'Custom' Ibanez

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

I'm kinda new here (actually I was here LOOONG ago as Ibaman) and I have returned because I have a few questions.

My question copied and posted from the JP forums-

A guitar 'project' I am considering. I want to have a custom Ibanez, except they don't have a custom shop. It's basically a JEM without the single coil, a swirl finish (to my specs) some kind of custom inlays I haven't decided on yet (possibly the DNA inlays) a lot of stuff that glows in the dark (the pickguard, side dots, front dots, headstock logo, and possibly 1 of the colors in the swirl) colored volume and tone knobs, colored pickups, colored switch head, a JEM body with monkey grip, AANJ, EXACT replication of Ibanez Wizard neck, and either black or the cosmo black (kind of a black matte) hardware. SOOO...

What's the best way to go about getting this? Should I just get GMW Guitarworks to make the entire thing for me or send it to different places listed on JEMSite? I need some advice.

My other post-

I have looked at all the links before and the ones that looked important to me were-
About Time Designs
EKG
Fede
Universal Jems

And from Pauly, Custom Guitar Wares.

A few questions-
Does anybody know who has the better swirls, Custom Guitar Wares or Fede?

I'm leaning toward doing a Fede Custom Shop/EKG guitar with a swirl finish. Can they make the clear pickguard, the side dots, the logo (Ibenez, cheesy look alike signature), and the front dots and/or custom inlay illuminant like on the VAI2KDNA? Can they make an exact replication of an Ibanez wizard neck and AANJ and Ibanez headstock and any inlay I want? And also, where could I get colored vol/tone knobs? And yet ANOTHER question, can they get an Ibanez Lo Pro Edge tremolo or is a Floyd Rose Low Pro basically the same thing? AND FINALLY (yes believe it or not) could they do the 'cosmo black' hardware like on some Ibanez's? It's kind of a matte black. I think that's it...I'm looking for everything just like an Ibanez down to EVERYTHING...even the tilted jack input. So right now it looks like it's Fede/EKG or GMW Guitarworks.

Advice/answers to my million questions?

I was hoping that many of you Ibanez junkies here could help me out. It's basically a 'custom' VAI2KDNA with my personal mods (because I don't wanna spend $4500 on one) and so I was thinking the Fede/EKG option or a completely made in one package GWM Guitarworks guitar. However I dunno if they can do that.

I have said enough, you are tired of reading, please help me out and thank you in advance (maybe Rich can help me out here).

[Rich]

Not to take away from any of our luthier sponsors, but there's a DNAesque body on ebay right now.

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

I just looked it up. It is a Herc Fede; one of the options I am considering. So Rich, any advice?

[Rich]

Nope, no "advice", just knew where there was a starting point Actually it's not bad for Herc, and I'm not particularly fond of his swirls since I'm a purist, but there apears to be some transparency to the colors. I know GMW is pretty high priced and I've never seen one of their customs in person so I really can't coment.

[darren wilson]

Why not start by emailing all the vendors and asking for quotes based on your specs? That'd be my starting point once i'd settled on my specs.

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

Thanks for the help. I'll try that and see how it goes.

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

Another question for Rich-

I know you own some VAI2KDNA's with the 'Lizard' effect to them. Do you know what causes this strange color with the swirls over it? Because I must say it looks pretty damn cool.

[Rich]

I've heard it 2 different ways from the guys that know, but if I told ya, well, you know how that sentance get's finished

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

Aw damn, why can't ya tell me?

[Rich]

Because it was tiold to me in confidance, and I respect that confidance.

[littlegreenman]

CGW doesn't do swirls, ATD and Herc are the only 2 swirl artists. As for the rest of the work, I would personally recommend EKG for the body. When it comes to inlays, well, you never listed my name up there so I guess ya didn't like me LOL. at any rate, as for the neck, if you just want an AANJ wizard neck, it'd be cheaper to just buy one and have the inlays you want done put into that neck. CGW can build you an exact neck, and I believe EKG is nearing the point to be ready to build necks as well.

Good luck

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

Actually, I was considering LGM to do a recreation of the glow in the dark DNA inlay because I really like it and it's better than just having dots or something.

Are you from LGM...?

[Lurch]

Very similiar to what you're talking about. I put an add in the Classifieds, because one thing I've learned from building old muscle-cars is that most of the time it's cheaper to buy one already done than to build the whole thing from the ground up. You usually have to sacrifice a couple things that aren't exactly the way you want them, but give-and-take. I'm thinking now that getting a Jem7VWH as a starting point/parts-guitar may be the way to go. (I wish the hardware wasn't Gold for my project though)

What exactly were you talking about 'lizard effect'. I've looked at several DNA's on the web, don't really know what you mean though.

I've seen Jem colored pick-up bobin covers and knobs on Ebay before. I haven't ever seen the special irredescent clear pickgaurds anywhere, only the regular clear ones. (probably impossible to get)

Please keep me posted to what you find out about parts and custom work and I'll do the same for you. You hit the nail on the head when you said you wouldn't pay $4500 for a 'real' DNA- It'd be a shame to even play one or risk damaging it because of how rare and awesome they are.

[foureyezonme]

Shredder...

Little Green Man = LGM.

And sod that - if I was going to pay $4500 for a guitar, I'd make sure it earned its pay-cheque! No guitar of mine will EVER rest in a cabinet!

Nick

[Shredder stuck in the 80s]

Okokokok...

How does this sound?

EKG/Fede/AND LGM are all connected. So, I could get EKG to make me a JEM Style body and a neck, have LGM add custom inlays to the neck, and have Fede (or ATD) do the swirl. Then have a luther add colored DiMarzios and all the other hardware. Sound like a good plan?