Custom guitar build checklist

If you already own a guitar with a neck you love, include its make, model and year when you ask about a custom build. Tell me what you want to keep and what you’d change. That gives us something specific to work from before we start choosing parts.

You don’t need a finished spec sheet to get in touch. These are the details worth thinking through.

Tuning and strings

Start with your usual tuning and string gauge. Mention any alternate tunings you use, especially if you switch during a set. Those choices affect the setup and can change which bridge makes sense.

A floating tremolo balances string tension against spring tension. Changing the pitch of one string changes that balance, so moving between standard tuning and drop D needs some planning. We should settle that before choosing hardware.

Neck feel

Terms like “medium C” leave plenty of room for interpretation. Neck depth at the first and twelfth frets helps describe the shape, but the shoulders matter too. Two necks with the same depth can feel quite different in your hand.

Include what you know about your reference guitar’s nut width, fret size and fretboard radius. If you don’t have those measurements, send the model details. Describe anything that bothers you, such as the outer strings sitting too close to the fretboard edge or bends choking out higher up the neck.

Bridge and controls

Tell me how you use the tremolo, if you use one. A fixed bridge, a conventional tremolo and a Floyd Rose involve different setup and string-changing routines. Your choice should account for the way you play and how much adjustment you want to do yourself.

For pickups, include your amp or modeler and the sounds you use most. Specific pickup models are helpful if you’ve tried them. Recordings can also help explain what you’re after, though a recording includes much more than the guitar and its pickups.

Think through the controls you actually want within reach. A humbucker coil split and series/parallel switching do different things. If you’re unsure which you need, describe the change in sound you’re trying to get. We can work out the wiring from there. If It Weren’t for Huff #1022 is one example of a build with individual series/parallel switches; that guitar had passive controls and no midboost.

Weight, finish and fit

If weight is a concern, give me a target or a guitar you’re comfortable playing for a full set. Balance on a strap matters as well as the number on a scale. Mention the body contours you like and how much access you need to the upper frets.

Send finish references and explain which details matter: the color, the amount of wear, or the feel of the neck finish. For the MJT x JTal Crosswired Series, MJT supplies the finished bodies. The individual build specifications will identify the components used.

Budget and timing

Include your budget and any date you’re working toward. The parts, work involved and current schedule determine the quote and lead time. A particular finish or component may affect both.

JTal custom orders begin with a rough estimate, followed by a final estimate if you want to proceed. A 50% deposit is due before work begins, with the remaining 50% due at shipping. You’ll receive photos and updates during the build. The custom guitar ordering page covers the process.

What to send

• Your reference guitar and what you like or would change about it.
• Tuning, string gauge and any alternate tunings.
• Neck preferences and measurements, if you have them.
• Bridge choice, pickup ideas and the controls you want.
• Finish references and any weight or balance concerns.
• Budget and timing.

Email those details to john@jtalguitars.com. Leave anything you’re still deciding marked as an open question.

I’ve also covered Floyd Rose setup and the locking-nut fix for a sitar-like buzz.