3D Rendering


Here are a couple of 3D renderings of the CAD model. Solid modeling is fun as soon as you get the hang of it. It becomes so gratifying when you see the rendering taking shape. Ah yeah… the artist in me. The model is dimension-accurate (down to the screws). I do have a couple of unfinished actual prototypes as well as some actual parts (tuners, pickups, etc.) that I reverse-modeled.

(Click to zoom)

Full view of the guitar
Full view of the guitar

Full view (head POV)
Full view (head POV)

The Body

The top is 4 layer carbon fiber (See Black Steel) with polished stainless steel binding (typically, luthiers use plastic). I am all for non-traditional designs, but this time, I’d like to start with a more conventional Strat-ish body design. I’d love to have more electronics installed (more on this later), but the basics must be set in place. For this design, that means 3 DiMarzio Area 69 pickups, standard 5 position lever switch, passive volume and tone controls, Schaller roller bridge and Grover locking tuners. Electronics fail and easily become obsolete. I want this creation to be alive and kicking, and still retain its value, 50 years or more into the future for the generations to come.

(Click to zoom)

Body Top
Body Top

Body Top (Alternate POV)
Body Top (Alternate POV)

Body Top (Guitarist POV)
Body Top (Guitarist POV)

Back View Showing Top Curve
Back View Showing Top Curve

The top has a slight curvature (717 mm radius) as shown in the 4th image above. The bottom is aggressively contoured for ergonomics and for easy access to the higher frets. The image below shows the guitar’s back. The neck-thru construction eliminates the neck-body joint so we can be as radical as we can in sculpting the back.

Contoured Bottom with Smooth Neck to Body Transition
Contoured Bottom with Smooth Neck to Body Transition

Neck-thru construction

The neck runs through the full length of the strings up to the bridge and string ferrules. The string goes through the body (2nd picture below). It is constructed using bamboo-epoxy laminate (See The Mystical Plant) wrapped in 3 to 4 layers of carbon fiber. The truss-rod is also constructed from carbon fiber (unlike traditional guitars using steel rods). Like the body, the neck-thru sports polished stainless steel bindings around the fretboard and head.

This middle neck-thru piece is the most crucial part of the guitar. Like the classic Steinberger, the premise is that this middle section should sound good by itself. Unlike the Steinberger however, we will still have a head and a body. Like the Les Paul, the carbon fiber body top will enhance and project the guitar’s sound.

(Click to zoom)

Neck-Thru Middle Section
Neck-Thru Middle Section

String through Body
String through Body

The Head and Fretboard

The logo and truss-rod cover are stainless steel inlaid into the 6-layer carbon fiber top. The fretboard has the same sandwiched carbon fiber-bamboo-carbon fiber construction. The fret position markers are back-lit with white LEDs with brightness adjustment.

(Click to zoom)

14 degree Head Angle
14 degree Head Angle

Head Front View
Head Front View

Head with more of fretboard with backlit markers
Head with more of fretboard with backlit markers

Head Back View
Head Back View

Head (Alternate view)
Head (Alternate view)

Head Close-up
Head Close-up
Next: Perfect Switching (part 1) next

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Pooja Chaudhary
Pooja Chaudhary
11 years ago

hey, the guitar is absolutely beautiful…. i was just wondering if you could post up a more detailed exploded view of the guitar??

thankx!!

zay mayor
zay mayor
11 years ago

where can i buy your guitar?

zay mayor
zay mayor
11 years ago

Man that is the best looking guitar i have seen

Srini
Srini
10 years ago

Joel,

You have a stunning looking guitar. I wish you all the success you deserve!

For me, the idea behind a composite guitar like this is the ability to travel with it, check it into an airplane…things like that. But I notice your level of detail with compound radius fingerboards, contouring and switching systems that could well make this one's primary axe with the imperviousness to condition just being an added bonus!

Could you share with us what your nut width is, and whether or not you plan to Plek the frets? Also, your radius specs of 12" – 18" is a tad flatter than on my guitars (10" – 16") I imagine I could get used to it, but its anybody's guess whether the slim neck will feel as comfortable as the ultra FAT necks (1" all the way, C carve) I love.

I'd be interested in what your pricing is likely to be..:)

Best Regards,

Srini

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