Shortscale Guitar Dressing Room (feat DanHeron)

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:00 pm

Finally read to page 16. I'm ready to contribute however I can, I can do most of the required tasks on Photoshop (or Paint Shop Pro as I prefer to use

).

First thing I've noticed is, and no offence is intended here James, but the sunburst could be improved upon. Firstly it changes the body shape, but it's also inconsistent around the edges. I'm not sure how you did it, but I think it'd be easier to get a perfect version using a natural wood base and adding the "burst" independently, kinda how Kisekae probably models their bursts. I don't suppose we're wood nazis enough on here for the natural to matter, but if we use an ash base, that can both act as our "natural" finish and as the underlay in all the burst colours. I'll see what I can do now, that is of course if I'm welcome to.

My next plan of action would then to be to work on the pickguards. Again, there are size inconsistencies. Photo realism is awesome, but you can't beat a vector, and if all the pickguards are based around a consistent vector outline which can be black, white or invisible, then all the pickguards are going to look ace.

James · Post by **James** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:02 pm

Go ahead.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:04 pm

You should probably bolt the neck on the sodding Malikcaster first though...

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:09 pm

Don't get me wrong, I don't know what I'm getting myself into. I've not done anything exactly like this so far, but I'm hoping I can do something good. I really don't want to come across pretentious, but I think we're all on the same page here, we want this to be awesome. It's going to be rocking when it's done.

Would it be a problem if I work at the "stretched" size? I can't find a full base image to work from.

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:34 pm

Here's a work in progress of what I'm doing:

I started off using a screenshot from the flash player, and a big picture of some ash grain. I've basically just used layers of gaussian blur around the edges to create the perfectly even burst effect. Obviously I have a lot of tweaking to do before I get the colours looking realistic, but the point is, this is the easiest way to get a perfect burst vector style.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:35 pm

The black section is way too thick.

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:39 pm

Mike wrote:The black section is way too thick.

I know, that was attempt A at my cheat-burst, and it worked. Using pictures now to get better results.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:40 pm

I'm just doing your thing of nitpicking stuff that isn't finished.

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:51 pm

James wrote:Quote and edit this list with any details you have.

Finished

Finishes
Sunburst

I wanted to improve on it before it got too late. I think I know how James achieved his burst, and I've been down that road before and it's real hard to get consistent results. This is a technique I've used in various different photoshops and I think it seems smart to bring it to the table. I don't think anyone involved wants to tread on feet here. If another person came along and did the improvement I'm trying to make better than I can, then so be it. At the end of the day, we all want to make this awesome, right?

By no means finished, but I think this one is more accurate to how a Mustang-burst looks. I'll finish things tomorrow, probably make the outer burst even thinner and develop the colours some more. There's a nasty side effect to my layer duplication, and that's a faint line at the edge of my bursts which I'll deal with.

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:52 pm

I think yours looks much worse.

luke · Post by **luke** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:56 pm

Mike wrote:I think yours looks much worse.

It's an example of what I can do. If I combine mine with James', you'll get that photorealism in the centre, but also a more consistent burst around the edge and I've got a layer that can deal with the fact that his outside edges are too big, James admitted himself he rushed this bit. I don't get why I'm the only person who merits negative feedback, considering a LOT of people have got involved so far, interestingly enough bar yourself. That's not a dig, I just want to help, y'know?

Post by **Mike** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 11:57 pm

I already said at the start I don't have photoshop skills. I did however champion the idea as a shortscale project.

I think what I'm trying to say is:

Screw the neck on the Malikcaster you useless bastard.

luke · Post by **luke** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:05 am

Mike wrote:I already said at the start I don't have photoshop skills. I did however champion the idea as a shortscale project.

I think what I'm trying to say is:

Screw the neck on the Malikcaster you useless bastard.

And what makes you think that it isn't already screwed on, and I just haven't got round to posting about it because I want to get some decent photographs and videos before I be a cocktease about it? Presume the worst in me you always do...

Anyway, your destructive criticism has led me to stop playing with my less authentic version and just sort the edges on James':

I swear 99% of photoshops involve going in a huge circle ending up at the simple thing you did at the start.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:06 am

I will do some dmore when im les pissed, lines would be all wobbly now.

I jus wants to make a salute to DANHERON for being an AWESOME NOOB.
He paid me propmtly for the powerdrive with no bullshit and now THIS.

<3.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:11 am

I think the final product being as good as it can be is more important than a few bruised egos. If I submit an image and someone thinks they can improve it, or do a better version otherwise, they're more than welcome to do it and submit that as a replacement. I've been trying to push that idea and to get more people involved with it. I'm even happy with people just saying "thats a little off. I don't have the photoshop skills to fix it myself but it needs...". I might not necessarily agree, but the more opinions the better.

I did the sunburst using an actual mustang sunburst. It isn't perfect but I put it in the finished list just to have something there when I set the list up, and because I assumed no one was going to step up and do anything better. As it is I don't think your vector burst looks very good but if you can make one that looks like a Mustang burst and looks better than the one I did, I'm more than happy for you to do so.

The potential for argument is mostly in the deciding which image to use, but that will mostly come down to popular opinion and the decision of Dan.

I spent quite a lot of time doing the images that I have put up so far, but I'd be perfectlty happy if none of them got used if the end result was a better product. I think everyone will agree that the Kisakae and Offest versions are great but could be improved upon. We have the oppurtunity to make those improvements, and do it for something as sexy as a Mustang. The potential for this project to be as good as we hope it will be leaves no room for ego.

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 12:16 am

new swf file? plz?

rodvonbon · Post by **rodvonbon** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:07 am

Here are a shit ton of pickguards. They should drop right into the project. I used the pickguard in the sample picture as a template. Also all of the images are from pickguard manufaturers website samples *except for the Union Jack*.
THIS is the photoshop template I made and can be used for creating others.

► Show Spoiler

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:13 am

Amazing. Excellent work.

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:34 am

Ok, the sunburst thing - I actually really like the one we have. I think it might need cutting the same as the vector shape, but thats a 2 min photoshop job. Also, there are a few different types of sunburst on the list, 2 colour burst, Tobacco burst, brown burst, so having 2 doesnt matter - could use both.

Those pickguards look amazing! will add them tomorow. Personally I think there is enough there already but if anyone wants to add anymore - feel free. Use them as a template for the shape.

Erm, also, how is it for size? I have a widescreen monitor set at 1400x900 and so I have space at the edges to add more buttons/items. But i dunno how it is on a non-widescreen monitor.

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 2:45 am

Might aswell do this...

Finished
Knobs
Bronco (not been put on yet though)

Bridges
Mustang
Relic Mustang
DuoSonic RI
Vintage Duo
Floyd Rose gold
Floyd Rose chrome
Stop tail

Headstocks
Large Fender style maple
Large Fender style matching

Decals

Pickups
Hot rails single - bridge and neck
White single - bridge and neck
off white single - bridge and neck
even dirtier white single - bridge and neck
black single - bridge and neck
(all above with polls showing)

chrome P90 hum size - bridge n neck

Pickguards
Pearl
Tort 1
tort 2
black paisley

Finishes
Sunburst - 00
cherry burst - 31
natural - 21
blue sparkle - 13
butterscotch blonde- 50

Fretboards
maple
rosewood
maple w/ black binding
rosewood w/ white binding

Inlays/binding
black blocks
peark blocks
black dots

Tuners
White button
chrome

Other
comp stripes - loads of solid colors. could do with sparkle finishes maybe.

This is what i have put on it , there is more stuff finished which i have not yet put on - will do it tomorow. 02:45am here.. night.