Guitar for Brother-in-Law

[DocNrock]

My Brother-in-Law decided to take up the guitar at the young age of mid 50s.  He got himself a fairly nice acoustic, that I haven't yet seen.  I wanted to make him an electric, since he is a lefty; off-the-rack choices are fairly limited, if not non-existant.  I didn't want to go overkill on it with features, but at the same time I wanted something quality and with good tone. 

I chose swamp ash, since a clear coat will look pretty good on that.  The astute will note the lack of a pickup switch.  The middle knob will actually be a toggle, an option not given by the online builder.  The neck will be maple with black MOP inlays.  I thought of using an exotic wood for the neck, but the cost just comes out lower for the maple, even with a satin finish.

Thoughts?

 

[Cagey]

For the same money or less, you can get a roasted Maple neck.

No finish, looks and smells good, sounds like the real deal, feels like sex on stick, first guy in the 'hood to have one... what's not to love? Throw some monster SS frets on there and a good setup, and you'll probably keep it for yourself.

 

[DangerousR6]

Looks like you BIL will have some good help making his new en devours fun... :icon_thumright:

 

[Day-mun]

Too bad he's already started down the path of the south-paw. Left-handed people can just as easily learn to play so-called "right-handed" guitars. My son is a lefty, but plays guitar/bass "righty" because that is what was available. learning that way makes a lot of sense if anything like a variety of guitars to choose from is desirable. -If it isn't too late, I'd encourage him to switch... then just let him choose from what ya already haver put together!  :laughing7:

 

[DocNrock]

Cagey:  Good call on the roasted maple.  I hadn't even thought of that.  I'll keep that in mind.

DangerousR6:  Yes, and you know I will need a cool neck plate for this one.  :icon_thumright:

Day-mun:  Yeah, kids can do stuff like that.  But we old farts are stuck in our ways.  :laughing7:  Besides, he's already started learning lefty.  I don't want to discourage him.  :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

For the same money or less, you can get a roasted Maple neck.

No finish, looks and smells good, sounds like the real deal, feels like sex on stick, first guy in the 'hood to have one... what's not to love? Throw some monster SS frets on there and a good setup, and you'll probably keep it for yourself.

I went with the SS 6150 frets on roasted maple and love the thing.

 

[DocNrock]

Thanks for the replies, everyone, but I got a text from my sister-in-law today.  She said the conversation of an electric guitar came up the other day.  She asked him if he would play one, and (wtf) he said "no."  Oh well, glad to know now. 

 

[rgand]

Too bad he's not open to electric. Maybe he'll come around after he knows more.

By the way, what bridge option did you choose for that one?

 

[DangerousR6]

DangerousR6:  Yes, and you know I will need a cool neck plate for this one.  :icon_thumright:

:headbang1:

 

[DocNrock]

Too bad he's not open to electric. Maybe he'll come around after he knows more.

By the way, what bridge option did you choose for that one?

I was torn between a recessed TOM and a Fender style hardtail.

 

[Cagey]

Thanks for the replies, everyone, but I got a text from my sister-in-law today.  She said the conversation of an electric guitar came up the other day.  She asked him if he would play one, and (wtf) he said "no."  Oh well, glad to know now.

Look at it this way: you dodged a bullet.

Now, buy him a dog. That'll teach him  :laughing7:

Actually, I don't blame him. Even a high-end world class acoustic is a whole different animal than an electric. You get used to one or the other, and you don't play the other.

 

[rgand]

I was torn between a recessed TOM and a Fender style hardtail.

Thanks. I'm a fan of hardtail bridges. My first guitar was a lawsuit Tele copy with a Bigsby copy tremolo on it. It played great but I never used the trem. Just didn't get used to using it. Maybe some day.