Some time ago my younger brother mentioned that he would love to get himself a strandberg guitar. If you follow the metal scene in any way, you might be familiar with them, but if you don't it might be enough to say that today they are the most dominant fan fretted headless guitars in the market. (there are tons at this point)
Many years passed since that initial conversation. My brother got himself a Kiesel, and it became his main guitar. But, I believe in the back of his mind he truly wanted a Standberg. So, a few months ago, he asked me to make him one.
Of course there are some slight differences, I'm not trying to make a perfect copy, but it needed to embrace the essence of those guitars, and I think in that department I succeeded.
As per usual, I tried some new things, because why the hell not. The fret-board is made out of flame maple, but the neck itself is a very unique lamination. I'm using Cuero de Sapo (local hardwood) with Padauk, which is very much from a different continent altogether.
Laminations can be tricky, but at the same time they seem to be the most rigid. The wood somewhat fights each other and it keeps everything moving very little, which is precisely what you want on a guitar neck. The asymmetry of the neck is also something that I've never done before, and it was challenging to say the least to get it to look just right.
This is one of those features that Standberg has really pushed into the reluctant market of guitars. It's an industry that resists change, and making something that is not C shaped, or D shaped, might be seen by the purist as utter sacrilege.
The color combination is an attempt to integrate the red hardware. This, was not necessarily what I wanted to use, but it was what I was able to find in the Strandberg style. I think it's working pretty good, and I'm happy with the final results here.
I'm using a five way selector switch with a playful take on the Humbucker, Humbucker layout. In 1 and 5 you get what you expect, but the other three have combinations that make the guitar sound a little more single coilish, if that makes any sense to you.
The volume and tone knob, and the selector switch tip are made in shop from Padauk to tie it in to the rest of the build. My brother did not ask for this per say, but it seemed to me that just slapping some chrome hardware was too dull, too much of an easy way to finish it.
These are some high gain pickups too, so it truly is a guitar made for metal. Since my brother tends to destroy his fretboards, I also decided to make the frets stainless steel.
As you can see, I still have to make the lid for the back, for the electronics, but that's just a good hour of work and it can go live in it's new home.
That is a superb piece of craftsmanship. How long from start to finish? Seriously cool, fells.
Hope you're flourishing and thriving.
Best wishes to you :-)
it took about 3 months of work... they kind of all do.. there are things you just have to wait. I'm using nitro, which is old school and it takes along time to harden, but to me it looks the best.
Black and red are hard to beat for a distinctive color combo. It's an extraordinary achievement, and I'm sure your brother will be pleased.
Thanks!
That looks great. I love the look of the neck. I had a little play on a Strandberg at a show and it was a bit different. The best neck shape depends on how you play. There's a big difference between thumb being planted on the back and having it wrapped around the neck.
The neck is just too strange for most traditional players, but there is some logic/science to it... granted, if you wrap your hand around in a Hendrix Style, let's say, you might find it working against you.
I don't think I've played enough Strandbergs in my life to get used to the necks... but I could see it happening.
We can't expect one type of guitar to suit everyone and some styles benefit from more radical features. That's why we always need more guitars :)
Wow, that looks like my dream guitar! I have never played that kind of neck profile, I am intrigued by the sacrilege of it!
hahahaha It's blasphemous but in a good way!
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