The biggest shift I recall is when the shapes got modified and the prs, les paul, sg, Wolfgang, etc got modded.
These won't be back, as it is a legal issue.
Aaron, just how big is the "off menu" options list? I assume this changes along with workload like the trans paints?
It's not really a question of what we
can do (which is pretty much everything any other guitar company can do), but more a question what we
will do, and that's determined by how far outside our normal production lanes it goes. We aren't going to agree to do an original body shape based off a sketch. That's way too much R&D time. But there are all kinds of things we
will do that don't upset the natural flow of things too much. If you want something you don't see just contact the sales department and they will let you know if we can do it.
The biggest gripes we hear about this come from people who don't understand how large scale production works. They ask for something that sounds simple to them - and
is simple when one guy is building one body. When we tell them "no" the get persnickety.
I have a feeling neon colors will be back.
I am seeing trucks with neon yellow and pink wheels and matching accoutrements.
Uh....hello.....1989 called.......they want their style back!! Lol.
I am hoping I can break out my mesh shirts again! Lol
As much as I would love to see you in your mesh half-shirt, the neons won't be back...at least not in their old form. There was an issue with the paint itself that couldn't be resolved.
On a serious note, what's the deal with solid Carved tops? I assume that's for the figured maple and stuff? Is it even available of menu as an upcharge?
I mean, I've moved on from wood library guitars, and lean towards solid colors these days, so it's more a curiosity than anything at this point.
Solid 3/4" carved tops are expensive to make. People are willing to pay that on fully-built, prestigious guitars. They aren't as willing to pay it on for an unassembled part. It just doesn't compute in their heads that a body they still have to build themselves should cost so much. The move to double-lams was Ken's solution, to be able to offer a carved top at a more reasonable price. There were feelings from the execs going both ways, so who knows....maybe some day we will offer a true carved top again, but it won't be any time soon.