Von Herndon Custom Gibson Scale Stratocasters:

On the shady side of the mountain, which rarely sees sunlight, the snow lingers for weeks and weeks...this balcony is 40 feet off the Forrest floor...

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Made more progress on the headstock today. The design has evolved from the original graphic pen sketch shown below:

VON HERNDON GUITAR HEADSTOCK DESIGN SKETCH.png

Here are the basic changes made to the original sketch to correct the scale issues and adjust for a nut width of 43mm. Even with these changes, we maintained the unique features of the trademarked design:

VON HERNDON GUITAR HEADSTOCK TUNERS ADDED.png

Which necessitated the use of a mini tuner. Gotoh Oval Knob 6-In-Line Tuners
Item # 0915 were chosen for the job, from a size standpoint anyways, but it appears they are only available in chrome:

Gotoh_Oval_Knob_6-In-Line_Tuners.gif

So, now my search begins for a tuner in this size configuration, but with a Gold finish. I found these Gotho-Schallers from Stewie-Mac...but I am concerned about the larger paddles:

Gotoh_Schaller-style_Knob_Individual_Tuners.gif

Still a few details that must be worked out...
 
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Robert Herndon said:
... we maintained the unique features of the trademarked design:
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So, your trademark application was approved?

Robert Herndon said:
...but I am concerned about the larger paddles:
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I would be, too. Even with smaller knobs (paddles), there is a potential ergonomic issue if they are positioned too close together. It can be easy to bump one knob, while you're attempting to adjust another. This would be particularly true of people with larger fingers.
 
smitty_p said:
So, your trademark application was approved?
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Provisionally - but final approval can take up to one year. I need to move forward with this and complete my existing orders, so we are going to build under 'PAF' status for now.


smitty_p said:
I would be, too. Even with smaller knobs (paddles), there is a potential ergonomic issue if they are positioned too close together. It can be easy to bump one knob, while you're attempting to adjust another. This would be particularly true of people with larger fingers.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing, but after taking some measurements of my 1987 Squire Stratocaster, its not as close as it looks on paper.

The upper, descending angle is the same as Fender's, so tuner post spacing with a 43mm nut is very nearly the same.....But, its evolving daily.
 
I think the keystone-style paddles might me a good addition, considering their higher and more narrow profile...
 
Already, the Floyd Rose neck and the standard nut neck require separate drawings. Also, the different heels required between Strat-esque and Tele-style bodies requires some design deviations too.

Its too confusing to super-impose all the variations on one drawing.
 
Just a side note, notwithstanding all the CITES regulations regarding the import and export of Rosewood, the higher quality rosewood bodies are not cheap.

Screenshot_2017-06-27-15-48-26.png

I do, however, really like B.Hefner's mahogany Strat shaped bodies. Lots of options and close enough for will-call pickup...
 
I suppose Warmoth could be considered a leader in wood guitar products. My first few custom builds were based on Warmoth bodies.

Then I discovered B.Hefner in Whittier, CA.

Their bodies are even better than Warmoth, in my opinion. They offer a tremendous list of options and they are so close to me, I can just drive down and pick up my orders.

The quality of their woodworking and finish work is second to none. The facility is indeed impressive.

If you want something strange, like a George Harrison style Rosewood/Maple sandwich Telecaster body, this is the place to go.

Check them out.... :-)

B. Hefner Company, Custom Guitar and Bass Bodies and Necks, Licensed by Fender
 
First peek at the 24.75" scale neck plans with our unique (PAF) headstock:

Von Herndon Neck Plans - 2.png

Known as "The Log," this neck features a 'straight' profile - 1.00" thick at 1st & 12th frets - thicker than the original Fender 'U' profile
and thicker than the 50's rounded profile on both my 2016 Gibson SG and 2016 Gibson Les Paul 50's Tribute. The nut width on this
variant is 43mm with a 'R3' Floyd Rose Locking Nut and 12" fretboard radius...
 
This week I stopped by the local Luthier and started taking some "lessons" from him. I'm interested in learning about setting necks, getting angles right, binding, etc.

Its intimidating!!!

But my new project idea is a rear routed, set neck, 24.75" scale Tele-style with twin humbuckers, so it would require a great deal more work, than the simple bolt-on neck Tele-style guitars.

I had one prototype built and its a very good looking guitar, but a very expensive one to produce.
 
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JohnnyGoo said:
Buy the Irwin clamps with the rubber pads.They have like squeeze tighteners system on the clamp,Works slick for glueing set necks.
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My wife suggested we buy an X-Carve and start doing our own bodies and necks, including refinish, but that involves EPA and CITES verifications....not sure I want go go there....YET.
 
So, the drawing for the neck still isn't 100% complete, but we have made good progress this week.

The first prototype "TwinBucker" neck-through Tele-shaped guitar arrived. Although we still dont have our own headstock or tradename on them, it allows me to evaluate production quality.

Built by WMI, it's a nice looking piece. Very nice work...and we have even been in discussions with an American builder who can do the basic build and finish, so we receive the guitars and install electronics and do final setup here.

Swing Guitars in Korea may end up building our raw necks for us...with the custom headstock...

Von Herndon TwinBucker 1.jpg Von Herndon TwinBucker 2.jpg
 
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