Von Herndon Custom Gibson Scale Stratocasters:

If you need a beta tester for a prototype, you let me know. I got your back brutha Robert. We will let no guitar go untested.
 
If you need a beta tester for a prototype, you let me know. I got your back brutha Robert. We will let no guitar go untested.

Problem is, every time I let somebody play one of the triple-humbucker 24.7" scale Von Herndon's, they won't give it back....
 
Headstock shape confirmed and patent applied for. Now, it's off to the engineer to determine thickness and material required to withstand string tension...
 
How about building a rosewood Tele like George Harrison's. That would be the ticket!

george_harrison_rosewood_telecaster_1968_guitar.jpg



;>)/
 
I read all this and am floored at how one can get an idea, acquire all the info, parts, labor, patents etc and somehow get a guitar built clear across the ocean so fast, plus not to mention have the scratch to have these Asian builders undertake the projects.

Impressive, Robert.
 
I read all this and am floored at how one can get an idea, acquire all the info, parts, labor, patents etc and somehow get a guitar built clear across the ocean so fast, plus not to mention have the scratch to have these Asian builders undertake the projects.

Impressive, Robert.

Chili,

Most of these, my USA models, as I call them, I build here at home from Warmoth, Musikraft, Carvin, Schaller and Fender parts. I have been doing this here and there for people since 2010. Recently, I decided to build me my own guitar (after sending back the 2016 Gibson Gold Top) which was to be the ultimate studio session guitar - Strat-esque shape, triple humbuckers, 24.7" scale, block inlay, Floyd Rose and full tone controls. But each time I put one together, and let somebody play it, they insisted on buying it, so I was never able to see the project through to completion for myself.

Then, it dawned on me that maybe I was onto something....

Why not offer an imported, "Assembled in USA" version of the USA made custom models I built??? That led to discussion with fellow musicians and we arrived at the following conclusions. Every conversation kept coming back to producing a Tele-esque guitar with either twin or triple humbuckers, with a Les Paul-esque control layout, and available in both Hardtail and Floyd Rose models.

That's where the concept for the "StageCrafter" guitars came from - Twin Humbucker Tele-esque Style.

StageCrafter 1 - Hardtail - Twin Humbuckers - Les Paul Control Layout (shown with pre-production prototype Fender neck)

Stagecrafter 1.jpg

(I cannot tell you who I am building one of these USA versions for right now, as the deal is protected by a non-disclosure agreement, but the artist is widely known in country music circles)


StageCrafter 2 - Floyd Rose equipped - Twin Humbucker - Conventional style controls (shown with pre-production prototype Fender neck)

Stagecrafter 2.jpg

StageCrafter Custom - Triple Humbucker - 24.75" scale - Hardtail or Floyd Rose (prototype not yet completed) with 'Triple-Tone' controls.

Von Herndon Stagecrafter Custom.jpg

So "Von Herndon" (the olde family name from centuries old genealogy records) "StageCrafter" and the "Great White" headstock are now in Patent Applied For status #87481615.

My original design - a Strat-esque triple humbucker, 24.7" scale, block inlay, Floyd Rose equipped guitar is now officially known as the "SessionCrafter" because it was the only designation that was not currently protected. It is shown here as a generic rendering in the original 'StudioCaster' designation.

THE VON HERNDON  STUDIOCASTER DATA SHEET.jpg

For me, it's a lot of fun too....I am really enjoying this venture.
 
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Robert, when I first saw your drawing of the Headstock design, my first thought was to tell you to pull all photo evidence of it till you got it protected by patent. Then you beat me to the punch about the patent process.

Did you get my pics on the texts I sent?
Gonna get off here awhile.
 
Robert, when I first saw your drawing of the Headstock design, my first thought was to tell you to pull all photo evidence of it till you got it protected by patent. Then you beat me to the punch about the patent process.

Did you get my pics on the texts I sent?
Gonna get off here awhile.

Haven't checked my phone for messages this morning...been on the phone with our contractor - It's currently 12:18pm Monday morning in Shandong right now....
 
Robert, when I first saw your drawing of the Headstock design, my first thought was to tell you to pull all photo evidence of it till you got it protected by patent. Then you beat me to the punch about the patent process.

Did you get my pics on the texts I sent?
Gonna get off here awhile.

Patent Applied For... :-)

Von Herndon Headstock Patent Applied For Drawing.png
 
All I really wanted was one guitar that offered me the best of both a Stratocaster and a Les Paul, with full shielding, in a single package.

I never imagined others would want the same thing.

If I never sell a single guitar on the Internet - if the import line never takes off - just the "USA Customs" that I am building here at my workshop - from Warmoth and Musikraft parts - with nothing more than word of mouth advertising - are keeping me happily busy and enjoying myself.
 
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