Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Custom(er) Designed electric guitar from Arcology Instrmnts?
Our custom(er) designed instrument is a guitar or bass that falls between a fully custom instrument and a mass-produced, off-the-shelf guitar. It offers a degree of customization and personalization while still adhering to certain pre-established design elements and manufacturing processes.
How much does an Arcology Instrmnts electric guitar or bass cost?
When you design your custom guitar or bass regardless of the options, the price is only $999.00 plus shipping ($99.00) and applicable tax.
How can Arcology Instrmnts price their Custom(er) Designed guitars for only $999.00?
We take great pride in our ability to develop high-quality products at affordable pricing. Through meticulous craftsmanship and strategic sourcing, we bring you custom electric guitars that rival high-end models without breaking the bank. We believe that every guitarist should have access to an instrument that inspires them to reach new heights in their musical journey.
How long does it take to build a custom electric guitar?
Once the manufacturing process starts, your Custom(er) Designed electric guitar or bass will be completed in 8-12 weeks. Due to supply chain issues, certain GOTOH bridges may take up to 6 months to be fabricated.
What is the difference between a single coil, a humbucker and a p90 pickup?
Single-Coil Pickups: Single-coil pickups are the most common type of pickup found in electric guitars. They consist of a single coil of wire wrapped around a magnet. Single-coils produce a bright, clear, and articulate tone with excellent note definition. They are known for their sparkling highs, tight lows, and a balanced midrange. Single-coil pickups are often associated with genres such as blues, country, and classic rock. However, they can be susceptible to picking up electromagnetic interference (hum) from electrical sources.
Humbuckers: Humbuckers, also known as dual-coil pickups, were developed to address the issue of hum that plagued single-coil pickups. They consist of two coils of wire wound in opposite directions, which cancels out the hum. Humbuckers have a thicker, warmer, and fuller sound compared to single-coils. They offer a higher output and a more pronounced midrange. Humbuckers are commonly associated with rock, metal, and jazz genres, providing a fat and powerful tone. They also have a characteristic smoothness and sustain. The added coil in humbuckers results in a slightly darker and less twangy sound compared to single-coils.
P90 Pickups: P90 pickups are a unique type of single-coil pickup that falls between a traditional single-coil and a humbucker in terms of sound and construction. They feature larger, wider coils compared to standard single-coils, providing a fuller and fatter tone. P90s offer a blend of clarity and warmth, with more midrange presence compared to traditional single-coils. They can deliver a punchy, gritty, and aggressive tone, making them well-suited for genres like blues, rock, and alternative music. P90s can exhibit a slight hum, but it is generally less pronounced than with traditional single-coil pickups.
What is the difference between a flamed maple neck and a solid rosewood neck?
The primary difference between a maple neck and a solid rosewood neck on an electric guitar lies in the wood type and its impact on the instrument's sound, feel, and aesthetics. Here are the key distinctions:
Flamed Maple Neck:
- Wood Characteristics: Maple is a dense, hardwood known for its bright tone and sustain. It usually has a light color with a distinct grain pattern.
- Sound Characteristics: Maple necks tend to enhance the guitar's overall brightness and clarity. They provide excellent note definition, a snappy attack, and a tight low-end response. Maple necks are often preferred for genres like country, pop, and styles requiring more articulation.
- Feel: Maple necks generally have a smooth and fast-playing surface due to their finish. Some players appreciate the slightly "slick" feel of a finished maple neck.
- Aesthetics: The light color and distinctive grain of maple can provide an attractive contrast to the guitar body, especially if it has a darker finish.
Solid Rosewood Neck:
- Wood Characteristics: Rosewood is a dense and oily wood known for its rich, warm tone and natural oil content. It typically has a dark brown color with a smooth grain pattern.
- Sound Characteristics: Solid rosewood necks contribute to a darker and warmer tone. They offer a pronounced low-end response, smooth midrange, and a slightly rolled-off treble. Rosewood necks are often favored for genres like jazz, blues, and styles requiring a warmer sound.
- Feel: Rosewood necks usually have a natural, unfinished feel, allowing the player to feel the wood's texture. Some players find this organic and comfortable to play.
- Aesthetics: The dark brown color and smooth grain of rosewood can provide an elegant and sophisticated look to the guitar, especially when paired with certain body finishes.
What is the difference between Nickel and Stainless frets?
The primary difference between nickel frets and stainless steel frets on an electric guitar lies in their composition, durability, feel, and how they can affect the tone. Here are the key distinctions:
Nickel Frets:
- Composition: Nickel frets are typically made from a nickel-silver alloy. They have a softer composition compared to stainless steel frets.
- Durability: Nickel frets are relatively softer and wear down over time, especially with heavy playing or frequent bending. They can develop indentations or wear grooves more easily, requiring eventual re-fretting.
- Feel: Nickel frets tend to have a smoother feel due to their softer composition. Some players prefer the slightly "softer" feel and the way the strings interact with the frets.
- Tone: Nickel frets can have a slight impact on the guitar's tone. They are known to add a touch of warmth and a hint of smoothness to the overall sound. However, the tonal difference is subtle and might not be noticeable to all players.
Stainless Steel Frets:
- Composition: Stainless steel frets are made from a harder stainless steel alloy. They are more resistant to wear and corrosion.
- Durability: Stainless steel frets are highly durable and resistant to wear. They are less prone to developing indentations or wear grooves, making them last longer before requiring re-fretting.
- Feel: Stainless steel frets tend to have a slightly firmer feel due to their harder composition. Some players appreciate the increased resistance and a more solid feel under their fingers.
- Tone: Stainless steel frets are generally considered to be more neutral in terms of tone. They do not have a significant impact on the guitar's overall sound, allowing the natural characteristics of the wood and pickups to shine through.
What is a 10"-14" compound radius C shape guitar neck?
A 10"-14" compound radius C-shaped guitar neck refers to a specific combination of neck characteristics commonly found on electric guitars. Let's break down each element:
- Compound Radius: The compound radius refers to the curvature of the fretboard from the nut to the higher frets. In this case, the compound radius starts with a flatter 10" radius near the nut (closer to a flat fretboard) and gradually becomes more rounded to a 14" radius as you move up the neck towards the higher frets. This design provides a compromise between a flatter radius for comfortable chord playing and a more rounded radius for easier bending and soloing in the upper register.
- C Shape: The "C" shape is a common neck profile that refers to the contour or cross-sectional shape of the back of the neck. It typically resembles the letter "C" and is known for its rounded profile. The C-shaped neck provides a comfortable grip and is often favored by players who prefer a classic or versatile feel.
So, a 10"-14" compound radius C-shaped guitar neck combines a fretboard with a gradually changing curvature (from 10" near the nut to 14" at the higher frets) and a rounded C-shaped profile on the back of the neck. This design aims to offer a balance of comfort, playability, and versatility for both chord-based playing and lead/solo work on the higher frets.
What are locking tuners on a guitar?
Locking tuners, also known as locking machine heads or locking tuning machines, are a type of tuning machine used on guitars. They are designed to enhance tuning stability and make string changes quicker and more efficient. Here's how they work:
Traditional tuning machines on guitars rely on winding the string around a post and then tightening it with the tuner button. However, this method can result in slippage and instability, leading to frequent retuning.
Locking tuners feature a mechanism that securely locks the string in place, eliminating the need for multiple windings around the tuning post. The typical design consists of a clamp or locking mechanism on the tuner post itself.
When restringing with locking tuners, the process involves inserting the string through the tuner post, pulling it tight, and then locking it in place using the locking mechanism. This mechanism usually involves tightening a small screw or flipping a lever to secure the string. Once locked, the string is held firmly and doesn't require multiple windings.
The benefits of locking tuners include:
- Improved Tuning Stability: Locking tuners reduce the likelihood of string slippage or unwinding, resulting in better overall tuning stability. The locked strings maintain tension and stay in tune for longer periods, even with aggressive playing or heavy tremolo use.
- Faster String Changes: With traditional tuners, removing and installing strings can be time-consuming. Locking tuners simplify the process by eliminating the need for multiple windings. String changes become faster and more efficient, allowing players to get back to playing quickly.
- Easier String Stretching: Locking tuners can assist in the stretching and settling of new strings. The locking mechanism ensures that the string remains taut during the initial stretch, helping the strings stabilize and hold tune more effectively.
What are GOTOH bridges for electric guitars and basses? and what are the advantages?
GOTOH bridges offer several advantages when installed on guitars or basses. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Enhanced Sustain: GOTOH bridges are known for their solid construction and high-quality materials, which contribute to improved sustain. The bridge efficiently transfers string vibrations to the body of the instrument, allowing notes to ring out with increased clarity and sustain.
- Superior Tuning Stability: GOTOH bridges are designed to provide excellent tuning stability, ensuring that your instrument stays in tune for extended periods. The bridges feature precise machining and adjustable saddles, allowing for accurate intonation and string height adjustments, which can help minimize tuning issues.
- Smooth Tremolo Action: GOTOH offers various tremolo bridge models that provide smooth and reliable tremolo operation. Whether it's a vintage-style tremolo or a double-locking system, GOTOH bridges are engineered to deliver consistent and precise tremolo action, allowing players to perform expressive pitch bends and dive bombs while maintaining tuning stability.
- High-Quality Construction: GOTOH is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. Their bridges are made from durable materials such as steel, brass, or zinc alloy, ensuring long-lasting performance and resistance to wear and tear. The precise machining and quality control processes employed by GOTOH result in reliable and dependable bridges.
- Improved Tone Transfer: The design and construction of GOTOH bridges facilitate optimal transfer of string vibrations to the instrument's body, leading to improved overall tone. The choice of materials and the bridge's contact points with the strings contribute to a more balanced and resonant sound, allowing for greater tonal expression.
Ultimately, installing a GOTOH bridge on your guitar or bass can enhance your instrument's overall performance, playability, and tone, providing a solid foundation for your playing and allowing for increased musical expression.
What is a Graphtec Nut?
- Material: Graphtech nuts are made from a synthetic material called TUSQ, which is a proprietary composite engineered to mimic the tonal properties of natural bone.
- Consistency: Graphtech nuts offer a consistent density and composition, as they are manufactured to precise specifications. This consistency ensures uniform string spacing and eliminates the inconsistencies that can be found in natural materials.
- Lubrication: Graphtech nuts have a built-in self-lubricating quality that helps to reduce friction at the contact points with the strings. This can contribute to improved tuning stability, smoother string bending, and reduced string binding in the nut slots.
- Tone: Graphtech nuts aim to provide a clear and balanced tone, similar to bone nuts. They are designed to enhance sustain and harmonics while maintaining a desirable amount of string resonance.
What kind of warranty or support is provided for custom electric guitars?
All products are covered by a 1-year warranty from the date of shipment against defects in materials or workmanship. Please note that the warranty does not cover issues resulting from improper use or normal wear and tear. Any warranty claims must be submitted in writing by the Buyer to Arcology Instrmnts LLC, within the warranty period. Please review our Warranty policy under our “Made To Order/Custom Order Terms and Conditions page.