Design
The sky's the limit. If you can dream it, we will figure out how to make it. From complex to simple, we would love to work with you until you have the design you are after.
  • Carved hardwood designs
  • Inlayed woods, metals and mother of pearl
  • Inlayed and carved hardwoods
Body Construction
There are several options that all have an effect on the overall tone and feel of the guitar. We use only the best woods so their influence on the sound is fully realized.
  • One piece solid body
  • Two piece laminate solid body- we recommend a mahogany body with a book-matched maple top resulting in rich, warm and resonant lows paired with extra clarity, definition and bite.
  • Multilayered laminate solid body (hippie sandwich)- From 5 to 9 layers. We can add a few thin layers of ebony, purple heart or vermilion to enhance the sustain. These bodies can be rather heavy, but do have a very full and rich sound.
  • Weight relief bodies- in the core of the body there are multiple small sections removed which gives the guitar a lighter feel, but you still benefit from the tone of the laminated woods.
  • Chambered body- large sections of the core are removed giving it an even lighter feel and much woodier earthy tone.
Neck construction
The woods used and the method for attaching the neck to the body have the largest effect on the tone transfer, sustain and feel of the guitar.
  • Bolt-on neck
  • Set Neck (glued neck joint)- we offer two variations:
       1. Standard- the neck joint runs through the body to the end of the neck pickup. This method enhances tone transfer, sustain and stability.
      2. Deep Tenon- the neck joint runs through the body to the end of the bridge pickup or to the end of the bridge. We feel that this method give the best results for enhanced tone transfer, sustain and stability.

Neck Laminates
 We can make a neck from a single piece of wood or laminate up to 7 layers. The single piece would be much more flexible, but as you add layers you gain the personality of each wood tone and enhance sustain and strength. We recommend adding at least one or two extra layers of a dense wood like ebony or purpleheart to enhance the sustain.

Neck Woods
Just to name a few:
  • Maples for extremely bright, precise tone with tight lows.
  • Mahogany for warm tone with good presence in the lower mids.
  • Ebony (laminate) for tightness, clarity and sustain.
  • Pau Ferro for clarity, definition, complex highs and chunky lows.
Scale Length
The length of the scale greatly effects the tone of the guitar and the tension on the strings.
  • 25 1/2"- a rich, strong, bell-like tone with a well defined low end.
  • 25"- somewhere in the middle of the other two scales. The bass strings are fuller sounding than the 24 3/4" scale. The treble strings are not only easier to bend than the 25 1/2" scale, but also have a warmer and fuller tone.
  • 24 3/4" or 24 9/16"- lower tension, easier to play feel, warm tones.
Fret Board Radius
It really is a matter of preference. A flatter fret board (12") is better for single notes and bending strings while the more curved fret board (7 1/4") is better for chords.
  • 12" (Gibson)
  • 10" (Floyd Rose)
  • 9 1/2" (Newer Fender)
  • 7 1/4" ( Older Fender)
Frets
  • 22 or 24 frets
  • Any type or gauge fret you would like.
Fret Board Inlays
We can do complex full fret board inlay, smaller inlays located at the appropriate fret locations or simple dots if that is what you like. The fret board radius does have an impact on the inlay. We cannot do complex full fret board inlays on the 9 1/2" & 7 1/4" radius.

Electronics
From soapbars to humbuckers, coil tapping to switch phasing, passive or active, on-board pre-amps to on-board effects loops. If you want it, we will squeeze it in there.

We look forward to working with you and can't wait to see this project unfold. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

John Hudgel
​Hudge Studios
Cottage Grove Oregon
​216-301-6826