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While the new stratheads are way cool stuff, I need a Floyd and multiple pickup layout. So, rather than whining about this not being offered yet nor being allowed to otherwise custom order the same, I’m going to try a positive route and attempt organizing a proposal for a limited run with these popular specs.
Don’t say it! …I know, I know. Many such limited run efforts have failed. More than likely, this one will, too. And, even if it works, FMIC may still not allow it anyway. …But it’s worth trying anyway, isn’t it? If we can pull together at least ten - hopefully more - locked-in orders, they’re likely to give it more serious consideration. So, here goes...
This limited Charvel strathead run would be as close to the new Retro models’ specs as possible. This will help to achieve the following goals:
- Keep the price as reasonable as possible, thereby attracting more potential buyers.
- Hit the most popular specs and limit the number of options to be decided, thereby increasing the chances of reaching a consensus. (Ex. ruling out graphics up-front to help meet both these and the price goals.)
- By making the specs as close as possible to an existing limited run model, hopefully we’ll increase the chances that FMIC and J/C will accept the proposal.
That means the guitar will absolutely have the following specs:
Alder strat body
22 fret maple / maple oiled strathead neck, with skunk stripe
Non-recessed Original Floyd Rose
Multiple pickup layout
Solid or transparent finish
In hopes of pulling together a dedicated group of enthusiasts, this effort is going to take a different approach. The guitar’s OTHER specs will be decided BY MAJORITY VOTE of the buyers. That’s right: YOU choose the specs collectively. One man, one vote. But you must COMMIT – up front, before the specs are chosen – that, no matter how much you may not like what’s ultimately chosen by the group, you still buy the guitar NO MATTER WHAT. i.e., You must be flexible in what you can live with AND you are locked-in on day one NO MATTER WHAT. If you attempt to bail after the fact, everyone else in the group would be screwed by your actions, and you’ll be forever be forced to wear a scarlet “D”, for douche. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Within EACH SPEC, you will be given five or less choices to vote on via e-mail. Those choices will only include:
- Type of finish – solid or transparent
- If a transparent finish, the type of figured top
- Color
- Pickup arrangement (H-H, H-S-S, etc.)
- Pickup make and models
- Hardware color
- Knob and switch layout
- Choice of dealer to run this through
Ex. The first finish question will be solid or transparent. Then color range - red, blue, green, yellow, etc. Then specific color within the range. And so on.
Those options will gradually get narrowed down and chosen over several days. If, for any given spec, a clear majority winner doesn’t emerge, a run-off vote of the two or three most popular choices will happen. Results will be made public to all in the group via e-mail, so everyone will be given full knowledge of each decision involved as items are determined by the group. That format also means that once we have enough participants, all discussions about the project stay off the JCF and CC Boards.
To be safe, participants should expect – and be capable of – paying at a level equivalent to the Retros’ pricing ($2999 list) PLUS the custom options. Conservatively, that means you should assume you pay somewhere in the ballpark of $2,000 to $2,500 for a well-optioned axe. That’s only an educated guess. Maybe more, maybe less. And, as is typically standard for advance orders, assume that a 50% deposit will be due to the dealer if and when the order is accepted. That could be as soon as, say, three or four weeks, with the balance on shipment. Again, erring on the side of caution. Without knowing who the dealer is yet and what the guitars’ specs will be, it’s impossible to be more specific right now. (…BTW, I’m not going to waste a dealer’s time until we can get the group’s participants locked in and the specs agreed to.)
If we can get enough determined, dedicated people involved - we’ll spec out a killer custom strathead Charvel! And you just KNOW you were looking for something to do with that big tax refund anyway, weren’t you? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] …So, any takers? Who wants in?
(Please, the only topic for this thread is gauging response for those willing to committ under these terms and who have the funds to do it. If you are in, say so and leave an e-mail address. That’s all. Don’t post and tell me I’m crazy, and it’ll never work. I already know that. [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] But I’m going to try anyway. And don’t post suggestions or questions. We’ll sort those out later.)
Thanks for reading through all of this!
[ January 25, 2004, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: shreddermon ]
Don’t say it! …I know, I know. Many such limited run efforts have failed. More than likely, this one will, too. And, even if it works, FMIC may still not allow it anyway. …But it’s worth trying anyway, isn’t it? If we can pull together at least ten - hopefully more - locked-in orders, they’re likely to give it more serious consideration. So, here goes...
This limited Charvel strathead run would be as close to the new Retro models’ specs as possible. This will help to achieve the following goals:
- Keep the price as reasonable as possible, thereby attracting more potential buyers.
- Hit the most popular specs and limit the number of options to be decided, thereby increasing the chances of reaching a consensus. (Ex. ruling out graphics up-front to help meet both these and the price goals.)
- By making the specs as close as possible to an existing limited run model, hopefully we’ll increase the chances that FMIC and J/C will accept the proposal.
That means the guitar will absolutely have the following specs:
Alder strat body
22 fret maple / maple oiled strathead neck, with skunk stripe
Non-recessed Original Floyd Rose
Multiple pickup layout
Solid or transparent finish
In hopes of pulling together a dedicated group of enthusiasts, this effort is going to take a different approach. The guitar’s OTHER specs will be decided BY MAJORITY VOTE of the buyers. That’s right: YOU choose the specs collectively. One man, one vote. But you must COMMIT – up front, before the specs are chosen – that, no matter how much you may not like what’s ultimately chosen by the group, you still buy the guitar NO MATTER WHAT. i.e., You must be flexible in what you can live with AND you are locked-in on day one NO MATTER WHAT. If you attempt to bail after the fact, everyone else in the group would be screwed by your actions, and you’ll be forever be forced to wear a scarlet “D”, for douche. [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Within EACH SPEC, you will be given five or less choices to vote on via e-mail. Those choices will only include:
- Type of finish – solid or transparent
- If a transparent finish, the type of figured top
- Color
- Pickup arrangement (H-H, H-S-S, etc.)
- Pickup make and models
- Hardware color
- Knob and switch layout
- Choice of dealer to run this through
Ex. The first finish question will be solid or transparent. Then color range - red, blue, green, yellow, etc. Then specific color within the range. And so on.
Those options will gradually get narrowed down and chosen over several days. If, for any given spec, a clear majority winner doesn’t emerge, a run-off vote of the two or three most popular choices will happen. Results will be made public to all in the group via e-mail, so everyone will be given full knowledge of each decision involved as items are determined by the group. That format also means that once we have enough participants, all discussions about the project stay off the JCF and CC Boards.
To be safe, participants should expect – and be capable of – paying at a level equivalent to the Retros’ pricing ($2999 list) PLUS the custom options. Conservatively, that means you should assume you pay somewhere in the ballpark of $2,000 to $2,500 for a well-optioned axe. That’s only an educated guess. Maybe more, maybe less. And, as is typically standard for advance orders, assume that a 50% deposit will be due to the dealer if and when the order is accepted. That could be as soon as, say, three or four weeks, with the balance on shipment. Again, erring on the side of caution. Without knowing who the dealer is yet and what the guitars’ specs will be, it’s impossible to be more specific right now. (…BTW, I’m not going to waste a dealer’s time until we can get the group’s participants locked in and the specs agreed to.)
If we can get enough determined, dedicated people involved - we’ll spec out a killer custom strathead Charvel! And you just KNOW you were looking for something to do with that big tax refund anyway, weren’t you? [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] …So, any takers? Who wants in?
(Please, the only topic for this thread is gauging response for those willing to committ under these terms and who have the funds to do it. If you are in, say so and leave an e-mail address. That’s all. Don’t post and tell me I’m crazy, and it’ll never work. I already know that. [img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] But I’m going to try anyway. And don’t post suggestions or questions. We’ll sort those out later.)
Thanks for reading through all of this!
[ January 25, 2004, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: shreddermon ]
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