Merkley One-Piece Quilt!

[Schroeder]

Ryan and Dave just approved this one-piece quilt. Interestingly, it will be the twin of Turlough's one-piece quilt!! Note the "figure-print" as they are remarkably similar. They are by my best account bookmatched pieces from the same tree.

http://schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley_1piece.jpg

[goof1073]

Very nice...

...I almost thought that I was going to see the one-piece quilt top that I passed on in one of the 1-piece threads. ;)

[guitarnyc]

nice stuff...that is a wild one piece quilt !
________
Kitchen Measures (http://kitchenmeasures.com/)

[t_hamill]

It'll be great to watch the 'twins' progress through construction. Can't wait to hear more about your spec and ideas.

[Schroeder]

Here we go!!! Merkley Sandwich!!

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley%20sandwich.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley%20bodyblank2.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley%20bodyroute.jpg

Quilted back from the same piece as the top...
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley%20bodyback.jpg

[Quinny]

Awesome quilts!!! Nice sandwich! :D

[goof1073]

<homer voice> Mmmmmm...yummy maple sandwich!! <homer voice>

[sxracer193]

Now that I see it can we change all of the specs again????? Nah, just kidding. Looks great. Love the quilt. Progress pics have a way of pumping a person up. Thanks again.

[Shadscbr]

Sweet!, having the same quilt on the top and back is awesome!! Congrats :)

Shad

[guitarnyc]

nice...looks like a reverse Oreo !
________
Lovely Wendie (http://www.lovelywendie99.com/)

[vangit]

Very cool. You don't see many one-piece quilts. Sweeeet.

[sxracer193]

I wanted to bring this thread to the front of the Que in case there are some update pictures about to drop in it this week;)

[goof1073]

I wanted to bring this thread to the front of the Que in case there are some update pictures about to drop in it this week;) LOL...that's a subtle hint! ;)

[Schroeder]

I need to fire up the camera. I had some time to take a couple pics of the guitars in final assembly. I will get it out in the woodshop in the next couple days for updates.

Thanks for your patience guys. I need three of me... :D

[sxracer193]

Lets say there are three of you. Does that mean I have to order 4 more guitars so all of you are way to busy? Ok, but only if you insist.:D

[Schroeder]

Lets say there are three of you. Does that mean I have to order 4 more guitars so all of you are way to busy? Ok, but only if you insist.:D

You know you really do need a flattop model, a triple neck, and a bass!!!! :D

[Schroeder]

Well, here is the ugly side of guitar building!!! Gets pretty rough when carving. Here it is rough carved and ready for a LOT of sanding!!!
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1%20carve.jpg

[sxracer193]

can't wait to see the back carve. Looks great thus far.

[vangit]

Looks great thus far.

Yes it does! I was talking to J today about how killer this one and Chris's is looking.

[sxracer193]

There is a Big Brother to this thing a little further back in the que that should be awsome as well. Slightly bigger chopper body with bookmatched tube quilt on the front and back. The kicker is it will be a double "S" hole semi hollow with an elaborate neck inlay in the works. They will both be blood red with Braz necks and ebony fingerboards. As you all know, Jason is the man so I am sure they will both far exceed any expectations I have

Dave

[vangit]

There is a Big Brother to this thing a little further back in the que that should be awsome as well. Slightly bigger chopper body with bookmatched tube quilt on the front and back. The kicker is it will be a double "S" hole semi hollow with an elaborate neck inlay in the works. They will both be blood red with Braz necks and ebony fingerboards. As you all know, Jason is the man so I am sure they will both far exceed any expectations I have

Dave

Holy crap that sounds killer. Jason must be drooling to build it.

[Schroeder]

Here is the top smoothed out a bit. I still have some refining to do in the cutaway and on the upper bout. Beautiful piece of quilt though.

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1%20carve%20smooth.jpg

[sxracer193]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!:)

[Schroeder]

Here are some pics of the final stages of the carve...

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00985.JPG
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00989.JPG
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00991.JPG
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00992.JPG

[Schroeder]

Mitchell is officially back!! Still wired shut but working his butt off. Here he is thinning the back of the headstock with the Safet-T-Planer.
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00986.JPG

Here is the beautiful dark Braz neck!! Note the swirls from the Safe-T-Planer. That is used to get the thickness of the neck to spec. Can't wait to get this thing carved. The neck is fitted, neck angle is set and we will next glue the back veneer on the headstock and then carve the neck.
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00998.JPG

Here is the main feature of the guitar however!! The inlays!! More about these in a later post...
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00993.JPG
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/DSC00996.JPG

[goof1073]

Man...that's lookin' killer!!!

[sxracer193]

I think I like it :D Great work. I know a lot of people worked on this to get it this far. Thanks a million.

Dave

PS. Glad to see Mitchell feels up to being back at work. Nothing worse than "having" to be off. Heres to continued improvement for Mitchell

[AK_NorPine]

Hmmm, a thin little piece of maple on the backside.......
It's got me thinking about doing that on my guitar. Like, why not with such a beautiful piece of wood? Nobody looks at the back? Or do they? It kind of excited me!

Any effect on the tone of the guitar? Would it be a tad brighter?

[bazguitarman]

The guitar just looks better and better. I love the pics of the cutaway carve process.

Eric

[Schroeder]

Here are some snapshots of the middle pickup and trem routing:

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_midpup.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_tremroute_layout.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_tremroute.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_tremroute_back.jpg

So we still need to install the quilted plate at the bottom of the back trem spring cavity. This was a great idea Dave had!! Should look really trick. Also have to trim the neck pocket on the treble side and do a roundover on the spring cavity.

[t_hamill]

Looks superb! love the quilt and the trem catity idea is excellent!

[Schroeder]

The quilted trem plate is fitted and gluing... Pics to come after we get it unclamped.

[Schroeder]

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley_springcavity.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_springcavity2.jpg

[sxracer193]

That looks even better than I thought it would. Thanks for your constant 110% effort.

Dave

[Shadscbr]

Wow, that was a great idea, it looks fantastic! :)

Shad

[JohnnyBoy]

Looks incredible! The figuring match is awesome, it you focus your eyes on the entire body you can see the figuring flowing right across that cavity almost like it's not there. Sweet job!

John

[AK_NorPine]

That guitar seems acceptable. As I wipe the drool off my pant leg. Great wood, great execution. Oh and that fretboard, its ok....(INcredible, that is, original but not over indulgent like some). Keep up the good work!

[guitarnyc]

that plate looks great...good idea ! :D
________
Extreme Vaporizer Review (http://extremevaporizer.net/)

[Schroeder]

And here it is the woodwork all complete! Except for the trem screw holes. Neck carve is done (based on a Gibson ES-335 Larry Carlton).

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_woodcomplete.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_woodcomplete_back.jpg

[goof1073]

Nice...H-S-H, can't go wrong there right J? ;)

Lookin' great guys! What is the finish going to be on this one?

[vangit]

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_woodcomplete.jpg



Wow, what a great look. The middle pick-up changes the whole look of the Chopper IMO. Guess because I'm so used to seeing that model with hum-hum. Also, is this the first Trem Chopper? I really like it!

[Schroeder]

Nice...H-S-H, can't go wrong there right J? ;)

Lookin' great guys! What is the finish going to be on this one?

LOL! Ya! Great combo with so much tonal potential. The finish is going to be dark, badass, black/red! This will be a very rich looking guitar.

[bsic]

Great looking design- great choices on specs... i like the veneer on the back of the headstock.

[Schroeder]

Wow, what a great look. The middle pick-up changes the whole look of the Chopper IMO. Guess because I'm so used to seeing that model with hum-hum. Also, is this the first Trem Chopper? I really like it!

Ya, Dave and Ryan really did a great job on the specs of this guitar. It has been a very thoughtful build. It has been a lot of fun working with them and getting all the details worked out. It is the first H-S-H Chopper, and the first trem Chopper, and the first Braz necked Chopper since the original Chopper-themed guitar I built years ago. Paul and Niall each have Indian RW necks on their choppers.

I suppose I should tell the inlay story! I said I would and then never did. The inlays on this guitar are the result of a successful collaboration between the Merkleys, Athena Kekenes, and Schroeder Guitars. Athena and I have been working together for the lastcouple years on various design projects and she has recently started her own inlay business. She is an enormously talented graphic artist which gives her a huge advantage with inlays. The Merkleys sent us the design of the symbols initially. Athena refined them a bit, created a digital mockup of the fingerboard and cut the inlays (except for the S at the 12th). Athena sent the pieces to us and Elizabeth inlaid the symbols into the fingerboard. These were all cut BY HAND and inlaid BY HAND. This is truly craftswomen at work.

I cannot say enough about Athena and Elizabeth's work. They both did an amazing job on the inlay and I don't think there are too many folks cutting and inlaying by hand that could do a better job. Great job.

[sxracer193]

The inlay process was really cool. The computer mockup was very realistic. Jason, can you post the mockup for comparison? It is incredible how each person did such a fantastic job to get it from that point to now with virtually no change. Thanks Athena and Elizabeth for an outstanding job.

Dave

[Schroeder]

Here is the initial design idea from Dave and Ryan...

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/guitar%20inlays.JPG


The mockup from Athena...
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/AkSymbolsMock3.jpg

And the actual fingerboard...

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley%20inlays%20small.jpg

[t_hamill]

Wow, I love the 5th, 7th and 9th fret inlays (not that the others dont look good too). A lot of work I'm sure but the result is stunning!

[vangit]

WOW, super cool guys. Hey Dave, can you share the meaning behind the symbols? I believe the symbol at the 5th is an Egypician symbol for life?

[goof1073]

Ath's work really is something else!! She has been VERY helpfull turning my inlay concept into a solid design...

[sxracer193]

WOW, super cool guys. Hey Dave, can you share the meaning behind the symbols? I believe the symbol at the 5th is an Egypician symbol for life?

Correct on the symbol at the 5th. Ryan picked these out and a couple of the meanings may be loose but close.

3rd - Questioning
5th - Life
7th - Magic
9th - Chaos
12th - Cool -(My Definition)
15th - Seeing Eyes
17th - Good Fortune
19th - Woman
21st - Masculinity

As Jason has said, the Guitar will be Black and Red. Meant to look smokey and Badass.

Dave

[Shadscbr]

Those inlays look tight! Just like a good Maryland crabcake...no filler :D

I can't wait to see some inlay close-ups :)

Congrats to all involved...what a cool project!
Shad

[buickrob]

Those inlays are killer

[lookslikemeband]

VERY COOL!

I love the originality!!!

[Athena]

Hey, I can post!. It told me to wait for authorization. Sorry guys.

The inlay process was really cool. The computer mockup was very realistic. Jason, can you post the mockup for comparison? It is incredible how each person did such a fantastic job to get it from that point to now with virtually no change. Thanks Athena and Elizabeth for an outstanding job.

Dave
You're welcome, Dave. I'm glad you liked it. I sometimes feel like I'm going out on a limb with the mockups because it's so hard to capture shell in pixels and each piece of shell can look very different. So you have to take them with a grain of salt. However, it can be hard to visualize what the finished inlay might look like, so it's usually worth it to mock it up. I like people to feel comfortable with the design and material choices.

I'm thrilled to have Jason and Elizabeth to install my inlays on such beautiful guitars!

Cheers,
...Athena

[Athena]

Ath's work really is something else!! She has been VERY helpfull turning my inlay concept into a solid design...
Thanks! I enjoy it a lot. The design is the most important part of the process. Nailing down what the customer wants and creating a clean, sawable pattern are the foundation upon which the whole process is based. It's always worth it to take the extra time up front to get it right. The rest is a time-consuming and elaborate version of pressing the print button. ;->

...Ath

[sxracer193]

Deep Gloss Nitro, this top and this color = Completely Satisfied. :D What do you think? Thanks for all the hard work Jason and Crew.

Dave

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/merkley1_blackred.jpg

[bazguitarman]

That looks fantastic. The inlays are tight and that one piece top is sweet. I even love the color choice. That's going to be a beautiful guitar.

Eric

[Athena]

Deep Gloss Nitro, this top and this color = Completely Satisfied. :D What do you think? Thanks for all the hard work Jason and Crew.


I think it looks absolutely delicious!

...Ath

[Shadscbr]

I love the color! :)

Shad

[vangit]

Looks very cool Dave!!

[sxracer193]

Thanks guys. This is just the start as only the front is done. Jason is going to shade coat the sides translucent black. Should darken the guitar up more but still show the woodgrain. Going for a very black guitar with red highlights. Jason had to endure my bad description of what Ryan and I wanted and it ended up taking him a couple of iterations. Jason sure goes that extra mile. :D Sorry for being the one to ask you to walk the same mile so many times last week. Can't wait to see the pics when it is all stained.

Dave

[lookslikemeband]

HIDEOUS!!!!!






































Just kidding! :D

Sweet looking top!

[Schroeder]

This is a slightly more dramatic color tweak. Dave, let me know when you see your e-mail. Thanks!

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_backstain.jpg

[sxracer193]

Oh Yeah!!! Definately like that!! Is it Black or is it Red? Doesn't matter because we like it.:D :cool:

Dave and Ryan

[Athena]

Oh Yeah!!! Definately like that!! Is it Black or is it Red? Doesn't matter because we like it.:D :cool:

Dave and Ryan

"Midnight Blood"?
"R Negative"?

...Ath

[sxracer193]

"Midnight Blood"?
"R Negative"?

...Ath

The guitar was always meant to be dark with a blood look. :D I think the inlays are going to "pop" on this thing when it is done. Did you get your site put back together? Hope so.

Dave

[Athena]

The guitar was always meant to be dark with a blood look. :D I think the inlays are going to "pop" on this thing when it is done. Did you get your site put back together? Hope so.

Dave

I can't wait to see it all finished! I moved some of my stuff to another sub-account, but Comcast is still having redirection problems I can't do anything about, unfortunately. Sometimes blocking cookies from them helps, sometimes it doesn't. :-(

...Ath

[guitarnyc]

I'm not usually a fan of red but I love that deep, dark red...looks very very sexy...looking forward to seeing the inlays Athena !
________
OXYGEN VAPORIZER (http://oxygenvaporizer.com)

[Schroeder]

Here is the wicked black translucent stain on the sides and binding!

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_sidestain.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_sidestain3.jpg

[Schroeder]

Here is the latest from Elizabeth: She wanted to do something that would honor Athena's amazing symbol inlays. Dave and Ryan really wanted something dark on the headstock inlay so this is what Elizabeth came up with. The outline is aluminum, the wings are black onyx, the red ring is quilted maple, and the center dot is very colorful paua shell. This pic shows the heastock with no finish so it will match the body when hit with finish.


http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_headinlay.jpg

[guitarnyc]

Love the way this guitar is turing out ! Can't wait to see the final product :)
________
VanilaSky (http://www.girlcamfriend.com/cam/VanilaSky/)

[Shadscbr]

Love the way this guitar is turing out ! Can't wait to see the final product :)

+1 :)

I love the headstock inlay, it's subtle yet defined...great stuff :)

Shad

[sxracer193]

Thanks guys and thanks Elizabeth for the added touch. It definately hit the mark.

[vangit]

Beautiful work E-Beth.

[Athena]

Here is the latest from Elizabeth: She wanted to do something that would honor Athena's amazing symbol inlays. Dave and Ryan really wanted something dark on the headstock inlay so this is what Elizabeth came up with. The outline is aluminum, the wings are black onyx, the red ring is quilted maple, and the center dot is very colorful paua shell. This pic shows the heastock with no finish so it will match the body when hit with finish.


Wow she did a fantastic job! I love it!

...Ath

[Elizabeth]

Thanks guys! I had a picture in my head of what I wanted to do, and I wasn't sure how it would turn out. I am pretty happy with the final product. Glad you like it!

[buickrob]

I love the outline around the headstock logo. That outline exactly what I was talking about for my headstock logo, just wonder if it will still be too dark...Onyx on Rosewood. Beautiful on this guitar!!!!

[Schroeder]

Here are a fewpics of the finish progress. Getting shiny!! A lot of glare on the outside photos! orry Dave and Ryan. Looks deep and rich in person....

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_finish_front1.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_finish.jpg


Here is the headstock just after the feaux binding was shaded black to match the body binding. Subtle but a very cool look that Ryan and Dave were after.

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_finish_headstock.jpg

[sxracer193]

Looks Great:D

[Schroeder]

Wetsanded and ready for buffing.

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley1_wetsanded.jpg

[Schroeder]

Here is a quick buffing photo.... New buffer is working GREAT!

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley_buff.jpg

[sxracer193]

you can really see the figuring in the top as the shine comes out. Can't wait to see the whole thing. Thanks Jason.:D

[guitarnyc]

how long does it take to get the dull area (like the upper horn) to a nice glossy shine ?
________
Buy extreme q vaporizer (http://vaporizer.org)

[Schroeder]

how long does it take to get the dull area (like the upper horn) to a nice glossy shine ?

It looks shiny within seconds. But it still has tons of tiny scratches from the wetsanding that takes about 10 minutes or so for each 1/4 of the top. Takes an hour and a half or so to completely buff a body.

By the way, check out the John Deere in the background! Pretty impressive tractor eh? ;) I didn't realize that Elizabeth caught that in the pic.

[sxracer193]

how do you polish in the trem cavity? Man, I love how shiny that is turning out.

[Schroeder]

how do you polish in the trem cavity? Man, I love how shiny that is turning out.

The trem cavity is totally inaccesible with a buffing wheel. So I have not buffed it yet!

[paintguy]

That looks great!

[sxracer193]

Getting closer. Looks like it is ready for Joey to start polishing the Trem cavity. lol

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/merkley1_assembly4-1.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/merkley1_assembly.jpg

[vangit]

Damn I love the Chopper design. Looks great guys!

[goof1073]

Oooooooo...shinny!!!! :rolleyes:


Lookin' good!!!!

[r9player]

sweet how you did the cavity as well with the maple and the finish! that probably was pretty tough.

[WinstaBull]

My jaw has hit the floor. Fantastic.

[sxracer193]

A couple of pics to share. Getting closer. Incredible Braz neck. Enjoy


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/1-1.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/1-3.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/1-4.jpg

[Athena]

A couple of pics to share. Getting closer. Incredible Braz neck. Enjoy


http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/1-1.jpg


DAMN that's one fine looking guitar! I'm very proud to have my little inlays on such a beautiful instrument.

...Ath

[Schroeder]

Here is the one piece quilt Chopper in the assembly queue with the neck glued and ready for assembly... RobF's guitar is immediately to the right and then the Tweed Radio Lane is to the right of Rob's.

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/merkley_robf_tweed.jpg

[Athena]

Wow... what a vibe that thing exudes! Brooding and ominous. Stellar job!

Rob's guitar looks killer in that pic too. The flame really leaps out at that angle.

...Ath

[sxracer193]

:D I love that color.

[vangit]

Daaaaamn. I really didn't need to see the brazzy neck. I have a braz neck on #2, but I would LOOOOVE a brazy neck with the "Schroeder neck carve" which is on my Redwood. I really didn't need to see the pic........:)

[Schroeder]

Final assembly! Always a fun time. Should be playing making noise by tomorrow afternoon!

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/assembly1.jpg

http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/assembly2.jpg
http://www.schroederguitars.com/photos/Merkley/assembly3.jpg

[Schroeder]

By the way, one of the delays on this guitar was that I had a couple of the trem screws break while installing them. These are PRS screws and they are made of brass, presumably so that they are softer than the bridge material. So if something wears, it is the $0.10 screw as opposed to the $200 bridge. Smart! But that little recess that the knife edge of the trem sits in is a very weak point in the screw. I did not lube the screws before I installed them the first time and I snapped the heads off of two of the screws. Less learned!! It was pretty stressful pulling out the broken screws! I used an Easy-Out (the smallest one I had). These things are life savers if you ever need to removed a broken screw!

[Shadscbr]

Looks Sweet! :)

Shad

[Schroeder]

Down to the nitty gritty on this one!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/3120277283_c9fc5d998c.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/3120277325_b2ba94e0b3.jpg

[WinstaBull]

Cant Wait to hear this one and its HSH config. Its a beaut...

[sxracer193]

Wanted to let you guys know that #23 arrived at our house this morning via Schroeder transport services. Jason was kind enough to drop it off while he is here in town (60 miles out of his way). While showing the guys at Fleewood Mac the guitars he brought for them to see, Jason had an opportunity to show them #23 as well. Through the course of the day it appears #23 picked up a name. Satan's Guitar. Ryan wanted an evil rock guitar. Not sure there could be a better name. Thanks Jason. Pics and Report to follow

Dave

[paintguy]

Congrats!

And delivery to Rancho Cucamonga, Wow!!! Can't beat that!

Enjoy!

[r9player]

Um does that mean you have to give up your guitar to satan now?
well glad it arrived safe!

[vangit]

Congrats Dave and Ryan!!!

[sxracer193]

Man, I am not a good photographer. I am going to try again with a few changes but here is a picture of the 4 Schroeders we now have and a coulple close up of Satan.

Dave
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/DSC_0009.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/DSC_0010.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/DSC_0011.jpg

[vangit]

Great group shot!

[guitarnyc]

Yes very cool group shot...the "satan" guitar looks amazing ! nice collection guys ! :)
________
Starcraft replays (http://screplays.com/replays)

[AK_NorPine]

Enjoy the Satan guitar, that is a stunning piece of work. LOVE the fretboard markers. Thanx for posting pics and don't be afraid to post more!

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for the pics, Dave. That is a nice looking family!!! :) #23 looks right at home!

You know, I actually forgot how much I like the Zerofret. It is gorgeous. One of my favorites. We have some guitars that go out the door that just speak to me ;) and that is one of them.

I really, really like the inlay on #23 though. Very classy symbols and Athena did an amazing job cutting them.

Anyway, glad you are enjoying them!

[Whitestrat]

Tell us about the HSH config and the tones you're getting ya?

[Schroeder]

Ryan and Dave,
Awesome to meet you both in person! And Kelly as well!! I wish I could have spent more time there but I really appreciate the short time we had.

Here is a little more about the switching. Ryan really wanted the middle pickup and wanted it to be on by itself if needed. So what i did was design the switching so that the mini toggle (a 3 way on/off/on) in the DOWN position turns ON the middle pickup and cuts the coils of the humbuckers. So with the mini toggle down you can use the 3-way to give you the in-between strat positions PLUS all three pickups on (split hums and the middle on). Mini-toggle in the MIDDLE position turns OFF the middle pickup and leaves the 3-way functioning in normal mode with full humbuckers. Mini toggle in UP position turns ON the middle pickup and leaves the humbuckers in full mode so that you get beefed up Strat tones and all pickups ON (both hums and middle). If you pull the tone pot UP (it is a push/pull), it cuts the humbuckers and leaves the middle pickup on by itself. The middle PUP is the Seymour Duncan "Twang Banger" that is a really high output singlecoil. It actually has a copper plate on the bottom of it to give it more OOMPH!!! Sounds fat and thick.

The pickups can also be completely killed by having the tone pot UP and the mini toggle in the middle position as all pickups are then OFF.

Poor Ryan. Between this and the 915 he probably needs a flow chart or cheat sheet to figure all this switching out!! Ryan, I am here for you if you have questions!!

[Schroeder]

By the way, FANTASTIC pics!! So cool to see the guitars in one place. I should have pulled all the guitars out of the car so we could have had 9-10 in a pic!!