HiStrung Guitars
Moderated By: mods
HiStrung Guitars
I saw these at NAMM this year. They're 14" to 16" scale models of the originals. Looking at around $3K for one of these. I thought the detail was awesome on these.
Hey, guys, just wanted to set the record straight with regard to these guitars. These are not “scale models�, as duosonic stated. They are octave guitars…very serious, playable guitars that are tuned a full octave higher than standard tuning (with perfect intonation, I might add). With a scale length of 14.7� for the flametop guitars (which sell for $2800), and 15.5� for the juniors ($2000), they are about the same size and scale length as a mandolin. The necks are full width and depth, and feel just like that of a ’59 Les Paul. The popularity of these guitars is growing tremendously, mostly with serious musicians looking for a different sound, but with a familiar instrument.
To give you an idea as to the sound and versatility of these little guys, here are some sound clips done in the studio by Matte Henderson:
http://www.mattemusic.com/octavelp.mp3
http://www.mattemusic.com/introw8velt.mp3
And here’s a YouTube video of someone shredding on one of them in my booth at NAMM (note that he had never played one of these before):
And with regard to the price, believe it or not, I’m losing money on these guitars currently…and likely will be, until I can get some CNC operations integrated into the production process. These are 100% hand made here in the U.S. And every bit as much effort goes into making these guitars as with a full size guitar…possibly more.
And while you would think that the material costs would be much less, think again. I use nothing but premium materials, including Honduras Mahogany for the back and necks, Eastern Maple for the tops and (currently) Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboards. The blanks required for these are just slightly smaller than full size, so I end up having to buy full size blanks for them. Fingerboard inlays are made of vintage correct (as in vintage Les Pauls) cellulose nitrate, with MOP headstock inlays for the standard models.
I use nothing but the best hardware for these guitars, including Faber and Pigtail bridges and tailpieces, high-end Tonepros Kluson tuners and custom wound pickups. Even the pickup rings I use are an upgrade to what Gibson uses on their high end Historic guitars. And how ‘bout a custom made case by Cedar Creek?
I thank duosonic for posting these pics, and for his kind words. As to the haters, I like to think that the hating is based on a misunderstanding of what these guitars actually are, and that you might feel a bit differently with some facts.
Now, if you really want to see some “scale models�, check out some of my half size builds, that were meant purely for display (and the pleasure of making them). These were made in exacting detail to ’59 Les Paul specs, including all the internal routes. And check out all the metal and plastic hardware that were a lot of fun to try and produce in miniature form. I think my favorite, though, is the case. I had never attempted to build a case before this, and there’s very little info available on how to do so, so this was somewhat of a challenge (and fun). Again, note all the hardware that I had to make in miniature.
Frank
To give you an idea as to the sound and versatility of these little guys, here are some sound clips done in the studio by Matte Henderson:
http://www.mattemusic.com/octavelp.mp3
http://www.mattemusic.com/introw8velt.mp3
And here’s a YouTube video of someone shredding on one of them in my booth at NAMM (note that he had never played one of these before):
And with regard to the price, believe it or not, I’m losing money on these guitars currently…and likely will be, until I can get some CNC operations integrated into the production process. These are 100% hand made here in the U.S. And every bit as much effort goes into making these guitars as with a full size guitar…possibly more.
And while you would think that the material costs would be much less, think again. I use nothing but premium materials, including Honduras Mahogany for the back and necks, Eastern Maple for the tops and (currently) Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboards. The blanks required for these are just slightly smaller than full size, so I end up having to buy full size blanks for them. Fingerboard inlays are made of vintage correct (as in vintage Les Pauls) cellulose nitrate, with MOP headstock inlays for the standard models.
I use nothing but the best hardware for these guitars, including Faber and Pigtail bridges and tailpieces, high-end Tonepros Kluson tuners and custom wound pickups. Even the pickup rings I use are an upgrade to what Gibson uses on their high end Historic guitars. And how ‘bout a custom made case by Cedar Creek?
I thank duosonic for posting these pics, and for his kind words. As to the haters, I like to think that the hating is based on a misunderstanding of what these guitars actually are, and that you might feel a bit differently with some facts.
Now, if you really want to see some “scale models�, check out some of my half size builds, that were meant purely for display (and the pleasure of making them). These were made in exacting detail to ’59 Les Paul specs, including all the internal routes. And check out all the metal and plastic hardware that were a lot of fun to try and produce in miniature form. I think my favorite, though, is the case. I had never attempted to build a case before this, and there’s very little info available on how to do so, so this was somewhat of a challenge (and fun). Again, note all the hardware that I had to make in miniature.
Frank
Joking aside they seem very well made but that's got to be some sort of niche market at that price.Not too distant future thread on TGP wrote:My daughter is just coming up to six and has started playing the recorder. I'm looking to buy her her first guitar as a surprise for her birthday. I'm not sure if she'd get on better with the flametop or junior model. What do you guys recommend?
Shabba.
Thanks James and benecol. And James, you're absolutely right with regard to it being a niche market. Up until a few years ago, I didn't know what the heck an octave guitar was...until I was approached by a well respected session musician who needed a high quality octave, and couldn't find one. Since then, I've received requests from over 100 people for these things, without advertising. And now I can't keep up with demand. Many of the people contacting me are session musicians, many are people who are just looking for something unique to play and/or want a cool travel type of guitar, and there are quite a few Les Paul collectors too who just love the novelty of these things. And there are those who want to use them for Nashville tuning types of sounds.
Well, I'll shut up for now. I don't want to come across as a spammer. My sole intent in entering this discussion was to try and clear up any misconceptions there may be about these guitars.
Frank
Well, I'll shut up for now. I don't want to come across as a spammer. My sole intent in entering this discussion was to try and clear up any misconceptions there may be about these guitars.
Frank
Thanks, cooterfinger. Unfortunately, I didn't do any kind of build thread on the Juniors, just this thread over at the MLP forum when I was almost done with my prototype: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthier ... unior.html
I did some more extensive build threads when I was building my "Standard" models, but the above is all I had for the Juniors.
And again, just to clarify, I built the case for my half size mini LP, but for the octave guitars, I had the pros at Cedar Creek do a run of these for me. The setup, tooling and mold cost for that alone, I believe was over $2,000.
Frank
I did some more extensive build threads when I was building my "Standard" models, but the above is all I had for the Juniors.
And again, just to clarify, I built the case for my half size mini LP, but for the octave guitars, I had the pros at Cedar Creek do a run of these for me. The setup, tooling and mold cost for that alone, I believe was over $2,000.
Frank
No problem, gaybear. The pics in the OP do make these guitars look tiny.
Here's a pic showing how the size of the octave junior compares to my vintage '59 Junior. The body is the same thickness, the body length and width of mine are a little over 80% that of its big brother, the headstock is pretty much the same size, and the neck width and depth are identical. It's mostly the shortened neck and fingerboard that gives it its small appearance.
Frank
Here's a pic showing how the size of the octave junior compares to my vintage '59 Junior. The body is the same thickness, the body length and width of mine are a little over 80% that of its big brother, the headstock is pretty much the same size, and the neck width and depth are identical. It's mostly the shortened neck and fingerboard that gives it its small appearance.
Frank
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hotrodperlmutter
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Looks like you did an ace job on the half size case. I'll check out the threads. Thanks.pinefd wrote:Thanks, cooterfinger. Unfortunately, I didn't do any kind of build thread on the Juniors, just this thread over at the MLP forum when I was almost done with my prototype: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthier ... unior.html
I did some more extensive build threads when I was building my "Standard" models, but the above is all I had for the Juniors.
And again, just to clarify, I built the case for my half size mini LP, but for the octave guitars, I had the pros at Cedar Creek do a run of these for me. The setup, tooling and mold cost for that alone, I believe was over $2,000.
Frank
Smells like Rock n' Roll
I don't think anyone here considers it spamming and it's nice to have someone explain the background a little. We occasionally have people stop by in a similar way and talk about/defend their products. Often they can be quite aggressive and it's nice to see someone be polite and open about it.pinefd wrote:Well, I'll shut up for now. I don't want to come across as a spammer. My sole intent in entering this discussion was to try and clear up any misconceptions there may be about these guitars.
Frank
The TV yellow junior really does look class.
Shabba.
Thanks again, James. And Ben...speaking of endorsements...here's another video taken at my booth at NAMM. Here's one of many videos I took of Scotti Hill from the heavy metal band "Skid Row", who stopped by and noodled on this thing for hours over the course of the weekend. He's now on my waiting list for one.
Frank
Frank
