out with this pick is incredible! Everything sounds more defined and in your face as it cuts through the mix better than with other picks I have tried, ranging from acrylic to various woods, to plastic, etc.

The weight of the pick also seems to help you maintain control over the strings, and it makes it easier to adjust from soft to loud playing. I had favorite plectrums in the past, but this one beats them all!

[Brian Johnston]

I think it's on the first page of this thread... a photo of the solid silver
'leaf' peg heads I'm having made for the guitar (via Argentariis.com). The
metalsmith sent me a photo of a wax model they use as a mold for casting.

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/LeafMaster.jpg

[marnold]

I assume this guitar will never leave your home since it costs a fortune. My Squier '51 cost less than that pick!

[Brian Johnston]

I have a little home studio... I don't play in clubs or anything. Private collection.

[Brian Johnston]

These are the custom pickups (sans middle pickup for now); engraved chrome
with a skull at the neck and my initials (BDJ) at the bridge:



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/pickups2.jpg



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/pickups1.jpg



Coming from Hungary... www.SublimePickups.com (http://www.sublimepickups.com/) ; this guy does
incredible custom work, including 8-string guitar pickups.

[Brian Johnston]

UPDATE: Strap arrived!

Although photos of the strap were sent to me prior to shipping, I was not prepared for what I saw and felt as it came out of the box. The quality of craftsmanship, the three-dimensional texture, and the depth of color impressed me as much as any quality guitar (custom or stock) that I have seen – yes, I’m comparing the eye-popping appearance of this strap to that of a guitar! As well, I’ve purchased quality stock guitar straps, and had a few made, but Alligator Jakes have taken the meaning of ‘custom guitar strap’ to a completely different level. What I did not expect was the dual-layer of hide for added rigidity and toughness, nor the soft faux-fur padding along the inside to increase comfort while playing even the heaviest of guitars.

ADDENDUM: I was informed that the plush padding is, in fact, New Zealand lamb wool.

[Brian Johnston]

Onto the fretboard layout and orientation for the vine of life inlay (via www.luthiersupply.com (http://www.luthiersupply.com)). Will also have stainless steel frets.

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3Inlay1.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3Inlay2.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Update on the fretboard inlay:

"After 2 hours, I have 1/2 of the inlay positioned. (over 100 individual pieces). Next is to place the last pieces and adjust the position of everything one at a time to get the centering and spacing correct. Then tack with a drop of glue, score the outline into the fingerboard. Then on to the routing. I’ll check in with a photo in the next day or two."

[Brian Johnston]

Stephen Casper in the midst of laying out the fretboard on ebony. Next steps
include scoring the wood, routing, then gluing.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3Inlay3.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

With this being a Vai concept guitar (taken to the extremes in ornamentation), here is the knob concept (for volume and tone), with Vai's symbol engraved.

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/knob_sketch_2.jpg

This is being done by www.Argentariis.com (http://www.Argentariis.com) (silversmiths and guitar players!).

[Brian Johnston]

Another update: The knobs will not have a flat top, but more of a leaf
formation (to match the peg heads), and the inside edge will have a vine scroll
to compliment the fretboard inlay.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/Vai_Knob_2.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Finalized...



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/KnobsandPegsfinal.jpg

[Jipes]

It will surely be a real piece of Art and Heart, looks gorgeous I hope you'll send a picture to Steve Vai to see his reaction :thumbsup

[Brian Johnston]

Fretboard inlay done... stainless steel frets to follow:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJ3InlayComplete.jpg

Not sure how to get ahold of Vai, since emails to his website go unanswered.

[Brian Johnston]

Pictures of Stephen Casper working on the inlay... and clamping the
inlay:



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/RoutingInlay.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEMGlueUp.jpg

[Katastrophe]

Wow! That is gonna be one beautiful guitar when it's done. I dig the level of craftsmanship, but would probably pass out over what this costs to build.

[Brian Johnston]

Routing and setting in of the truss rod:



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEM1TrussRod1.jpg



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEMTrussRod2.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The pickups (via SublimePickups.com) arrived from Hungary in only 3 days (to
Florida). They were attached to the pick guard and a photo sent to me. The
pick guard is a mirror... colorless... but it reflected something 'tan' in his
workshop.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJJEMPickupsandguard1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The luthier had to custom make the truss rod cover from a sheet of steel, to
be chromed and polished before shipping to the engraver. A few more photos and
details are here:

http://caspersguitarshop.wordpress.com/2012/09/19/sometimes-ya-just-gota-improvise/


http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/truss%20rod%20cover%20ready%20for%20engraving_zps8 45962d0.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

A shot of the body... metallic paint... dark copper (appears lighter in the
picture):



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEM3Bodypainted1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

And a shot of the body with the pick guard and neck.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/GuitarinFull.jpg

[Jipes]

It's gonna be gorgeous :thumbsup

[Brian Johnston]

Thanks! There's still the headstock, the leaf tuner pegs, the leaf knobs, the truss rod cover (that's where I'm putting the Vai logo), and the trem plate cover (all hand engraved). The luthier told me that the picture is not picking up the true quality of this paint job... a metallic glow under the clear finish. Speaking of which, the middle pickup has the word Sublime on it (SublimePickups.com), and the word glows in the dark. As well, after 25 years of building guitars, my luthier was amazed at the weight and quality of construction of the pickups... and these hand made pickups cost the same as stock pickups from any other company. The luthier plans on contacting Sublime for future projects.

[Brian Johnston]

A shot of the leaf peg attached to the gears... along with a short video of
the product:



http://www.deepcutmetalart.com/clients/Leaf_peg.MOV



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/leaf_peg_headontuner.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Below is the style of trem arm I want on this guitar. Such an arm does not
exist for the Schaller bridge being installed... and so the luthier is building
one from stratch.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/tremarm_zps2fa2a8dc.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The fretboard with stainless steel frets (undressed) in.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/neckfrets_zpsce9a3621.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

My luthier did a short blog update:

http://caspersguitarshop.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/new-custom-jem-tribute-project-progress/

[Brian Johnston]

Below is the neck a little more dressed and peg holes drilled. The truss rod
cover is shown with the Vai logo and a single pass of the engraving chisle (yet
to be fine-edged and chromed). Details on what has taken place found on the
luthier's blog:



http://wp.me/p2IaxD-1l



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEMNeck1a_zps142ccc52.jpg

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/TrussPlate1_zpsfe0338ff.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

A picture of one of the guitar knobs lying on its side; hand engraved
(diamond to be set where you see the hole); character line work and shading,
followed by black oxidizing in the lines to follow. Argentariis does some
pretty incredible work!



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/knob_engraving_b_zpsb3279df0.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Hoping to have my baby in the next 2-3 weeks... here is the finished knob
(there are two of them); hand engraved and detailed!



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/KnobsampTuners.jpg

[Algonquin]

Really impressed with the level of detail Brian, and thoroughly enjoyed reading your entire thread as your project has come together!

Great job!
Cheers,
David

[Ch0jin]

This is incredible! Are you planning on playing this one? I'd be tempted to keep it in a secure display case :)

[Spudman]

Wow! That's quite a beautiful project.

[Brian Johnston]

Will be played until the stainless steel frets wear off, lol. I don't do live gigs or anything... a small home studio is where my guitars stay.

[syo]

Quite stunning, really.
That is a very special guitar. You should be proud!

[Robert]

You need to go on a Fret Tour with that guitar, and visit us all and let us play it! :)

Looks simply stunning.

[marnold]

You need to go on a Fret Tour with that guitar, and visit us all and let us play it! :)

I'd be too afraid to touch it!

[Brian Johnston]

Thanks for the comments... what is a Fret Tour... link?

The electronics are being hooked up... the engraved truss rod and trem plate
covers are being delivered this week; Argentariis is finishing off the second
knob engraving this week; and below is the signed peghead in black lacquer.



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/PegHead.jpg

[Robert]

Fret Tour - I should have said Fret Member Tour. I meant visiting us Fret members and show it off! :)

[Brian Johnston]

With you now living in Alberta, I bet it would cost less to visit you in Sweden, lol.

I had www.ScottOuderkirk.com (http://www.ScottOuderkirk.com) create a custom case for the JEM (you send him any case and he does the priming, sketch, and sealing). He did a Hendrix case for me when I had a Hendrix Tribute guitar done. Below you will see some sketched out ideas, along with the final image:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/vaisketchone.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/vaisketchtwo.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/Vaifinal.jpg

[Jipes]

Great drawing it would make a wonderful guitar case !

[Brian Johnston]

No one has questioned the bees yet. I didn't know this, but Vai does beekeeping on his off time, as a hobby.

[Brian Johnston]

Here are more case designs by Scott, featuring Cash, Atkins and Nelson:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/vcases.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The assembly begins:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEM3Build1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

I have an idea for a Black Strat (David Gilmour) concept guitar and may get Argentariis to develop little pig tuner keys. The leaf knobs and tuner pegs are shipping this Wednesday:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/KnobsandTunersfinal.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The neck is set, Locking nut installed - ready to solder in the pickguard and install the bridge spring's and claw.
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/PegheadwithLockingNutinstalled1.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/NeckSet1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Report so far from the luthier:
"Plays like my guitars." This is to be expected and I can't wait, since this is all I play. "Tone is bright but full; very articulate; easy to control feedback." This is exactly what Sublime Pickups set out to do (and this is a mahogany body, which many claim will produce 'dark' tones). "I have fret leveling to do on a few frets; normal setup stuff, another few days and it's playing like I meant it to." Engraved plates on truss rodd and trem yet to be installed.
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEM3Build2.jpg
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/BDJEM3Build4.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Here is the link to the "Ghost Ground" technique that Stephen Casper did on the JEM guitar:
http://wp.me/p2IaxD-2I

[Jipes]

Waouh !!! What a beauty, this gonna be a very special guitar indeed

[Brian Johnston]

The mostly-finished product; I'll post higher quality images once I received
the guitar and attached the silver peg heads and knobs:



http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/MostlyFinished.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

The JEM Sublime is shipping in about a week or so... Casper Guitar Technologies is on the finishes touches. The Sublime Pickups are of an interesting construction. Turned up full, they have very similar tones with great 'punch,' but as you roll off the volume each have unique characteristics. The neck pickup should be incredible for some soaring leads... it was constructed so that there are bell-like overtones that ring out, making for a quality that is not typically in most pickups. Stephen Casper confirmed this as he did a trial run yesterday. Hoping for a bit of a YouTube in the next few days from the luthier.

[Brian Johnston]

ill a bit of setting up to do (and I have to attach the silver hardware once I receive the guitar)... here is a video of the luthier testing things out (notice the blonde JEM off to the side... a project for himself).
http://youtu.be/GUnJIFOpfOU

[Jipes]

ill a bit of setting up to do (and I have to attach the silver hardware once I receive the guitar)... here is a video of the luthier testing things out (notice the blonde JEM off to the side... a project for himself).
http://youtu.be/GUnJIFOpfOU
Seems to sound very nice with quite a compressed sound and a nice punch dynamic !

[kidsmoke]

I have to be honest. Watching this come together, I was thoroughly impressed with your dedication, creativity, and your ability to source and work with the different artisans involved to coordinate it all (SYO can probably attest, THAT's a major accomplishment). But I was seeing something, in total, that was going to be garish and way too over the top to be appealing as anything other than a curiosity.

I was wrong.

That came together well and it's a pretty bada$$ guitar. Still a lot of bling for my taste, but it works well, to my surprise. Congratulations. Looking forward to photos of the completed project that do it justice. And thanks for bringing us along on the journey.

[Brian Johnston]

Final setting up before shipping... awaiting some photos of the headstock and back trem plate:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151335364512959&set=a.408841877958.206573.49578812958&type=1&theater

[Brian Johnston]

Silver hardware shipping today. Update from the luthier:

"Well, it's that time. This thing in amazing. It plays so well it's crazy. Definitely one of my top builds for sure. Over the last several days, I've done some photographing the guitar for my website, adjusting action, pickup height, polishing spots, adjusting the neck, touching up frets general setup stuff and final adjustments. Tonight, I'll be adding the RFID chip as well as the truss rod and trem plates."

[mrmudcat]

BRAVO:applause

[Brian Johnston]

A blog update from my luthier (with photos and some specs). Should be shipping any day:
http://caspersguitarshop.wordpress.com/2012/11/22/custom-jem-sublime-tribute-guitar/

[Brian Johnston]

The knobs are to be replaced (standard ones right now)... a custom whammy bar to be inserted... and the selector switch will be chrome (not white).
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/Pickguardwithmylar.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Glow in the dark Sublime logo on middle pickup:
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/SublimeGlow.jpg

[Ch0jin]

Just when I think you've thought of everything, there's something else!

[Brian Johnston]

That's a little 'trademark' touch by Sublime Pickups. You wouldn't believe some of the cool and strange pickups he has created... some really off-the-wall stuff!

[Brian Johnston]

A picture of the back plate... hand engraved and chromed (the jack plate also will be chromed).
http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff443/logicbdj/backplate1.jpg

[Brian Johnston]

Guitar received today. I must say that pictures don't do it justice, and particularly the quality of the metal flake paint. The feel of the fingerboard is the best I have experienced... perhaps that has to do with the ebony, but Steve Casper also makes the best necks I have played. Over the next few weeks I plan on recording some music and writing a detailed review, with photos.