Von Herndon Custom Gibson Scale Stratocasters:
- Thread starter Inspector #20
- Start date
OP
Thank you, Bro...I'm really excited to see this coming together. I appreciate your kindness....
OP
You can just send that red one up to me for disposal
I think 13 year old Natalie has kind of attached herself to this one. She says it looks good next to her red Strat...
RVA
Ambassador
Nice work Robert! Congrats!
RVA
Ambassador
who is WTI?Thank you, Bro...I'm really excited to see this coming together. I appreciate your kindness....
OP
OP
New headstock design requires a square one redesign of the logo to match the headstock radius....
This is evolving....
First draft for placement only....I don't like this font.
This is evolving....
First draft for placement only....I don't like this font.
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OP
Getting better....
OP
Dudes and Distinguished Dudettes,
I really enjoy sharing my progress with you guys. This thread is only for sharing. I do not market my guitars for sale here. I don't even have a website (although we own the domain name www.VonHerndon.com) and I don't have any plans to mass produce anything. All my clients are locals and all my advertising is word of mouth at present. However, it has been really fun to design a headstock, create model names and be a part of creating something that, just a few months ago, was nothing more than a sketch on a scrap of paper and a concept for the Von Herndon tradename:
Final graphic pen sketch of the modified Von Herndon "Shark Nose" headstock, prior to 'tweaks" by our engineeer, Jamie Unden - trademark(s) applied for #87490239 & #87481615.
The original logo concept, prepared by Jean Gaudet in January, 2017
So here's my latest project updates...
StageCrafter Number 12 is the first guitar to have our own trademarked headstock. neck production will begin next week..... The first 3 StageCrafters are being given to 3 high profile artists.
My very first guitar - serial number VHO-0001, my own personal build and the very first prototype, used a standard Strat headstock with a unique Von Herndon logo designed to fit that shape - Number 1 is the ONLY guitar to have a Von Herndon headstock decal. Number 2 through number 9 had blank headstocks and were built for local clients, mostly studio musicians.
Initially, I planned to only build this one guitar, for myself, so I named it a "StudioCaster" (much like Matthias Jab's "MasterCasters") with no intention of ever applying for a trademark. However, once completed, a local musician played it and did not want to return it, so it is currently on loan to him until I finish his own custom model.
Eventually, it became clear that I needed to design my own headstock to avoid any trademark infringement, and "StudioCaster" was found to be in use by another company, hence the "SessionCrafter" and "StageCrafter" designations were created.
My goal was not to reinvent the wheel - that would be foolish - my plans from inception was simply to combine the very best attributes of Fender (the comfortable Strat & Tele body shapes, six-in-a-row tuning keys, straight string path) with the best attributes of Gibson (dual or triple humbuckers, the 24.75" scale length and 12" fretboard radius) all with quality shielding, and quiet electronics...a guitar that would be at home, right off the hangar, in any recording studio environment with absolutely NO modifications.
I have posted a few photos here and there, but my Son (and Von Herndon webmaster) wants to keep the photos minimized until we get our own headstocks up and in production.
I wish ALL of you the very best in everything you do....
I really enjoy sharing my progress with you guys. This thread is only for sharing. I do not market my guitars for sale here. I don't even have a website (although we own the domain name www.VonHerndon.com) and I don't have any plans to mass produce anything. All my clients are locals and all my advertising is word of mouth at present. However, it has been really fun to design a headstock, create model names and be a part of creating something that, just a few months ago, was nothing more than a sketch on a scrap of paper and a concept for the Von Herndon tradename:
Final graphic pen sketch of the modified Von Herndon "Shark Nose" headstock, prior to 'tweaks" by our engineeer, Jamie Unden - trademark(s) applied for #87490239 & #87481615.
The original logo concept, prepared by Jean Gaudet in January, 2017
So here's my latest project updates...
StageCrafter Number 12 is the first guitar to have our own trademarked headstock. neck production will begin next week.....
The first 3 StageCrafters are being given to 3 high profile artists.My very first guitar - serial number VHO-0001, my own personal build and the very first prototype, used a standard Strat headstock with a unique Von Herndon logo designed to fit that shape - Number 1 is the ONLY guitar to have a Von Herndon headstock decal. Number 2 through number 9 had blank headstocks and were built for local clients, mostly studio musicians.
Initially, I planned to only build this one guitar, for myself, so I named it a "StudioCaster" (much like Matthias Jab's "MasterCasters") with no intention of ever applying for a trademark. However, once completed, a local musician played it and did not want to return it, so it is currently on loan to him until I finish his own custom model.
Eventually, it became clear that I needed to design my own headstock to avoid any trademark infringement, and "StudioCaster" was found to be in use by another company, hence the "SessionCrafter" and "StageCrafter" designations were created.
My goal was not to reinvent the wheel - that would be foolish - my plans from inception was simply to combine the very best attributes of Fender (the comfortable Strat & Tele body shapes, six-in-a-row tuning keys, straight string path) with the best attributes of Gibson (dual or triple humbuckers, the 24.75" scale length and 12" fretboard radius) all with quality shielding, and quiet electronics...a guitar that would be at home, right off the hangar, in any recording studio environment with absolutely NO modifications.
I have posted a few photos here and there, but my Son (and Von Herndon webmaster) wants to keep the photos minimized until we get our own headstocks up and in production.
I wish ALL of you the very best in everything you do....
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OP
A comparison of the Fender and Von Herndon headstock designs. Not sure how this will work in a standard Stratocaster case just yet...
OP
Production begins on Number 12....first one with the new headstock...
OP
OP
Out of everyone that I have met and worked with on these guitar projects, B. Hefner in Whittier, California, really is the most awesome of them all. They can handle and do anything - from first cuts of wood - to a completed guitar, custom designs or special finishes, you name it, they do it all in-house...
B. Hefner Company, Custom Guitar and Bass Bodies and Necks, Licensed by Fender
B. Hefner Company, Custom Guitar and Bass Bodies and Necks, Licensed by Fender
OP
As some of you remember, we only recently came out with out our own unique Von Herndon headstock. Previously, I was using licensed Fender headstock necks from B. Hefner, Warmoth and Musikraft. My Son is in charge of all the photos of this project and when the website is finally unveiled, there will be a "vault" section, showing the early prototype models. Here is close up of the lettering on Von Herndon Studiocaster #1 (VHO-0001) with a custom 24.75" scale length (1950's 'U' Profile) neck with ebony 12" fretboard by B. Hefner. I have since started using Musikraft for the bolt-on style necks, as they are considerably less expensive than B. Hefner here in California and their production time for a custom "conversion scale" neck is much faster too.
However, B. Hefner quality is excellent in every respect. I guess you could say, this is the guitar that started it all for me and launched me into making my own way.
"Number 1" is currently "on loan" to a fellow musician until I complete his custom project. I plan on keeping this one for myself, but may change to one of our own Von Herndon headstock necks once I get it back...
However, B. Hefner quality is excellent in every respect. I guess you could say, this is the guitar that started it all for me and launched me into making my own way.
"Number 1" is currently "on loan" to a fellow musician until I complete his custom project. I plan on keeping this one for myself, but may change to one of our own Von Herndon headstock necks once I get it back...
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OP
Finally... the 2mm thick, gold plated brass humbucker trim rings... thin enough to work on a humbucker equipped Stratocaster.
OP
A pic of "StudioCaster Number One" from a few months back. This was the very first 24.75" scale - 12" radius Strat-style guitar - 4 months before our own custom headstock design was finished and even before the "Triple-humbucker" concept was put to paper.
This was built from a mahogany body and neck by B. Hefner. The ebony board is grade 3A with pearloid block inlay and fret over binding.
The body is a 60's style (with all the contours) and a standard 2 humbucker rout. Since an existing B. Hefner body was used, it has the deep "hole" under the Floyd that I don't really care for.
Currently out on loan to a local guitarist, it will return in a couple of weeks, as I almost have his custom model completed...he's been holding it hostage...
This was built from a mahogany body and neck by B. Hefner. The ebony board is grade 3A with pearloid block inlay and fret over binding.
The body is a 60's style (with all the contours) and a standard 2 humbucker rout. Since an existing B. Hefner body was used, it has the deep "hole" under the Floyd that I don't really care for.
Currently out on loan to a local guitarist, it will return in a couple of weeks, as I almost have his custom model completed...he's been holding it hostage...
OP
I really dig black & gold....Goldmember would approve!!!! LOL
ultra-thin trim rings...gold plated brass
Gold plated brass knobs with pearloid inserts to match the inlay....
ultra-thin trim rings...gold plated brassGold plated brass knobs with pearloid inserts to match the inlay....