So, should I go pro ?
Closing in on another custom build (a bass this time) for a client who engaged me on commision. That was a first time for me. Sold two other customs I put together but these were advertised completed items and not custom build requests from a client and thus built to order.
I knew I was good at something, why'd it have to be something that is almost impossible to make a living from ? Just dumb luck I guess.
Past builds :
This one is my bling queen and not for sale, although lots of people have tried to get me to sell it.
Some 40 years ago when I was a band leader, I built this to be my back up to my main guitar ... but it soon became my main guitar, which I later sold. The blonde one was my main guitar, which I modded, the blue one is the one I made including a hand made neck.
Name your band Sooner™ than Later
This is my brand :
Prototype (first one I ever made before I had my own decals) ... I have decals now, and use serial numbers.
No it's my stupid Aussie humour. All my builds are based on the Fender neck/body shape because I really like it the best and it's super popular. What do we call a fender in Oz ? We call it a mudguard.
Mudguard is better than Wings. I like them. I say go for it and advertise your skills.
Are you doing them from wood yourself or using blanks(lul) to form them out? I did woodworking for a very well known guitar company (not fender) for a bit and was surprised at how many corners they cut and lack of quality wood they used, among other things. I generally sway towards fender styles as well, even when it comes to amps. I’ve got way too many guitars as it is but one of the few outside the fender styles that I’ve always craved was an SG.
There was a 70 sg special for sale here for ~1500. I should have bought it but I already have two.
And for myself, I would answer that question with a no... Tbh I think there is more money in, say, making body and neck blanks if you have access to wood.
Well, you can always try. If you build a name for yourself, customs are sold for nice amounts of money.
@Blankssaidin@BlanksAre you doing them from wood yourself or using blanks(lul) to form them out? I did woodworking for a very well known guitar company (not fender) for a bit and was surprised at how many corners they cut and lack of quality wood they used, among other things. I generally sway towards fender styles as well, even when it comes to amps. I’ve got way too many guitars as it is but one of the few outside the fender styles that I’ve always craved was an SG.
I'm not carving the bodies or necks myself, I don't have the facilities for that. It's much easier for me to use raw blanks that are already carved. I do all the finishing/staining/torching (a new technique I'm trialing) and hand rub the finish, including the clear/sealer. You can see on two of those "strats" I used vintage style jazzmaster necks that I refinished but left the Jazzmaster factory decals on because I like the "wtf ?" it gets when punters see "Jazzmaster" on a Stratocaster guitar. That Oz sense of humour again. :)
Wait until I get this Jazz Bass done and post pictures, it's a much more complex stain job being applied to it than the simple ones I did before. Possible exception was the sunburst on that tobacco job, but this new Bass I'm doing has raised and enhanced grain which that tobacco sunburst did not.
I also like the SG (Gibson) style because it's almost a Gibson "Fender" ... ie: single slab of wood rather than the more intricate Les Paul manner of construction with tops and backs and sides all glued together.
@Wingmannsaidin@WingmannWell, you can always try. If you build a name for yourself, customs are sold for nice amounts of money.
Yeah I don't know what's at stake by trying but you know how to make a nice product that people want and, since you've made a bunch already I'm assuming you enjoy it. A creative job that you can work your own hours sounds great to me.
@Hogsaidin@Hog@Wingmann said in So, should I go pro ?:
Yeah I don't know what's at stake by trying but you know how to make a nice product that people want and, since you've made a bunch already I'm assuming you enjoy it. A creative job that you can work your own hours sounds great to me.
I'd have to sell 2 a week to make a decent living.I'm an optimist but I can't see that happening for some time, if ever.
@DOCsaidin@DOC@Hog said in So, should I go pro ?:
I'd have to sell 2 a week to make a decent living.I'm an optimist but I can't see that happening for some time, if ever.
With that attitude you’ll never sell anything.
@DOCsaidin@DOC@Hog said in So, should I go pro ?:
I'd have to sell 2 a week to make a decent living.I'm an optimist but I can't see that happening for some time, if ever.
How many hours does it take to make each one?
Lithu dude, it helps if you know what yer talkin about. 2 a week is let's say, 100 guitars a year. You obviously know nothing about what it takes to get to that level. Working alone without a workshop I could maintain that level, but in my present state, getting there is like climbing to the moon on a step ladder. Doesn't mean I'll stop making guitars, it means realistically, I won't be making a living from it. I'll be doing more after the one I'm on is complete, but without pre-paid commission, it's a struggle just buying the materials.
@Kilemallsaidin@Kilemall@DOC said in So, should I go pro ?:
How many hours does it take to make each one?
Working full time I could do 2 a week. So, about 3 days. Drying time is the killer on the multi colour jobs. 24 hours for each colour, usually there are 2 but sometimes there are 3.
Hmm ok, so building your brand amongst people who can pay. Judging from just casuals like Tigger, should be able to service collectors and musicians and gifting.
I'm sure there are online communities you can find to build that up, although I expect some makers would already be there jealously guarding their honey holes.
Best advertisement is to get a respected musician playing these guitars in concert and get buzz going. Don't know what your options are there.
I'd be leery of posting youtubes in the early going. I think the psychology would be of you being an artist and not a sellout.
An Etsy store might cover both the online sales portion and the casual gifting. Associated with art, large enough to get exposure and known location and serendipitous sales, small enough to not have punitive profit taking like ebay or Amazon.
Oh and you might talk to Gavalink on OOT. NawLeans musician, should be hooked into the mindset and market of at least that town and perhaps have other ideas we wouldn't.
Aren't there instrument fairs/exhibitions and the like? Good idea to see what's been done before so you can ramp up and exhibit when they return. Sort of business that almost has to be hands on.