New Build - Nuno N4 Inspired

[Radiohead]

Hey all, I just finished a new build and I thought I would share. My inspiration for the build was the N4 Nuno Bettencourt Signature model from Washburn. I choose Padauk wood with Tung Oil finish for the look and the tone. The pickups are a Bill Lawrence and SD 59. I was going for a more modern style by extending the lower heel and shortening the upper area around the arm rest. The body cuts are fairly aggressive and I used ferrules at attach the neck. The neck is purchased form Musikraft (BE Maple Neck with Ebony Board, 12 - 16 radius with Jumbo frets). I would love to try building a neck, but I fear I am still a bit ill equipped in the skill, knowledge and tools area to take on a complex neck. I created the veneer and mounted the padauk on the headstock to achieve the overall look I was going for. Plays and feels great. My only issue is that I am not in love with the Bill Lawrence pickup. Just not my thing, I find it mays my tube amps sound a little thin? May be it would sound better with a high gain solid state amp but again, not my thing. I already dropped in a JB I had laying around I like it way better. I am going to research and explore a few difference pick up options. So far I am considering a set of Evolutions, some Bare Knuckles or a set of Surh's. If you have any suggestions for the pick ups or any comments please share. Radiohead

[VitaminG]

looks good, man.

Didn't go the push/pull pot & toggle like the Nuno?

[vector]

Had a badass, rare (at that time) black N4 and loved that ax. However, I eventually sold it because it had only 22 frets. Yours goes the full 24. Bravo! Nice job!

[Radiohead]

Thanks for the Props.

I debated putting a 3 way on the lower horn, but I finally decided it would get in the way. I have started using the EVH Bourns pots and really like them, so I stuck a 5 way mega switch in there for coil tapping instead of a push/pull. I am of course also partial to Jackson's so the body shape is kind of a modified dinky shape. I am loving the neck. It's super shred and Musikraft did an exceptional job as always.

The tone is so much better with the JB IMO. Anyway, if someone wants a slightly used Bill Lawrence just PM me.

[Trem]

Love that! Turned out great! Like it better than Nunos. Brass Block too, nice.
Stoked to see yours as the body shape is similar to what i am hoping to build here by this summer.

Not to exciting but i just like a basic strat style guitar with a bit of an offset like that of some of my favorites
from the 80's, Hamer, Washburn, Aria Pro, ect. I am a sucker for pickguards too, i just like the look.
I'm boring, i like black, black guitars, black cars, black cloths, black walls, black windows, lol.
A guitar could have the finest AAAA flame whatever, and it's cool and all to look at,... if it's for someone else... but i honestly just want black, lol.
Plus, i don't really want something so ornate that i don't want to touch it, lol. Just a player to last me a long time, the guitar i've never been able to buy anywhere.

Going to have to build the neck as well ( yeah that part is a little nerve wracking ), but i want to shape the neck by my own hand so it's exactly what i'm after.
Painting it i'm more nervous about.
The main thing different about it that i can't find anywhere off the shelf is a little bit more narrow neck E to E, with R2 nut and Floyd Rose Pro for narrow string spacing. 10-12" compound fretboard,
Huge railroad tie 6100 stainless steel frets and a thick 'ish' neck. The knobs and switch just where i want them (actually pretty close to Ibanez Rg style) and i'm golden.

Here's a mockup for my own visual reference, same angled rear offset body , and slightly stretched butt with a shorter open lower horn for more clearance.
I've got the actual scale blueprints all drawn up for it, and am always staring at them. It's drawn as a bolt on as well with the same heel you have,
but i have been debating make it a neck thru. Still up in the air on that. Anyway seeing yours just makes the anticipation much worse, thanks a lot

[Radiohead]

Trem, that mock up is excellent, Cool as hell . What are your wood and PU's choices? I think I like building them as much as playing... If you get a little wary of building the neck yourself, I found your specs on musikraft.com. I believe your choices are available from the drop down menu's.

Head Stock Orientation: Right for Right Handed Players Scale: 25-1/2" Standard Fender Number of Frets: 24 With FB Extenion Nut Width: 1-5/8" (R2) Heel Width: Standard Fender 2-3/16" Neck Wood: Quarter Sawn Maple + $65 Finger Board Wood: Indian Rwd Tuner Hole Size: Gotoh/Scaller/Sperzel 10 mm Trussrod Option: Duel Acting Adjust at Head Finger Board Radius: Compound 10-12 + $25 Finger Board Style: Slab Style (.25" Thick) Finger Board Inlay Top: White Mother of Pearl + $15 Finger Board Inlay Side Markers: White MOP +$5 12th Dot Spacing: Narrow Post 1964 Fret Size and Type: Jumbo 6100 .110 X .055 Nut Style: Floyd W/O Holes +$20 Back Profile Thickness @ the 1st and 12th Fret: Thin D .75 to .81 Custom Up-Charges: None Nut Installation Option: NONE No Nut Installed Finish: Tung Oil + $35 Additional Options: Semi Rolled Finger Board Edges Shipping Option/Delivery Signature Required: Signature Required (NO) . Total: $360.00 Expensive yes - But great quality.