So finally I can introduce my first Amfisound project. There will be a website featuring the guitar in detail later on so for now just some main things...
The idea was to bring the original Holmes black Rhoads back to life. I didn't want this to be just another replica that's almost right. I wanted this to be as close as humanly possible to the original. Not just looks but the feel and sound also. Only thing that I speced differently was the Routa headstock with custom Amfisound logo. Why? - Because this is an Amfisound guitar not a Jackson.
I researched the specs of the original the best I could. My RR0849 was also used as a reference by Tomi as well as a late 1983 Rhoads Custom owned by Juha (Thanks!). Even though I had a truckload of pics, YG gear reports etc. the task would not have been possible without the help of someone who has seen and held the guitar in person. A friend from US named Dave visited Chrises place in 2007 and sent me some close-up pics.
Getting some of the parts together was also hard. Dave from www.fretsonthenet.com helped with the bridge and getting the correct tuners, Joel Drabicki helped with the ivoroid binding (You won't believe how hard that was to find!!!) and Ebay helped with the knob and pickup (period correct Duncan DDJ actually). Thanks bros!
Tomi Korkalainen made the guitar from start to finish by hand much in the same manner as Jackson staff back in the mid 80s. Each inlay was done separately to match closeup pics, bindings over frets were cut etc. There was a lot of special details on this one although the guitar looks so simple at first glance.
Some of the important specs were the small control cavity and reverse Strat style input jack. I also didn't want any truss rod cover. The original had one from the factory but it was never on when Chris used the guitar. Tomi suggested making the screw holes though but you can go too far with these things.
I visited the Amfisound Custom Shop at least monthly to check on progress and approve phases. We were also in constant contact via email and phone. It was an awesome experience to deal with guys who are so into their work, care about their customers and are so amazingly talented. It's unbelieavable what these guys can do.
When I went to pick up the guitar I had RR0849 with me. What was funny is that this guitar sounded pretty much the same. Tomi and I were all smiles when we struck an E chord at the same time on both guitars. Mission accomplished.
Enough talk - here are some pics. Better ones coming when there is some light in Finland again.
Tomi and me at the "factory" the day I got the guitar...
I don't think any other guitar manufacturer could have pulled this off. Needless to say I highly recommend getting in touch with Amfisound Custom Shop if you want to get your dream guitar made.
I talked with Chris on the phone about this project and he was very happy about it.
Check out more info at www.diceoffate.com!
The idea was to bring the original Holmes black Rhoads back to life. I didn't want this to be just another replica that's almost right. I wanted this to be as close as humanly possible to the original. Not just looks but the feel and sound also. Only thing that I speced differently was the Routa headstock with custom Amfisound logo. Why? - Because this is an Amfisound guitar not a Jackson.
I researched the specs of the original the best I could. My RR0849 was also used as a reference by Tomi as well as a late 1983 Rhoads Custom owned by Juha (Thanks!). Even though I had a truckload of pics, YG gear reports etc. the task would not have been possible without the help of someone who has seen and held the guitar in person. A friend from US named Dave visited Chrises place in 2007 and sent me some close-up pics.
Getting some of the parts together was also hard. Dave from www.fretsonthenet.com helped with the bridge and getting the correct tuners, Joel Drabicki helped with the ivoroid binding (You won't believe how hard that was to find!!!) and Ebay helped with the knob and pickup (period correct Duncan DDJ actually). Thanks bros!
Tomi Korkalainen made the guitar from start to finish by hand much in the same manner as Jackson staff back in the mid 80s. Each inlay was done separately to match closeup pics, bindings over frets were cut etc. There was a lot of special details on this one although the guitar looks so simple at first glance.
Some of the important specs were the small control cavity and reverse Strat style input jack. I also didn't want any truss rod cover. The original had one from the factory but it was never on when Chris used the guitar. Tomi suggested making the screw holes though but you can go too far with these things.
I visited the Amfisound Custom Shop at least monthly to check on progress and approve phases. We were also in constant contact via email and phone. It was an awesome experience to deal with guys who are so into their work, care about their customers and are so amazingly talented. It's unbelieavable what these guys can do.
When I went to pick up the guitar I had RR0849 with me. What was funny is that this guitar sounded pretty much the same. Tomi and I were all smiles when we struck an E chord at the same time on both guitars. Mission accomplished.
Enough talk - here are some pics. Better ones coming when there is some light in Finland again.
Tomi and me at the "factory" the day I got the guitar...
I don't think any other guitar manufacturer could have pulled this off. Needless to say I highly recommend getting in touch with Amfisound Custom Shop if you want to get your dream guitar made.
I talked with Chris on the phone about this project and he was very happy about it.
Check out more info at www.diceoffate.com!
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