Hell Guitars

[MAXIFUNK]

Like really flat necks do you, Maxi?

I read over my comments thinking I may have an ill-constructed sentence somewhere but couldn't find it. But then I'm not sleeping much these days and confuse myself easily. But if you really want a 10" to 12" radius neck, I'll have the factory glue you a block and give it a light sand...

Check that. I just read over the original question. I'll cancel your order

SYO your a mean evil dude "The radii for all of the models are currently 14".

So a 10 to 12" radius would be nice @!$#@%#^%$#@^$^$^!

[syo***]

Ok. Another work in progress. Perhaps it is getting tiresome seeing more half finished pieces rather than final guitars but this is part of the process for me. I've been working on a bunch of new designs for the exisiting models and trying to get them to the factory as soon as possible for completion.

This one I rather like. Was playing with the idea of a 3D guitar (yes, I know that a guitar is already in 3D). It produces an interesting illusion. The goldish diamonds are from a special schlag metal leaf. Depending on the angle and lighting the can appear anywhere from gold to brass to silver-ish. There's also a very light pattern in the leaf. It is very tempermental stuff and tore in odd ways when removing the masking film so I sprayed with a light clear coat to keep the leaf stable and I'm fixing all the rough bits. Still needs a little more fixing and a nice glassy clear finish. Of course getting the shiny hardware and diamond marker neck on there should pull it together too. Please use a little imagination. Not sure if I should use nickel covers or open with black for a meaner look. Guess I'll try both and see.



Lots of other things going on that I'm anxious to share but I suppose I should wait until things get a little further along. Anyway I would, as always, appreciate any comments on this model. Good, bad or indifferent. Thanks...

[bcdon***]

Wow! That is so awesome! I'm not sure if it is just the flash, but it looks like there are reddish spots on some of the tiles. Also, if you scan your eyes from top-to-bottom the 3D really pops out like a M.C. Escher design. Very cool! BTW, that snake logo looks very cool and would be really wicked on the guitar (maybe as inlays on the fretboard).

Great work! Thanks a lot for sharing this with us.

[FrankenFretter***]

Cool. Reminds me of Alice in Wonderland, as that pattern usually does for some reason. I like it. Personally, I'd go with the open pickups, but that's just me.

[bcdon***]

It's been almost two fortnights since your last update, syo. So...

[tjcurtin1]

That finish/design is just FABULOUSLY COOL! Wow! I'd see how it looked with gold pup covers...

[syo***]

That finish/design is just FABULOUSLY COOL! Wow! I'd see how it looked with gold pup covers...

Thanks alot TJ. I am not usually inclined toward gold hardware but I've actually thought about it for this one. I'm really anxious to have this one built.

It's been almost two fortnights since your last update, syo. So...

Well you are indeed right about that Don. Unfortunately I got a bit behind as our usual business was insanely busy. At the same time, my wife injured her ankle which is now in a cast and I got a bad bug with a very high fever. For the first production run I need to be at the factory a couple of times during the process. So I figured rather than push it, it would be best to wait until I have the time I need to make sure that everything comes out as it should. I am now planning to go to the factory in early September. I'll go back to the factory and to the Music China Fair in Shanghai in Oct. where I might show some of our stuff in a friends' booth.

I have been busy though with other Hell details in the meantime. New designs, a new model (a rather different signature model), plus working on the website and coming up with some Hell branded gear.

Sorry for the silence. I should have more to report soon. Perhaps I'll come up with some kind of giveaway for the Fretters only.

[bcdon***]

Hi syo,

Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about your illness and your wife's ankle (tell her to take it easy on those snow boards!) Of course there is no hurry, it's always best to take one's time and do things right.. I was just nudging you a bit.

Good luck with the Music Fair, that must be a really exciting thing to plan for.

Cheers!

don

[syo***]

Sorry to hear about your illness and your wife's ankle (tell her to take it easy on those snow boards!)
don

Nothing so glamourous Don.
Slipped on her moderately high heels on the way back from our cheap local Chinese.

[FrankenFretter***]

Nothing so glamourous Don.
Slipped on her moderately high heels on the way back from our cheap local Chinese.

I have a friend who broke her ankle in a drunken slow motion tumble from a park bench. And yes, she was sitting at the time. How that could happen, I still don't understand.

[syo***]

I believe I told Sean quite some time ago that I was hoping to try out the Bare Knuckle Riff Raff humbuckers "this weekend". Well (many weekends later) I finally did. They're terrific. I highly recommend them if you have an SG style guitar. Probably great in a LP too. Amazingly versatile from bell-like clear to nice punchy growl. Fits the Bender like a glove. Although I did pull out my Mule equipped Bender and that is amazingly sweet too. A little warmer sound.

Just placed half of a sizable order with Bare Knuckle. Their products and service really cannot be beat in my opinion. If you're looking for an nice upgrade I do recommend them. Prices appear to have gone up however...

[FrankenFretter***]

I believe I told Sean quite some time ago that I was hoping to try out the Bare Knuckle Riff Raff humbuckers "this weekend". Well (many weekends later) I finally did. They're terrific. I highly recommend them if you have an SG style guitar. Probably great in a LP too. Amazingly versatile from bell-like clear to nice punchy growl. Fits the Bender like a glove. Although I did pull out my Mule equipped Bender and that is amazingly sweet too. A little warmer sound.

Just placed half of a sizable order with Bare Knuckle. Their products and service really cannot be beat in my opinion. If you're looking for an nice upgrade I do recommend them. Prices appear to have gone up however...

From what I've experienced so far with AlNiCo pickups, I think I prefer the IIs and IVs over the Vs. I'd probably dig the Mules, from what I've read. I've heard nothing but good things about these Bare Knuckle pickups. I think you made a good choice there, Syo.

How is production coming along? Will we see any available soon?

[syo***]

How is production coming along? Will we see any available soon?

Should be about two months (which is what I said 5 months ago ). Actually pretty firm this time. Many unforseen factors conspired to the delays. Mostly to do with our other business which has required more of my time than was anticipated. Also, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when I'm into something so I keep trying out new hardware, tweaking designs etc. until I start feeling good about going to market.

The happy result of this delay however, is that the yen has been getting quite strong over this time so everything is costing me a bit less. For now anyway. So a few weeks after the Shanghai Music China fair (next week) I will hang out at the factory and oversee the production at an early stage then back again later for assembly, set-up and shipping. I will go over every guitar to make sure everything is as it should be. Have to finish the website too. Lots to do!

[FrankenFretter***]

Should be about two months (which is what I said 5 months ago ). Actually pretty firm this time. Many unforseen factors conspired to the delays. Mostly to do with our other business which has required more of my time than was anticipated. Also, I'm a bit of a perfectionist when I'm into something so I keep trying out new hardware, tweaking designs etc. until I start feeling good about going to market.

The happy result of this delay however, is that the yen has been getting quite strong over this time so everything is costing me a bit less. For now anyway. So a few weeks after the Shanghai Music China fair (next week) I will hang out at the factory and oversee the production at an early stage then back again later for assembly, set-up and shipping. I will go over every guitar to make sure everything is as it should be. Have to finish the website too. Lots to do!

Good luck, Syo! I'm sure you'll let us know when the website is up. Maybe you can even test it on us Fretters! Have fun at the Shanghai Music fair!

[bcdon***]

Hey Syo!

I know you are at the Shanghai music fair but thought I'd ask you about your progress. When, oh when, can us fretters place an order? ;-)

[syo***]

Hey Syo!

I know you are at the Shanghai music fair but thought I'd ask you about your progress. When, oh when, can us fretters place an order? ;-)

Hey Don. I just finished meeting with suppliers. Worked out some better deals on hardware so the guitars will be improved without extra cost. Also having neck joint plates with the Hell logo done up for the bolt-on models. As I mentioned to Sean, it will be about two months til the guitars are finished. Unfortunately this is the busy manufacturing season so production is taking a little longer. Also, I am a pain in the... well...neck for the manufacturer I think as I require more attention than most of the other makers (or so I've been told)...

In all, sorry this has been dragging on but we're nearly there. Then I'll join otaypanky in the presently lonely looking "Manufacturers and Retailers" section.

[FrankenFretter***]

As long as you have some ready for tax return time, I'll be happy!

[Commodore 64***]

Yeah, how much should I be saving up?

[FrankenFretter***]

Yeah, how much should I be saving up?

What, you're not going to wait for one to come up on CL, C64?