Spike- wrote:
Not a fan of those ugly PRS-style headstocks but other than that it isn't too bad.
"Not too bad" is not too helpful as a critique, being very vague. But Eden is 100% right--attractive headstocks are a bear to design, and even among current production guitars and basses, most are at best inoffensive and some obviously "forced" and/or just plain ugly.
I think you might have tried to hard to make a unique design rather than going for form and function.
"Unique design" is a relative term. A guitar is, above all, a tool whose form is subject to the limits dictated by its function. Possibly you're referring to creating a unique, never-before-seen, headturning shape. The vast majority of guitars and basses that are created with their primary criteria being "unique", in fact, turn out ugly and/or dysfunctional. Guitar design is, by nature, somewhat derivative. That's why, when we see a classic, we know it. It's also why there are so very few classic electric guitar and bass designs.
More of an 'art project' if you will than a guitar i'd actaully want to play.
You just contradicted yourself, Erik...is it "going for form and function" or "an art project"? "Art project" implies that form and function were secondary, art being more of a personal expression than anything with practical considerations. An ideal design would combine personal interpretation of the form, in a way that supports the function, and do it in a visually appealing manner. Add to this the very rare circumstance of a guitar design being so "right" that it never seems to age, and you've got a true classic. I'm not saying that Eden's is any kind of "classic" but it's an appealing effort. I just imagined it in a three-tone sunburst finish, and it would be absolutely stunning; the pale silver-blue metallic is a somewhat weak color choice.
Of course, the thing about that is, you can always make new designs. From a craftsmenship standpoint its great, so you can always make more and try out other ideas.
Agreed on this--except I'd clarify by separating the thing itself from the act of creation: "Design" is both a noun and a verb, and greatly misused in both forms. So, a person would "create" a design, and then a craftsman would "build" it to the designer's description, whether it be verbal, written, or drawn.
The last sentence simply re-states the obvious. And I do hope Eden keeps on with this pursuit. It takes a lot of organization, skill, and patience, not to mention no small amount of knowledge and craft experience, to construct a playable guitar from scratch. To do one to your own design is no mean accomplishment.
Your turn to build and post, Erik!
