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The standard features, and custom options listed within this page, are what is currently available on Custom Shop instruments.
If you are searching for an option and/or feature that has been seen within the TK Instruments web-site, yet it is no longer listed within this Custom Shop page; that is because those features and/or options have been discontinued.
My reasons for eliminating these older options and/or features was to continuously improve the quality (and passion) of my work.
Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience (or possible depression, stress etc.) this may have caused you.
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Getting started:
These instruments are only available in limited quantities, so please contact me before you fall in love!
Before considering a TK Instrument; You should first explore the Anatomy of a TK page in order to understand exactly what goes into these instruments.
It is also a good idea to look through the FAQ page.
Please be sure to carefully read the Policies page.
If you then wish to reserve the construction of your custom instrument; a deposit of 50% of the total cost will be required before beginning this process.
Once you have chosen your favorite Guitar or Bass model, you will then need to go through this entire page and copy any additional custom options that you might want (from within this page only); then paste each option that will make up your custom instrument onto an e-mail that has been addressed to me at:
[ vicellotar@gmail.com ].
Then please double check your list and make sure you have not missed any details, and then send it to me along with your phone number, so that we can begin discussing your instrument in person.
This is tougher then it sounds, so please carefully read through this page as you go.
Also: please be sure to read all the fine print notes in white, because they are often very important.
Remember you are building your dream instrument here, so TRY TO HAVE FUN!
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All Custom Shop instruments now include the following standard features at no extra cost:
 Glue in Neck attachmentDouble expanding dual adjustable truss rod One piece maple or mahogany neck Black or Gold TK logoLinseed Oil finishA wide selection of Hand select Tonewoods are available for use on almost all options at no extra cost Exotic wood Truss rod cover large control cavity with wood control cover Adjustable (spring mounted) pickups.Standard strap buttons24 stainless steel *standard sized, medium/jumbo frets (*does not include 5/32" handmade Stainless Frets).Sperzel Guitar or Bass tuners (some Sperzel colors may cost extra)6 ABM or 6 TK Single Guitar Bridges or 5 (bass) ABM single bridges (some ABM colors may cost extra)1/4" jack, and oval type jack plate (any available color) or Neutrik Locking Jack2 control pots with 2 wooden knobs (2 vol, or 1 vol &1 tone) and one *3 way LP switch *Bass: 3 way switch may be substituted for a pan pot and a wooden knob
*2 standard "adjustable mount" pickup installs (any combination of 2 pickups of hum, sin, or soap) a 3rd pickup option can be added below.*The pickup installation includes 2 standard spring mounted adjustable pickup cavities, and standard wiring's per pickup only.
You will need to either buy the pickups yourself and send them to me, or you can often buy your pickups through me.
Please Note: if the pickups you choose require a battery, special jacks, switches, or any unusual non standard wiring, then additional charges will apply.
Please keep in mind that the option of "body wood mounted" pickups is an additional charge.
Optional Tuning setups: Standard Tuning [Guitar: "E-A-D-G-B-E" or Bass: "B-E-A-D-G"]
-OR-
5ths Tuning [Guitar: "G-D-A-E-B-F#" or Bass: "C-G-D-A-E-"]
To add more custom options to your instrument;
such as an Exotic woods, a 3rd pickup, additional electronics, stainless fret rods, gold hardware, inlay options, etc. you will first need to scroll down this page (or use the "contents" links to the far left), and then select your favorite custom shop options to be added to your favorite Guitar or Bass model.
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| Guitar Models |
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Base price on a standard features Solid body 6 string guitar is:
$1890+ the cost of any added custom options
Add $200 for left handed option
The price of this model represents the basic body style as loaded with the above standard features.
The model you choose, does not yet have any -additional- options added to it yet.
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Base price on a standard features Hollow body 6 string guitar is:
$2190 + the cost of any added custom options
Add $200 for left handed option
The price of this model represents the basic body style as loaded with the above standard features.
The model you choose, does not yet have any -additional- options added to it yet.
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| Bass Models |
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Base price on a standard features Solid body 5 string E-Bass is:
$2090 + the cost of any added custom options
Add $200 for left handed option
The price of this model represents the basic body style as loaded with the above standard features.
The model you choose, does not yet have any -additional- options added to it yet.
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| Tuning Setups |
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What type of tuning setup would you like?
Standard Tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E (Guitar) or B-E-A-D-G (Bass)
-OR-
Perhaps you would like to try something new, and unique; such as 5ths Tuning?
Guitar 5ths: A-E-B-F#-C#-G# [ Surpasses the range (1 step lower, + 1-1/2 steps higher!) of a 7 string Guitar! ]
NOTE: All -Guitars- tuned in 5ths should have an extra fret (25 total); this so that the highest fretted note will give the instrument a full 6 octaves.
This is how I build all of the Hybrid Signature Series Guitars.
Bass 5ths: A-E-B-F# [ Surpasses the range of a 6 string Bass! ]
Please Note: the 5ths tuning option is not permanent. To re-setup your instrument in standard tuning; a simple intonation and possibly even a truss rod and action adjustment will be required.
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After years of experimenting with a variety of tung-oils, varnishes, and wax finishes; I finally found that the best finish is a hand polished open-grained polymerized-tung-oil finish...
Now, keep in mind that a Polymerized tung oil isn't a synthetic, its generally heated tung oil, but some brands will use chemicals. Tung oil polymerizes naturally as it dries, but the heating process to polymerize tung oil takes care of the polymerizing in advance so the polymerized tung oil will dry faster and harder with a much more glossy finish then regular tung oil.
Provided this finish is done correctly, this rather painstaking process leaves the instrument with a smooth natural warm glow..
The wood should has an "open grain feel" so that the natural tone and resonance can project from the wood's open pores.
$150 for the hand rubbed polymerized tung oil finish described above.
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Solid Body Woods:
What type of Body wood do you want?
(if you are choosing a hollow body, then this would be your "center" or "core" wood)
Mahogany Body
Ash Body
Alder Body
Or:
If you feel your instrument needs to be made of an Exotic species of wood please see the FAQ section on wood questions.
Do you want a top wood for your solid body?
Maple (non figured) Top
Or
$155 Quilt Maple Top
$150 Spalted/Figured Maple Top
$140 Flame Maple Top
$130 Birds Eye Maple Top
Do you want an 1/8" exotic wood pinstripe down the center of your body?
$35 Exotic Wood 1/8" pinstripe down center of any solid body top. {not available on hollow bodies}
(These can also be substituted with 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer...See Inlay)
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Hollow Body Woods
This section is for "Hollow body" guitar models only: If you are not building a Hollow body Guitar, then you may skip to next option.
What type of Body wood do you want?
(if you are choosing a hollow body, then this would be your "center" or "core" wood)
Mahogany Body
Ash Body
Alder Body
Or:
If you feel your instrument needs to be made of an Exotic species of wood,
please see the FAQ section on wood questions.
What type of top wood do you want on your Hollow Body?
[All hollow body instruments must have a top.]
Mahogany Top
Ash Top
Alder Top
Maple (non figured) Top
Or
$155 Quilt Maple Top
$150 Spalted/Figured Maple Top
$140 Flame Maple Top
$130 Birds Eye Maple Top
What type of back wood do you want on your Hollow Body?
[All hollow body instruments must have a back ]
Mahogany Back
Ash Back
Alder Back
Maple (non figured) Back
Or
$155 Quilt Maple Back
$150 Spalted/Figured Maple Back
$140 Flame Maple Back
$130 Birds Eye Maple Back
What type of tapered center body strip do you want on your Hollow body top?
(as seen in the photos below) The top on all Hollow models, must have a tapered center strip.
Please keep in mind that these choices will depend upon wood availability.
Mahogany top tapered center body strip
Ash top tapered center body strip
Alder top tapered center body strip
Maple (non figured) top tapered center body strip
Or
$10 for 5A Exotic Wood top tapered center body strip
What type of 1/8" out-line pinstripes do you want on your Hollow body top?
(as seen in the photo above) The top on all Hollow models, must also have two 1/8" pinstripes
(or 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer) at the outside edges of the tapered center strip.
Exotic Wood top 1/8" out-line pinstripes
(These can also be substituted with 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer...See Inlay)
What type of tapered center body strip do you want on your Hollow body back?
(as seen in the photos below) The back on all Hollow models, must have a tapered center strip.
Mahogany Back tapered center body strip
Ash Back tapered center body strip
Alder Back tapered center body strip
Maple (non figured) Back tapered center body strip
Or
$10 for 5A Exotic Wood Back tapered center body strip
What type of 1/8" Exotic Wood out-line pinstripes do you want on your Hollow body back?
(as seen in the photos above) The back on all Hollow models, must also have two 1/8" pinstripes
(or 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer) at the outside edges of the tapered center strip.
(These can also be substituted with 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer...See Inlay)
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Neck woods:
What type of neck wood do you want?
Mahogany Neck
Maple (non figured) Neck
Or
$75 for Flame Maple
$75 for Birds Eye Maple
Do you want a fully laminated ( 2 top/back and 2 pinstripe laminates ) Bass headstock?
****This is only available on BASS necks with the "Signature Series" option, and is not available on Guitars****
A: add $100 for a fully laminated headstock.
2 {top&back} exotic wood laminates, and 2 [black or maple] "pinstripe" laminates.
B: add $70 for 1 top laminate and 1 back headstock laminate
2 {top&back} exotic wood laminates, NO "pinstripe" laminates.
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Fingerboard woods:
Maple (non figured) Fingerboard
Or
$30 Exotic Wood Guitar fingerboard
$40 Exotic Wood Bass fingerboard
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Do you want wood fingerboard binding?
$125 1/8" fully bound Exotic Wood fingerboard for standard sized frets
(price applies to any fingerboard that is not loaded with the handmade .075" X .156" stainless steel frets)
When you choose the .075" x .156" stainless steel fret option, the binding is included in the price.
(this binding is approximately 3/64" thick on fingerboards with the .075" x .156" stainless steel fret option)
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Control cavity and truss rod cover woods:
What type of wood control cavity cover do you want ?
Tip: This wood should be either the same wood as the back of the instrument,
or the same wood as the body top wood, or the same wood as the head stock laminate top layer..
This is just a good rule to follow on custom instruments, but NOT a mandatory rule...
But again, please keep in mind that these choices are dependent upon wood availability.
For the latest hollow body model you will not need to choose a control cavity cover, because the cover is actually now part of the back plate!
[See left photo for details]
Mahogany Control cover
Maple (non figured) Control cover
Or
$10 for 5A Exotic Wood Control cover
(please keep in mind that these are dependent upon wood availability.)
NEW!! Magnetic covers!!
$40 to make control cover magnetically fastened (uses no screws)
(may not be available on some models)
What type of Exotic Wood truss rod cover do you want?
NEW!! Magnetic truss rod covers!!
$20 to make the truss rod cover magnetically fastened (uses no screws!)
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Guitar Neck Specifications:
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Compound Scale
Read more about this excellent feature here in the FAQ page!
Compound Scaled fingerboard is: 25" X 27"
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Approximate neck thickness: 1st Fret - .80", 12th Fret - .90" {Thickness does NOT include fret height}
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Approximate nut width: 1-5/8'' - [1.6" ]
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Bass Neck Specifications:
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Compound Scale
Read more about this excellent feature here in the FAQ page!
Compound Scaled fingerboard is: 34" X 36"
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approximate neck thickness: 1st Fret - .80", 12th Fret - .95" [Thickness does NOT include fret height]
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approximate nut width for 5 string Bass: 1-3/4" -[1.75"]
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Fret options
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Do you want extra large .075" high x .156" wide -handmade- stainless steel frets?
$425 for Guitar extra large .075" high x .156" wide -handmade- stainless steel frets
$450 for Bass extra large .075" high x .156" wide -handmade- stainless steel frets
add *$15 for each additional .075" high x .156" wide -handmade- stainless steel fret above 24 frets (up to 29 frets) *an additional $75 may apply if a new body design needs to be drawn up to accommodate the added frets.
NOTE: All -guitars- tuned in 5ths should have an extra fret (25 total) this so that the highest fretted note will give the instrument a full 6 octaves.
This is how I build all of my Hybrid Signature Series Guitars.
If you do not choose this option you will regret it! Believe me.
Also:
The fingerboard is fully bound with your choice of Exotic Wood when you choose the .075" x .156" stainless steel fret option.
(Binding is approximately 3/64" thick)
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Do you want any extra standard type stainless steel frets?
add *$5 for each additional standard type medium or jumbo size fret above 24 frets;
*an additional $75 may apply if a new body design needs to be drawn up to accommodate the added frets.
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Do you want a fret board cutaway?(may not work with some pickup types)
$65 cutaway for instrument with large .075" X .156" stainless frets.
$50 cutaway for standard sized stainless frets.
The fret board cutaway options allow you to have use of the high frets for the B and E strings, where the lower string frets are cutaway at an angle at the 22nd fret to the 24th fret.
The benefit of this option, is the added space allows the neck pickup to be placed in a position that gives a sweeter, deeper neck pickup tone to the lower strings. (one of my favorite options!)
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Inlay:
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Do you want a 1/16" Paua shell pinstripe inlaid into the entire length of your instrument's top?
crushed turquoise or crushed malachite and other materials may be available as well.
$45 for each 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripe (top only)
Hollow body Paua pinstripe options:
$70 To replace the two Top 1/8" wood pinstripes, with two 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripes (top only).
$90 To outline the two Top 1/8" wood pinstripes with two 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripes (top only).
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Do you want a Laser Cut and inlaid "TK" Headstock Logo on your "Signature Series" neck?
The "TK" Logo can be inlaid with your choice of crushed stones such as:
lapis, malachite, turquoise etc.
or
a variety of metal flake colors, or crushed Victorian colored glass are also available.
$40 for a laser cut /inlaid TK Logo
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What type of fingerboard inlay do you want ?
$50 for 24 fret "Off Set" Dot inlays of either pearl, abalone (Paua), or exotic wood.
(Price includes side dots)
Add $2.50 per any additional off set layout dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]
Add $10 if you just want 2 dots marking the 12th fret.
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Off set "V" shape inlay
$75 for 24 fret Zigzag or "V" dot inlay, of either pearl, abalone (Paua), or exotic wood.
(Price includes side dots)
Add $2.50 per any additional "V" or "Zigzag" dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]
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The triple dot inlays "mirror" the 3 sound holes on the body of the TK Hollow guitar. (quite nice!!)
$150 for 24 fret Triple Dot inlays of either pearl, abalone, or exotic wood.
(Price includes side dots)
Add $6.50 per any additional "triple dot" inlay [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]
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$25 for Side Dot inlays -only- (of either pearl, Paua or 1/16"stainless steel).
Add $.50 per -any type- additional side dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]
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| Guitar Hardware: |
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Note: If you want different hardware that is not featured on this site, please see FAQ page for further details on whether or not your choice of hardware will work with TK Instruments.
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What color of Sperzel locking tuners do you want?
Black, Chrome, Satin Gold, Satin Chrome (no extra cost!).
For Gold Plated: add $10
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Do you want Dunlop "flush-mount" Strap-locks?
Add $20* [*hollow body guitars add $5 extra]
Choose from Black or Chrome
For Gold Plated: add $5
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Do You want ABM single string guitar bridges?
Black, Chrome, (no extra cost!)
Gold Plated: add $30
These are one of the best bridges out there!
Because they don't make contact with each other, they help eliminate the"cross frequency contamination" associated with all other bridges.
Also, they are machined from a solid piece of brass,( rather than a cast metal mold, like many other bridges)...
Do you want TK Single bridges instead?
The single bridges are custom designed from solid Graphtech material for superior sustain, tuning performance, extended string life, and most of all "tone".
The bridge bases can be made of either Graphtech material, Delrin, or even a variety of select tonewoods.
TK Single Bridges are only available on TK Instruments!
Do you want a TK Piezo single bridge system?
Add $225
System includes:
Building and installing 6 individual TK-Graphtech Piezo GHOST single bridges, as well as the LR Baggs CTRL-X.
The Ctrl-X features an onboard mixer allowing you to mix Piezo acoustic guitar sounds with electric guitar passive magnetic's. It turns your guitar into a state-of-the-art acoustic/electric hybrid. An internal volume trim lets you match level with that of your existing magnetic pickups.
Price includes the cost and installation of the parts.
Price includes the cost and installation of the parts.
TK Piezo Single bridge systems are only available on TK Instruments!
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| Bass Hardware: |
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What color of Sperzel locking tuners do you want?
Black, Satin Gold, Satin Chrome...
For Gold Plated: add $10
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Do you want Dunlop "flush-mount" Strap-locks?
Add $20* [*hollow body guitars add $5 extra]
Choose from Black or Chrome
For Gold Plated: add $5
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What color do You want your ABM single string Bass bridges to be?
Black, Chrome, (no extra cost!)
Gold Plated: add $50
These are one of the best bridges out there!
Because they don't make contact with each other, they help eliminate the"cross frequency contamination" associated with all other bridges.
Also, they are machined from a solid piece of brass,( rather than a cast metal mold, like many other bridges)...
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Additional Electronics:
Please keep in mind that although we can do custom placement of most electronic components; I do use a standard size control cavity on all solid body instruments (hollow bodies have even more room due to the fact that they are hollow).
These standard cavities can hold most common control setups, and in some cases even a battery as well...
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Do you want any extra volume and/or tone controls?
$30 per single CTS 250K or 500K pot (volume or tone)
Price includes cost of pot as well as installation
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Do you want any extra real wood knobs?
$5.00 ea. Rosewood, Ebony, Maple.
(others may be available as well)
$10 to cap any wood knob with exotic wood.
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Do you want a different type of pickup switch in place of the standard 3 way LP ?
Because the 5 way "Strat style" switches are precision milled to mount directly into the top wood of the instrument,
they require a higher labor price compared to the 3 way LP type switches which only require a simple hole to be drilled.
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$40 per 5 way Strat style Mega-switch S-Model
A heavy-duty switch duplicating standard 5-way STRAT guitar wiring options.
Price includes cost of switch, and installation
$45 per 5 way Strat style Mega-switch P-Model
For two humbucker pickups. This 5-way lever-action switch duplicates the
combinations of Paul Reed Smith's rotary control.
Positions: 1 Bridge pickup; 2 Inner pickup coils, parallel; 3 Outer coils,
series; 4 Outer coils, parallel; 5 Neck pickup.
Price includes cost of switch, and installation
$45 per 5 way Strat style Mega-switch E-Model
5-way Megaswitch for 3-pickup combinations of single coils or humbuckers, or
for 2-humbucker guitars. It allows wiring arrangements not obtainable with a
standard 5-way guitar switch, including automatic coil-tapping and special
hum-canceling connections.
Price includes cost of switch, and installation
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Do you want any mini switches for humbucker coil taps?
$20 per mini switch
Price includes cost of switch, and installation
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Do you need a custom milled battery compartment, with a exotic wood cover?
You may not necessarily need this for your instrument, -IF- all your controls will fit in a standard size control cavity. Most standard control setups still have room for a battery as well...
$55 for a custom battery compartment with an exotic wood cover.
Price includes the parts cost and installation of the battery compartment.
Add $25 to make the battery cover magnetically fastened (uses no screws!)
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Do you want Body wood mounted pickups for better tone?
I have found that the best tonal option for mounting pickups, is to fasten the pickups directly to the wood in the pickup cavity, so that the bottom of the pickup makes tight contact with the body wood.
This allows the pickup receive the tone of the instruments resonating body wood.
You could almost compare the tone of wood mounted pickups, verses plastic bezel mounted pickups, in the same way you would compare a tube amp, to a solid state amp.
Basically, if the base of the pickup is mounted to the body wood of the instrument, then the pickup can produce the more organic, warm, alive tone of the instruments wood.
Some might consider it a down side that you can no longer adjust the pickup's height, but I feel it's worth the loss of adjustability.
Also, many pickups have adjustable pole pieces, so you can always use those for all the adjustability you would ever need.
However, if you feel you must have full adjustability, then I would at least recommend using a wood bezel, or no bezel at all.
$15 for each pickup that is precision mounted to the body wood.
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Additional (or 3rd) Guitar & Bass Pickups:
Need a 3rd pickup?
You can either buy the pickups yourself, and send them to me, or in some cases buy your pickups through me.
Please Note: if the pickups you choose require a battery, special jacks, switches,
or any unusual non standard wiring, then additional charges will apply.
The pickup installation price includes routing per pickup cavity, and standard wiring per pickup.
$80 per standard "adjustable mount" *Guitar Humbucker pickup installation
$50 per standard "adjustable mount" Guitar single coil pickup installation
$50 per "adjustable mount" Bass single coil pickup installation
$50 per "adjustable mount" jazz Bass pickup installation
$50 per "adjustable mount" Bass Humbucker pickup installation
$50 per "adjustable mount" Soapbar {Bass} pickup installation
Need a different pickup cavity not shown here? if so, please contact me.
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Do you want exotic wood pickup rings (bezels)?
*$55 each Exotic wood standard pickup Bezel
*$70 each Exotic wood "diagonal" pickup Bezel
Do you want exotic wood pickup veneers?
$40 ea. to install exotic wood veneer on single coil pickup covers that require holes.
$25 ea. for single coils that have no holes (such as an EMG)
$30 ea. to install exotic wood veneer on humbucker pickup cover (no holes)
(this option only works on EMG type covers with no polepiece holes).
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Cases:
Cases are a bit of an issue, because some "standard sized" cases may fit your instrument and some may not...
So, finding an inexpensive hardshell case that will fit your TK Custom shop instrument can be rather difficult to impossible.
Especially, if your instrument has extra frets, or an extra long or short scale length.
Keep in mind that your instrument will probably need to be shipped to you, so some type of hardshell case will be necessary.
IF we find a loose fitting inexpensive case for your instrument, then I can at least pack it with packing materials to help make sure it won't be knocked around during shipping.
However:
My highest recommendation would be to just get a high quality MAGNUM custom built ATA hard shell case. They average $500 to $550 (for larger cases) and are well worth the extra costs to protect your instrument during shipping.
If you do not wish to purchase either an inexpensive or a custom made ATA case, then your next best choice would be to personally come out to my shop and pick your instrument up. This will not only save shipping charges, but will also allow me to do any minor changes you might want done to your instrument
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*The following hand select seasoned tonewoods are considered Exotics, and will carry an additional cost
*(depending upon availability)
Birds Eye Maple (for neck, finger board, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)Quilt Maple (for neck, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)Flame Maple (for neck, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)Spalted/Figured Maple (*ornamental, top and back body plates only, Macassar Ebony, (finger board and *ornamental wood only)Purpleheart (finger board and *ornamental wood only)Rosewood's [a wide variety] (finger board and ornamental wood only)Goncolo Alves (finger board and ornamental wood only)Bocote (finger board and *ornamental wood only)Cocobolo (finger board and *ornamental wood only)Bloodwood (finger board and *ornamental wood only)*What is "ornamental wood"?
These are woods that are often used as decorative enhancements on an instrument.
Examples are: pinstripes, tapered center stripes (as seen on the tops and backs of the Hollow model instruments), truss rod covers, control covers, tremolo covers, fingerboard binding, etc. etc...
You usually want these woods to be figured and/or colorful.
However, this is the "Custom Shop"; so any wood that may happen to be available can be used as ornamental wood. if you really want it!
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*The following hand select seasoned tonewoods may be used at no extra cost
*(depending upon availability)
Mahogany (used for body, neck, and top and back body plates only) Ash (for body and/or top and back body plates only) more than one species of Ash may be availableAlder (for body and top and back body plates only) Maple {Non figured} (for neck, fingerboard, top and back body plates only)Although I have found the above species of wood to be top quality for tone; other species may become standards in the future.
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