What makes your guitar great? Color, finish, pickups, tuners? Maybe,
but most likely not. Great guitars are held by players who really
appreciate the parts that add up to quality. This is true however there
is a catch. The great guitars are the ones that contain the qualities
desired by the player holding the guitar. Huh? What do I mean by that?
What makes great guitars… great?
Simply this. Every player has different ideas on what makes his
guitar great. It is very personal. Some players need certain parts to
make them feel comfortable using the instrument. For example, a player
may need a good tremolo so he can demonstrate his particular techniques.
Still others may gravitate to a particular guitar because it has the
“action” he desires. Action is defined as the proximity of the strings
to the top of the frets. The lower the strings, the closer the action
and ease of play is more evident.
My guitar is better ….
Players will often compare their guitar to another and usually say-my
guitar is better. Then they’ll list all of the qualities that make it
so. What they’re really saying is, “There are qualities in my guitar
that I have not found in any other guitar. I am sticking with this
guitar until I find another one that plays just like it”. Got it. Keep
looking or go to a custom shop.
What is a custom guitar shop?
It’s a place where great guitars a made, adjusted, tapered, tailored
and finished to your specs. So, a guitar player has two choices. He can
stand in one place and watch as all the guitars slowly go past in his
lifetime trying each one until the “ideal” next guitar floats by. The
other choice is to ask for what he needs. Since he already has his
perfect guitar in hand then all that’s necessary is to duplicate it’s
most important and prized qualities. Yes, that’s right a custom shop can
measure, extract, compare, duplicate and set up a guitar exactly like
the one you play.
If not, why not? Do you have great guitars
or just one? Don’t you have an extra pair of shoes? A spare tire? Do
you have spare guitar picks? Strings? Why not a spare guitar in case of
emergency? You may want to think about it. Taking a second guitar to a
gig is not just a good idea but a necessity in most cases. Think about
having your most prized tool-duplicated for emergency purposes. It’s
great to have a spare! Get one! Fast!
Haywire Custom Guitars Surf Green Guitar with Block Inlay
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
Successful musicians consistently do things that unsuccessful
musicians are unable, or unwilling to do. As a musician it is your
responsibility to learn your instrument. Learn how it works, learn how
to adjust and set it up for maximum benefit
for you, the player. The learning just begins there.
A player also
needs to learn the music, the styles and thoroughly know the content and
repertoire. Most importantly, the successful player knows how to get
along with the other members in the band. They also have a back-up
instrument in case of emergency.
Better yet, each player in a band, trio or group situation should
learn enough material to cover a whole night by themselves. Yes, that’s
right each player needs to have a whole night of music ready to play.
The other members need to learn the tunes as well. So, 4 members equals 4
whole song lists that every other member is completely familiar with as
well.
Teach every member in the group your songs and learn theirs. Why?
What if a member or two fails to show for a gig? You already got it
covered. Right? No worries. The show must go on. And successful
musicians prove it will.
If you want to get asked back to a venue,
then do a good job. Show the boss you can handle any situation that
arises. Successful bands deliver the goods-always!
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
What is the Right Guitar? It takes more than just talent to have
successful music career and for a musician be master of an instrument to
become fluent in the language of music.
Quote from a young guitarist : “I’d love to have lots of expensive guitars but since I can’t really afford it, I’m pleased with a guitar which sounds good enough so I can improve my skills on it“. Very wise words indeed!
Your guitar shouldn’t de-tune much, it shouldn’t sound like an industrial
tuning fork, however it should play properly, fret perfectly and sound
angelic. Many new music students who feel they can’t really sound good
unless they spend several thousand dollars on gear.
You don’t have to spend crazy money to get a decent guitar.
The right parts for the right player
Indeed, a good instrument will improve your playing not because it
looks good but it feels and sounds good! With a great guitar you will
be more motivated to play. If you really love playing, your heart will
crave to progress and develop better means of self expression. The fact
that you own a good instrument will serve as a great motivator.
Tone lies in the hands of the player. Your hands can get the best out
of a good instrument. A $300 guitar can be a good guitar if serviced
by the right tech. It’s not compulsory to have a $4,000 custom shop
Gibson Les Paul, to say that you have a good guitar. If your guitar
is set up properly, balanced right, sounds great and has the necessary
functions available for your needs it’s the right guitar for you.
Music is not always pretty
Having an instrument that is physically comfortable to play, sounds
great in any situation, is quiet until asked to speak loudly, is light
weight, and good looks to suit your style, will definitely keep your
motivation up and make playing easier for sure. The best guitar is the
one that enables you to get your sound, do what you demand of it,
whatever that may be, and feel comfortable. It your best tool.
The practical difference between a “nice” guitar and a top level, hand built, Axe can be substantial. If you need to have pro grade
gear, get it. Don’t settle for less. The better the instrument, the
less you have to fight it. So don’t stress. It’s not part of the job.
Play stress-free. Getting pinch harmonics, adequate gain, workable
tone, quietness in the studio and onstage are all important aspects of a
great instrument.
Most of the supposed “extras” you find on guitars are marketing gimmicks.
Most of the supposed “extras” you find on guitars are marketing gimmicks. There’s no need to spend thousands to get a great guitar. Personal
preference is the key. When I finally got a great guitar it all felt a
little more effortless, smoother and just plain easier. It’s all worth
the process.
I need the right guitar for me. Exactly! You play and sound different from anyone else and so should your guitar. It all boils down to just choosing and using the best guitar that suits your needs. Price is not always the final determining final factor. A good guitar tech with great listening skills+an
open minded player+verbalization of needs+desire for the perfect
instrument = the best possible outcome when finding your ideal
instrument. Guitar sound and play-ability motivates
a player to practice more, because it inspires. Top of the range
equipment, excellent ideas and implementation designed by the player and
tech together will promote and allow everything to happen faster and
effortlessly.
Successful musicians consistently do things that unsuccessful
musicians are unable, or unwilling to do. And as a Pro musician, it is
your responsibility to learn your instrument. It’s your main work tool.
Learn how it works, learn how to adjust and set it up for maximum
benefit to you, the player. The learning just begins there. A player
also needs to learn the music, the styles and thoroughly know the
content and repertoire. The successful guitar player knows how to get
along with the other members in the band. Most importantly, they also
have a backup guitar in case of emergency. Haywire Custom Guitars knows
how important your job is. We can duplicate your guitar in our Custom
Shop so you’ll always have a backup guitar!
When you work hard on computer files don’t you back them up? Of
course. You may need them in an emergency if the computer fails.
Correct? You keep them with you on a flash drive or in a cloud. You do
this because you are a Pro and want to be seen as a Pro and taken
seriously. As well when you have a job to do you need to be prepared to
complete the job no matter what may occur. That is why you are
successful.
Are you a successful guitar player?
What are you willing to do? A lot of non-pro players will do a job
on the fly and use what tools they have on hand to complete it. Pro
players, on the other hand, plan for success. When they approach a job,
they do it to succeed. That’s another reason they are called pros.
Get serious about your job. If you plan on a long career in the music
business then plan now to eliminate failure. At Haywire Custom Shop we
work to build duplicate guitars for serious players who plan for
success. We are musicians working for musicians. Let us work for you.
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
Successful musicians consistently do things that unsuccessful
musicians are unable, or unwilling to do. And as a Pro musician, it is
your responsibility to learn your instrument. It’s your main work tool.
Learn how it works, learn how to adjust and set it up for maximum
benefit to you, the player. The learning just begins there. A player
also needs to learn the music, the styles and thoroughly know the
content and repertoire. The successful guitar player knows how to get
along with the other members in the band. Most importantly, they also
have a replica guitar in case of emergency. Haywire Custom Guitars knows
how important your job is. We can replicate your guitar in our Custom
Shop. A Replica is – an exact reproduction executed by the original artist. We’ll make sure you’ll always have a backup guitar!
When you work hard on computer files don’t you back them up? Of
course. You may need them in an emergency if the computer fails.
Correct? You keep them with you on a flash drive or in a cloud. You do
this because you are a Pro and want to be seen as a Pro and taken
seriously. As well when you have a job to do you need to be prepared to
complete the job no matter what may occur. That is why you are
successful.
Are you a successful guitar player?
What are you willing to do? A lot of non-pro players will do a job
on the fly and use what tools they have on hand to complete it. Pro
players, on the other hand, plan for success. When they approach a job,
they do it to succeed. That’s another reason they are called pros.
Get serious about your job. If you plan on a long career in the music
business then plan now to eliminate failure. At Haywire Custom Shop we
work to build replica guitars for serious players who plan for success.
We are musicians working for musicians. Let us work for you.
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck,
re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks? At
Haywire Custom Guitars, we do it all and as a result, you’ll feel more
comfortable with your guitar. You’ll feel more comfortable with your
guitar playing too. Therefore, if you have a neck that you just love but
it’s a bit too thick-we’ll shave it for you. $135.00 plus return
shipping to your door will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness
more comfortable for you. We’ll also replace the finish on the back to
help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful.
Guitar Neck Shaving:What is Your Preference,A Thin Neck or Thick Neck ?
Neck thickness should be chosen for what best fits your hands, not
the “tone” it has. Furthermore, that should be the major consideration
in the choice of your new neck. The timbre of a fat neck is noticeable.
However, most of the tone comes from your playing technique-not the
wood.
On an electric guitar tones are affected by everything from the
pickups and amplification to pedals, pickups to speaker enclosures.
Guitar Neck Shaving Is A Viable Option For Maximum Comfort
In a live playing situation “wood tones” in an electric guitar will
become even less noticeable. Let’s say everything is equal and the
guitar is perfectly in tune and intoned. The overall sound of your
guitar may be noticeably affected by a fatter/ thicker neck but
generally only when you are playing without the guitar plugged in to an
amp. Most of all, high gain electric guitar tone is very much dependent
on a players technique and comfort with his instrument and not the
thickness of a neck. Therefore, guitar neck shaving is a viable option
for comfort.
Neck tone is an issue that no empirical evidence has ever put to
rest. However, comfort does affect your playing ability and technique
which is what matters most in finding and maintaining your tone. Start
with finding a neck that makes playing a joy and enhances your technique
in a way that allows you to play your best, then:
Find the best amp that suits your ear for the tone you like.
However, other factors to consider are pickups, effects, speaker enclosures, etc.
When we do guitar neck shaving, it’s intended for musicians who are
working and need a good tool so it will play better. A guitarist’s tool
is not intended to be entered into a beauty contest. If your neck
thickness is an impediment to your playing, then guitar neck shaving is
the right decision for you. Neck shaving is to help you be more
comfortable with your guitar. A finish is applied simply to prevent
moisture from absorbing into the neck wood. If you are a guitar
collector, neck shaving will not improve the resale value of your
instrument. Remember, anything that you to an original instrument will
take value away. Collectors love all the flaws on an old guitar.
Thank you for stopping by the website and taking time to inquire about Guitar Neck Shaving!
The best way to communicate what you need is to either work with specs
from your existing neck or send a neck along with the one you’d like
shaved. Ideally the sample neck you send should be what you’d liked
duplicated on the neck to be shaved. We can duplicate anything.
If you want to work from your existing neck then move the strings and
take thickness measurements with a digital caliper. We do this every
time a neck comes in to the shop. Take the sample thicknesses from-1st
fret 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12fth frets.
From those measurements we’ll be able to determine how much you need
removed to make it a better playing neck for you.
Similarly, we use those thickness numbers to work from.
Here is a typical example of the info we share with you when we get your neck in the shop to be shaved:
The specs as it came in were as follows: 1st fret 3rd 5th
7th 9th 12th .925 .947 .963 .977 .991 .101
After a guitar neck shaving here are the new specs as follows: 1st fret
3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th .829 .850 .890
.901 .904 .932
In the same way, we can get the reduction as close as possible within a few thousandths of what you need removed.
There are other ways to communicate your desired result, such as simply: “I’d like a 20% reduction” and we can do that.
The more specific you can be the better the outcome. We can duplicate anything you send us as well.
The other consideration is the back profile and if you’d like it to stay the same or if you want a change.
Neck Back Profiles
What is a “neck profile?” It simply refers to the shape of the back of a
guitar neck. It’s also referred to as the neck “back shape.”
You can find neck and back profiles here: https://haywirecustomguitars.com/guitar-neck-replacement/
Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck, re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks?
We do it all as a result, you feel more comfortable with your guitar.
Therefore, when you have a neck that you just love but it’s a bit too thick, we’ll shave it for you.
“Just $135.00 plus return shipping back to you will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness more comfortable for you.
We’ll also replace the finish on the back to help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful. Best of all,
no waiting. We work on the neck as soon as it gets here. the turn around time is 2 days or less from when we receive it”.
2 things to remember when shipping to us:
Firstly, Ship with the US Post Office. They are less expensive and much more careful with your packages from our experience. Second, Forget buying “signature required” services. Our postal carriers know where to leave the neck safely and securely.
These two tips will save you money, save time by getting us the neck sooner and delivered safely.
“We are musicians working for musicians”
Send your neck or guitar to us here:
Rick Mariner c/o Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. Haywire Custom Shop Lees Landing Circle Conway, SC 29526 Call: 843-347-5742 http://haywirecustomguitars.com
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
Guitar need a tweak? Need the 8 Point Gig Ready Process to get you jump started?
Has
your guitar become a little difficult to play sometimes? Does it
sound,”out of tune”? Are the strings too high off the neck? Is the
neck warped or bowed? Are the tuning gears difficult to turn due to
rusty moving parts ? Probably? Maybe, your guitar needs an 8-Point
tune up!
A hard to play guitar could be a
roadblock to your success as a musician, so if you want your guitar to
play better and faster, let Haywire prep your guitar with our ” 8 Point
Gig Ready Process”.
It’s like getting it ready for the Daytona 500! This is the same
process that we perform on all of our new instruments, and it will put
your “baby” back in shape, and allow you to play fast and in tune up
and down the fret board like never before!
Bring your guitar back from the dead with a well-deserved
tune up from Haywire Custom Guitars! This includes cleaning the
electronics, the fret board, tightening any loose hardware, adding
the proper washers to the input jack and tightening it to make sure it
stays tight, re-stringing, adjusting the truss rod, cleaning and
adjusting nut slots, set string height and intonation! See our whole
process below. Please feel free to inquire about how we can help you be
a better player!
First of all, each guitar neck is
checked and adjusted to be sure it is true and straight to ensure proper
alignment on all axis. This step ensures proper action and allows for
more accurate and easier guitar tuning, playing and set-up in the following steps.
Point 2: Inspect and Lube The Guitar Tuning Gears
Before installing the guitar tuning
gears, each one is checked thoroughly. Each tuning gear is adjusted so
that there is no play in the mechanism. They are then lubricated to
insure smooth and even movement to make your guitar tune accurately.
Point 3: Potting The Guitar Pickups
Because, we dip the pickups in hot wax to reduce squeal therefore, as a result, no unwanted guitar feedback.
Point 4: Prep The Guitar Body
Upon installing the guitar electronic
components, while great care is taken to ensure that all wires are
properly routed, spaced, and grounded. In addition, you’ll have many
years of trouble free service with your guitar.
Point 5: Level and Polish The Frets
Most noteworthy, this insures that all
of the guitar frets are level, eliminating any possibility of fret buzz
due to unevenness.
Point 6: Radius The Guitar Strings
Since, most guitar necks have a
contour over the top of the neck called the radius. We adjust the
strings to make sure the height of each string follows the contour of
the guitar neck radius.
Point 7: Adjusting The Overall Guitar String Height and The Action
Once we set the contour and radius of
the guitar strings, it’s time to adjust the overall height of the
strings from the top of the frets to the bottom of the guitar strings.
Point 8: Set The Guitar Intonation
This step is done twice. The intonation is set two times with a 24
hour “seat-in” period in between to allow the guitar to properly re-seat
to the new adjustments.
Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck,
re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks? At
Haywire Custom Guitars, we do it all and as a result, you’ll feel more
comfortable with your guitar. You’ll feel more comfortable with your
guitar playing too. Therefore, if you have a neck that you just love but
it’s a bit too thick-we’ll shave it for you. $135.00 plus return
shipping to your door will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness
more comfortable for you. We’ll also replace the finish on the back to
help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful.
Guitar Neck Reshaping: What is Your Preference, A Thin Neck or Thick Neck ?
Neck thickness should be chosen for what best fits your hands, not
the “tone” it has. Furthermore, that should be the major consideration
in the choice of your new neck. The timbre of a fat neck is noticeable.
However, most of the tone comes from your playing technique-not the
wood.
On an electric guitar tones are affected by everything from the
pickups and amplification to pedals, pickups to speaker enclosures.
Guitar Neck Shaving Is A Viable Option For Maximum Comfort
In a live playing situation “wood tones” in an electric guitar will
become even less noticeable. Let’s say everything is equal and the
guitar is perfectly in tune and intoned. The overall sound of your
guitar may be noticeably affected by a fatter/ thicker neck but
generally only when you are playing without the guitar plugged in to an
amp. Most of all, high gain electric guitar tone is very much dependent
on a players technique and comfort with his instrument and not the
thickness of a neck. Therefore, guitar neck shaving is a viable option
for comfort.
Neck tone is an issue that no empirical evidence has ever put to
rest. However, comfort does affect your playing ability and technique
which is what matters most in finding and maintaining your tone. Start
with finding a neck that makes playing a joy and enhances your technique
in a way that allows you to play your best, then:
Find the best amp that suits your ear for the tone you like.
However, other factors to consider are pickups, effects, speaker enclosures, etc.
When we do guitar neck shaving, it’s intended for musicians who are
working and need a good tool so it will play better. A guitarist’s tool
is not intended to be entered into a beauty contest. If your neck
thickness is an impediment to your playing, then guitar neck shaving is
the right decision for you. Neck shaving is to help you be more
comfortable with your guitar. A finish is applied simply to prevent
moisture from absorbing into the neck wood. If you are a guitar
collector, neck shaving will not improve the resale value of your
instrument. Remember, anything that you to an original instrument will
take value away. Collectors love all the flaws on an old guitar.
Thank you for stopping by the website and taking time to inquire about Reshaping A Guitar Neck!
The best way to communicate what you need is to either work with specs
from your existing neck or send a neck along with the one you’d like
shaved. Ideally the sample neck you send should be what you’d liked
duplicated on the neck to be shaved. We can duplicate anything.
If you want to work from your existing neck then move the strings and
take thickness measurements with a digital caliper. We do this every
time a neck comes in to the shop. Take the sample thicknesses from-1st
fret 3rd 5th 7th 9th 12fth frets.
From those measurements we’ll be able to determine how much you need
removed to make it a better playing neck for you.
Similarly, we use those thickness numbers to work from.
Here is a typical example of the info we share with you when reshaping a guitar neck:
The specs as it came in were as follows: 1st fret 3rd 5th
7th 9th 12th .925 .947 .963 .977 .991 .101
After a guitar neck shaving here are the new specs as follows: 1st fret
3rd 5th 7th 9th 12th .829 .850 .890
.901 .904 .932
In the same way, we can get the reduction as close as possible within a few thousandths of what you need removed.
There are other ways to communicate your desired result, such as simply: “I’d like a 20% reduction” and we can do that.
The more specific you can be the better the outcome. We can duplicate anything you send us as well.
The other consideration is the back profile and if you’d like it to stay the same or if you want a change.
Neck Back Profiles
What is a “neck profile?” It simply refers to the shape of the back of a
guitar neck. It’s also referred to as the neck “back shape.”
You can find neck and back profiles here: https://haywirecustomguitars.com/guitar-neck-replacement/
Guitar neck shaving, thinning or reshaping a guitar neck, re-profiling a guitar neck or shaping and duplicating guitar necks?
We do it all as a result, you feel more comfortable with your guitar.
Therefore, when you have a neck that you just love but it’s a bit too thick, we’ll shave it for you.
“Just $135.00 plus return shipping back to you will get guitar neck shaving done to a thickness more comfortable for you.
We’ll also replace the finish on the back to help preserve the wood and keep it smooth and beautiful. Best of all,
no waiting. We work on the neck as soon as it gets here. the turn around time is 2 days or less from when we receive it”.
2 things to remember when shipping to us:
Firstly, Ship with the US Post Office. They are less expensive and much more careful with your packages from our experience. Second, Forget buying “signature required” services. Our postal carriers know where to leave the neck safely and securely.
These two tips will save you money, save time by getting us the neck sooner and delivered safely.
“We are musicians working for musicians”
Send your neck or guitar to us here:
Rick Mariner c/o Haywire Custom Guitars Inc. Haywire Custom Shop Lees Landing Circle Conway, SC 29526 Call: 843-347-5742 http://haywirecustomguitars.com
Mr. Rick Mariner Owner and Founder and CEO of Haywire Custom
Guitars Inc.
He is a member of The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
(A.S.I.A.) as well as a guitar player. Rick holds a bachelors degree
from University of Md.and a Masters degree from George Washington
University. Rick developed his exclusive 8 – Point “Gig- Ready” guitar
process that allows for Custom Guitars that are “GIG-READY”. With Rick’s
many years of development and guitar set-up experience, Haywire Guitar
shop “Builds satisfied players… one Haywire guitar at a time”.
Leave A Comment