Well I FINALLY got it!!! I got the contract and signed it (as fast as I got it!) lol and am now endorsed by Ibanez!!! WooHoo!!!!! Its the biggest endorsement for me. I am excited as all get out and am proud to be able have a company like Ibanez associated with me and my music.
So maybe you guys could help me out in figuring what guitar I should have custom made? I love the JEM (obviously) but I want a guitar of my own identity. So I figured a RG shape body. I am thinking though of the 2 HUM config with the push/pull volume and tone knobs like the JS... Alder body... trying to think of a cool paint job. I know Dave and Rob have some cool custom paint jobs.... Suggestions?
First off, congrats! As far as suggestions... how about this:
Pickup your favorite guitar and make a note of every major facet:
Body wood/shape
Neck wood/profile
Fretboard wood
Fretsize
Pickup config
Control knob/switch(es) layout and position
Construction technique (bolt on, set neck, or neck thru)
Bridge (fixed, locking trem, or non locking trem)
Tuners
-----
After you do that, pick up your second (and then your 3rd if you have another) favorite and repeat. Write the answers down of course.
You'll probably have the basics of your custom laid out in less than an hour by doing this.
-----
Then the fun will REALLY begin:
which pickups
possibly try a different control(s)/switch(es) layout (like Rob does, I've played a couple of his customs)
color
maybe use some exotic wood for looks
headstock orientation (EVERYONE that knows me know how I'd order mine) No confused smiley from this one--you already know whether it'll be regular or reversed I'm sure
Very cool man! Hope to see you onboard soon then!! And wow... a sunburst with neon colors... I NEVER thought of that! I wonder what it would look like!!!
Actually I dont consider myself any better than anyone else. ESPECIALLY when you have aliens out there like Dave Martone! lol If you have not heard of him you HAVE to go to his website www.davemartone.com He is INCREDIBLE and has some amazing players doing guest appearances on his next album. His fulltime drummer is the drummer from Nickelback.
I just love what I do and have ALLOT of fun doing it. Finally being a full time musician is reward enough but endorsements like this just make it all the more incredible!!
Sometimes a company will approach you. I only ever had this happen one time and that was when I had my endorsement through Peavey. Aside from that I have had to contact each company and send them press kits and whatnot. They usually want an 8x10, bio, current CD, a show schedule, and a copy of any reviews you have received.
In the case of my thing with Marshall, I was looking to buy a new amp and the music store I worked at called them and told them about what I was up to and mentioned the magazine I write for. I get Marshall gear for wholesale price. Marshall is famous for not giving free amps to endorsers - legend has it that the only person to ever get a free amp was Slash, and even Zakk Wylde and Kerry King have to pay wholesale for their signature amps.
I'm working on some stuff with an Aussie producer who lives in the US and has worked with some huge names in the 70s and 80s. In combination with the magazine column and stuff like that, I'm hoping it gives me enough of a profile to get an endorsement with Ibanez. A rep from the local distributor said he'd try to get me some clinics but the opportunity to actually do it hasn't come up yet.
+1 on the neon sunburst idea... BUT, I reckon if you can get it, 2 different types of flamed top (half and half), each half painted with different but complimentary transparent colours...
Hey RIKK, its just awesome!
congratz!
please, make some LACS RG with maple board, blue DiMarzios and maple board, just like a BFP kinda stuff. And a 7 string version too!!!
Keep it up and enjoy!
Rikk that is is AWSOME! Congrats man. You're taking some giant steps there. Happy for ya.
As for the custom guitar, I like the push pull knob idea similar to the JS. Tough decision what to do for paint and style. I hope you have some time to think about it. Look forward to seeing you continue on your journey.
How about something like an RG-ART but with your own graphic stained into the flamed maple top. Your own 12th fret 'RB' or something similar marker. And of couse a heavily figured maple fingerboard!
hmmm what PUPs you using lately? hows about a AirZone AirNorton combo?
Yeah its a tough one guys. I still need to talk to Rob to even find out what I can have done in the Custom Shop. I mean can I get LED's like what Christopher Woods did for me or am I stuck with standard dot or sharktooth inlays or....? No idea really till I speak to him further about it. I cant wait to find out though!! lol
Vai has LEDs, I'm sure anything is possible.
Congrats BTW, that is an awesome achievement!
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