If you made one VIP guitar before you die

[Rick]

Wanted to write them down before I forget:
1) All flame maple in clear
2) All gold with rosewood fretboard and gold inlay
3) Honey Burst
4) Blue or Aqua dye burst, flame maple top, transparent blue back, flame maple neck with  transparent blue back, rosewood veneer or black headstock.  Rosewood fretboard

 

[Axkoa]

My dream VIP would be; Hollow Roasted Swamp Ash, 2 f-holes, Gold Top Gold/Transparent Brown back. Chrome hardware, maybe a Wenge/Ebony neck.

So out of your four options, maybe #2. But I like how Honey Burst looks, and #4 sounds nice as well. Oh and #1 would be really clean.

Well damn, I see the dilemma now...you might just need to get all 4?

Seriously though, I think #2 or #4 would be my choices. All gold might be a bit over the top though.

 

[Rick]

Well I’m adding candy red, and tequila sunrise to the list.

 

[Rick]

Adding candy tangerine and sunset orange.  Two humbuckers.

 

[Rick]

Current thoughts:
1)Honey burst
2)Metallic Honey burst
3)Natural (Clear)
4)Gold Top Gold

 

[Rick]

Current thoughts (after daydreaming watching a sunset)
1) Tequila Sunrise
2) Tiger's Eye
3) Natural
4) Fire Burst
5) White Pearl
6) No finish (Roasted something Body and exotic neck)
7) Aqua Marine
8) Candy Red
I wish there was a black pearl

I seem to be adding options rather than subtracting.  Oh well.

Edit:
1) Tequila Sunrise
2) Tiger's Eye
4) Fire Burst
7) Aqua Marine
8) Candy Red
9) Black pearl
10) Cherry Burst
Edit
Natural
Tigers eye
Fire burst
Aqua marine
Tequila sunrise
Candy red
I already have a white pearl, a natural, and a no finish lost its appeal.

Edit:
1)Walnut Body, Figured Walnut Top, Black Binding, Clear Gloss
2) Alder Body, Quilt Maple, Tortoise Binding, Tiger's Eye, Trans Brown Back
3) Mahogany Body, Flame Maple Top, Tortoise Binding, Fire Burst, Trans Red Back
4) Swamp Ash Body, quilt top, Pearl or white Binding, Aqua marine burst, trans blue back
5) Maple Body, quilt maple top, Ivroid Binding, clear
Trying to figure out what to do with:

Tequila sunrise
Have abandoned Candy Red.

So that's 6.



I already have a white pearl, a natural, and a no finish lost its appeal.

 

[Cagey]

I wish there was a black pearl

Maybe they do, but it's not a listed option. Be worth a call. I bought a pearl surf green Jazzmaster body a while back and that's not a listed option. It just showed up one day at a bargain basement price. Probably an order cancellation that ended up in the Showcase by default.

 

[arealken]

Well, just for reference mine is your classic black. I might change the pickup rings to black ( too much cream?). It's the std. Mahogany/ Maple, Gotoh 21;1 tuners, Burstbucker 2 neck 'bucker, Antiquity/Pearly Gates hybrid in bridge, RS Guitar Works wiring harness, Tone Pros bridge, sounds good and plays like a million bucks.

 

[Rick]

Wow that looks good.

 

[Rick]

Area, I'm really digging your guitar.  I wish I could have one of each.

 

[BroccoliRob]

i would call and ask if they could do some sort of pink dye on top with black on the back. i'd be boot-scootin' every night with that fancy lady.

 

[Axkoa]

Area, I'm really digging your guitar.  I wish I could have one of each.

What if you make two, one with humbuckers and the other with P90's? Then you can pick two colours. Hurry before I patent this idea.

 

[Rick]

Here's one of the colors I'd like to replicate on my guitar.  It's from a sunset in western australia.  I believe it's closest to tequila sunrise.  Closest to the sun, which I suppose would be silver pickup covers, there's a flame figure while further away it would be quilty.  Below the sun is minimal figure.  Guess I'll have to to pick out a top.

 

[Rick]

Well, I've settled on the color of the body, it'll be a VIP with a Honey Burst finish on quilt or flame maple.  Clear back.  Cream binding.  Chrome Gotoh wrap around bridge.

Now I just have to skulk around on the "choice" tops until one pops up that I like and bam we're off to the races.

 

[PhilHill]

Sounds like a sound plan Man! Good luck with the tops... :icon_thumright:

 

[Rick]

Wanted to post my pup selection ...

Neck: Dimarzio  Air Classic Neck DP190 (5.5, 4.5, 5.5) Output 206 Alnico 5, resistance 8.34 KoHms (1995) Nickel Cover

Bridge: Dimarzio PAF 36th anniversary Neck DP103 (5.5, 6.0, 5.5) Output 250, Alnico 5, resistance 7.31 Kohm (2008) Nickel Cover

I'm now doing serious lurking in the Unique Choice.  It's like trying to choose what kind of candy to eat, in a candy store.  I know I'll eventually pick one, but it's hard.  Expanding the search to include quilt maple and korina. Do I go for something perfect? Is it something with character?  Man, so many decisions.

 

[Rick]

Well after months of skulking I picked a top!  Every Wednesday for months I checked the "unique choice" top section.  I noticed that new tops were put up on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

I wanted to pick something that I perceived as perfect, but with just a tiny knot or two, something to add character.  I think that the knot in the middle will disappear under the Bridge, so ....    you might be wondering what did I get?

Hollow Carved Top VIP
Orientation: Right handed
Scale: 25-1/2"
Wood: Quilt Maple / Maple on Mahogany
UC Front Laminate: LT3378
Rout: Rear Rout
Pickup Rout: Humbucker (Neck), None (Middle), Humbucker (Brdg)
Controls: V-T-Tog (PRS)
Bridge: Gotoh Wraparound (Angled Pocket)
Jack Rout: 7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Neck Pocket: Strat® Shape
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
Contours: Contoured Heel / Tummy Cut
F-Holes: None
Binding: Cream Binding
Top Finish: Tequila Sunrise Burst
Back Finish: Clear
Finish Type: Gloss Finish
Stud Install: Use inserts from bridge on order

And here's the top ...

Yes, I went for the full monty!  When I looked at it, I went Whoa Daddy!  that's it!

I guess I'll have to move this over to the build in progess section, .... gosh it took me over a year to get to this stage.  I'm so happy! :bananaguitar:

 

[rgand]

That's a beautiful top, Rick. It was worth the wait.

 

[JaySwear2]

Here's one of the colors I'd like to replicate on my guitar.  It's from a sunset in western australia.  I believe it's closest to tequila sunrise.  Closest to the sun, which I suppose would be silver pickup covers, there's a flame figure while further away it would be quilty.  Below the sun is minimal figure.  Guess I'll have to to pick out a top.

Something to think about, unless you're dead set on a maple top, Tequila Sunrise looks incredible on swamp ash!

 

[Rick]

Too late ... picked out the top and the finish.  I'm committed.