Getting started:

God if this is meant to be please make it happen with all your Blessings; and please only bring me worthy customers; and keep me Protected.

I ask this of you in Jeasus name.e

*!*!*!PLEASE READ FIRST!*!*!*

The standard features and custom options listed within this page are what is currently available for this years Custom Shop instruments.

If you are searching for an option and/or feature that has been seen within the TK Instruments web-site, yet it is no longer listed within this Custom Shop page; that is because those features and/or options have been discontinued.

My reasons for eliminating these older options and/or features is to continuously improve the quality (and passion) of my work.

Also:

Please be aware that all currently listed designs, options and pricing are subject to change.

Before considering a TK Instrument; You should first explore the TK Anatomy page in order to understand exactly what goes into these instruments.

It is also a good idea to look through the FAQ .

Please be sure to carefully read the Policies .

If you then wish to reserve the construction of your custom instrument; a deposit of 50% of the total cost will be required before beginning this process.

Once you have chosen your favorite Guitar or Bass model, you will then need to go through this entire page and copy any additional custom options that you might want from within this page only; then paste each option that will make up your custom instrument onto an e-mail that has been addressed to me at:

[ vicellotar@gmail.com ].

Then please double check your list and make sure you have not missed any details, and then send it to me along with your phone number, so that we can begin discussing your instrument in person.

This is tougher then it sounds, so please carefully read through this page as you go.

Also: please be sure to read all the fine print notes, because they are often very important.

Remember you are building your dream instrument here, so TRY TO HAVE FUN!

All Custom Shop instruments now include the following standard features at no extra cost:

Compound Scale (Multi-Scale) fingerboard

Zero radius fingerboard

Asymmetrical shaped neck

Hand sculpted "no heel feel"

Glue in Neck attachment

Double expanding dual adjustable truss rod

One piece maple or mahogany neck (scooped or tilt-back)

Maple (non figured) Fingerboard

Side dot inlays (Delrin black or white)

Inlaid TK logo (no TK Logo on Headless models)

Hand rubbed oil finish

A wide selection of Select Tonewoods are available for use on almost all options at no extra cost

Exotic wood Truss rod cover

Wood control cover

Standard strap Pins

25 guitar {bass 24} stainless steel *standard sized, medium/jumbo frets

*does not include 5/32" handmade Stainless Frets.

Sperzel or HipShot Guitar or Bass tuners (some colors may cost extra)

ABM single bridges for headless (has attached tuner) and headstock instruments. (some colors may cost extra)

Barrel Jack

2 control pots with 2 wooden knobs (2 vol, or 1 vol &1 tone) and one *3 way LP switch

*For Basses: the 3 way switch may be substituted for a pan pot and a wooden knob

*2 precision body wood mounted standard pickup installs (any combination of 2 pickups of hum, sngl, or soap)...a 3rd or "middle pickup option" can be added below.

Up to $250 Pickup Allowance (pickups must be able to work with multi-scale designed instruments)

Please Note: if the pickups you choose require a battery, special jacks, switches, or any unusual non standard wiring, then additional charges will apply.

Optional Tuning setups: Standard Tuning -OR- Fifths Tuning

To add more custom options to your instrument;

Such as: Exotic woods, a middle pickup, additional electronics, stainless fret rods, gold hardware, inlay options, etc. Please select your favorite custom options to be added to your Guitar or Bass.

Guitar Models

Base price on a standard features Solid body 6 string guitar is:

$2600+ the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

+$600 For 8 String Model

Add $200 for left handed option

~X~	~SX~
ST	SH only a few more of this model will be made and then it will be discontinued Available in 6 string version only

6 in line ST model Headstock

________________________________

Headstock shapes for all other 6, 7 & 8 string solid body guitars

~X~ Headless

$2900 + the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

+$600 For 8 String Model

Add $200 for left handed option

NOTE:

X Headless models MUST have the rear cutaway [included in the price].

However:

The Headstock models can either have (your choice) of a rear cutaway or not.

$25 Rear cutaway option on Headstock models

SX~ Headless

$2900 + the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

+$600 For 8 String Model

Add $200 for left handed option

NOTE:

SX Headless models MUST have the rear cutaway [included in the price].

However:

The Headstock models can either have (your choice) of a rear cutaway or not.

$25 Rear cutaway option on Headstock models

Base price on a standard features Hollow body (SX or T) 6 string guitar is:

$2900 + the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

+$600 For 8 String Model

Add $200 for left handed option

The price of this model represents the basic body style as loaded with the above standard features.

The model you choose, does not yet have any -additional- options added to it.

New for 2023

Hollow T

Available in 6 or 7 string versions only

$2900 + the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

Hollow T

SX Hollow

6, 7 or 8 string Hollow body shape.

Headstock shape for 6, 7 & 8 string hollow guitars

SX~ Headless Hollow

$3200+ the cost of any added custom options

+$300 for 7 String Model

+$600 For 8 String Model

Add $200 for left handed option

NOTE:

SX Headless models MUST have the rear cutaway [included in the price].

However:

The Headstock models can either have (your choice) of a rear cutaway or not.

Solid Body Woods:

What type of Body wood do you want?

(if you are choosing a hollow body, then this would be your "center" or "core" wood)

Mahogany Body

Ash Body

Alder Body

Estimate: Private Reserve Body (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

Or:

If you feel your body needs to be made of an Exotic species of wood please see the FAQ section on wood questions.

Do you want a top wood for your solid body?

$175 to *$300 Figured or Burl Maple Top * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing wood}

$175 to *$300 Spalted Top * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing spalted wood}

$175 to $200 Quilt Maple Top

$150 to $175 Flame Maple Top

$130 to $150 Birds Eye Maple Top

Estimate: Private Reserve Top (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

Do you want an 1/8" exotic wood pinstripe down the center of your body?

$35 Exotic Wood 1/8" pinstripe down center of any solid body top. {not available on hollow bodies}

(These can also be substituted with 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer...See Inlay)

Hollow Body Woods

This section is for "Hollow body" guitar models only: If you are not building a Hollow body Guitar, then you may skip to next option.

What type of body -core- wood do you want?

(if you are choosing a hollow body, then this would be your "center" or "core" wood)

Mahogany Body

Ash Body

Alder Body

Estimate: Private Reserve Body Core (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

Or:

If you feel your instrument needs to be made of an Exotic species of wood,

please see the FAQ section on wood questions.

What type of top wood do you want on your Hollow Body?

[All hollow body instruments must have a top.]

Mahogany Top

Ash Top

Alder Top

Maple (non figured) Top

$175 to *$300 Figured or Burl Maple Top * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing wood}

$175 to *$300 Spalted Top * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing wood}

$175 to $200 Quilt Maple Top

$150 to $175 Flame Maple Top

$140 to $150 Birds Eye Maple Top

Estimate: Private Reserve Top (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

What type of back wood do you want on your Hollow Body?

[Hollow bodies may not require a back...If this is the case, then your body "core" wood would be the same as your back]

Same as body core wood

$175 to *$300 Figured or Burl Maple Back * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing wood}

$175 to *$300 Spalted Back * {Higher price reflects labor costs of stabilizing spalted wood}

$175 to $200 Quilt Maple Back

$150 to $175 Flame Maple Back

$130 to $150 Birds Eye Maple Back

Estimate: Private Reserve Back (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

Do you want a tapered center body strip on your Hollow body top?

$100 for 5A Exotic Wood top tapered center body strip

(as seen in the photos below) The top on Hollow models, can have an optional tapered center strip.

Please keep in mind that these choices will depend upon wood availability.

What type of 1/8" Exotic Wood out-line pinstripes do you want on your Hollow body top?

(as seen in the photo) The top on all Hollow models, must also have two 1/8" pinstripes at the outside edges of the tapered center strip.

(These can also be substituted with 1/16" Paua pinstripes if you prefer...See Inlay)

Do you want tapered center body strip on your Hollow body back?

$100 for 5A Exotic Wood Back tapered center body strip

(as seen in the photos below) The Top or back on Hollow models, can have an optional tapered center strip.

Please keep in mind that these choices will depend upon wood availability.

What type of 1/8" Exotic Wood out-line pinstripes do you want on your Hollow body back?

(as seen in the photo) The back on all Hollow models, must also have two 1/8" pinstripes at the outside edges of the tapered center strip.

Neck woods:

What type of neck wood do you want?

Mahogany Neck

Maple (non figured) Neck

$85 to $110 Flame Maple

$85 to $110 Birds Eye Maple

Estimate: Private Reserve Neck Wood (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

"Signature Series" Neck

Note: this option is not for headless instruments.

However, all headless necks will come standard with carbon fiber reinforcement!

$275 for the "Signature Series" neck option.

The "Signature Series" neck option includes:

(the following options are only available on "Signature Series" necks)

Carbon fiber reinforcement, (in the neck and headstock) for added strength and sustain.

5 piece laminated headstock design for even more added strength to the headstock.

2 layer headstock laminate:

(please keep in mind that these are dependent upon wood availability.)

This is the top layer laminate that covers your head stock, and will be seen while facing the front of the head stock. Also, please keep in mind that these are dependent upon wood availability.

Tip: this wood looks nice if it is the same as either the body top wood (if the instrument will have a top) Or if there will be no top, then it looks nice if it matches either the body, neck or fingerboard wood. But again, please keep in mind that these are dependent upon wood availability.

So, what type of Exotic Wood laminate will your "signature series" headstock feature as the top layer?

And:

Do you want a Black Pinstripe? or a Maple Pinstripe?

{This will be your second ("pinstripe") layer}

Inlaid "TK" headstock logo

The "TK" Logo can be inlaid with your choice of crushed stones such as:

lapis, malachite, turquoise etc. or a variety of metal flake colors, or crushed Victorian colored glass are also available.

Additional Signature Series Neck Options:

A: $150 for a fully laminated headstock.

2 {top & back} exotic wood laminates, and 2 [black or maple] "pinstripe" laminates.

B: $75 for 1 top laminate and 1 back headstock laminate

2 {top & back} exotic wood laminates, NO "pinstripe" laminates.

Estimate: Private Reserve Fully Laminated Headstock

Fingerboard woods:

Maple (non figured) Fingerboard

$60 - $100 Exotic Wood Guitar fingerboard

$70 - $120 Exotic Wood Bass fingerboard

Estimate: Private Reserve Fingerboard Wood

(any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ years specimen)

Do you want wood fingerboard binding?

$125 Fully bound Exotic Wood fingerboard for standard sized frets

(price applies to any fingerboard that is not loaded with the handmade .075" X .156" stainless steel frets)

Control cavity and truss rod cover woods:

What type of wood control cavity cover do you want ?

Tip: This wood should be either the same wood as the back of the instrument,

or the same wood as the body top wood, or the same wood as the head stock laminate top layer..

This is just a good rule to follow on custom instruments, but NOT a mandatory rule...

But again, please keep in mind that these choices are dependent upon wood availability.

Mahogany Control cover

Maple (non figured) Control cover

$20 for 5A Exotic Wood Control cover

Estimate: Private Reserve Wood Control Cover (any "exhibition grade" specimen)

On all Hollow body models you don't need to choose a control cavity cover, because the cover is part of the back plate.

Hollow Body cover

($70 magnetic cover shown)

Headless hollow cover

($70 magnetic cover shown)

$70 to make control cover magnetically fastened

(uses no screws)

Guitar Magnetic type cover

Bass screw on type cover

What type of Exotic Wood truss rod cover do you want?

Screw-on type shown

$30 to make truss rod cover magnetically fastened

(uses no screws!)

Specifications:

Specifications (for all models):

Multiscales:

Read more about this excellent feature here in the FAQ !

6 String is: 25" X 27" (Measured at the outermost edges of the fingerboard)

7 String is: 25" X 27.25" (Measured at the outermost edges of the fingerboard)

8 String is: 25.5" X 28" (Measured at the outermost edges of the fingerboard)

6 String Strait Scales: (subtract $200 from the total price)

6 String scales can be: 25", 26" or 27"

Approximate Nut Widths:

6, 7 & 8 string Multi-Scale guitars are measured at a 90 degree cross-section at the nut...

Strait fret [6 string] guitars are measured directly across the nut)

6 String Strait-Fret is: 1-5/8'' - [1.6" ]

6 String Multiscale is: 1-5/8'' - [1.6" ]

7 String Multiscale is: 1-7/8" - [1.9" ]

8 String Multiscale is: 2-1/4" - [2.2" ]

Notes on Fingerboard, Neck, Top, and Body Thickness:

Each piece of wood (especially when combined with other woods) will vary in tone, strength and feel.

Therefore; top, body, neck & fingerboard thickness, must vary in order to subtract and/or enhance any unique tactile, musical and/or strength attributes of any particular combination of tonewoods.

This of course varies on an instrument by instrument basis at my discretion.

That said; and in general approximation:

Fingerboard thickness will vary from .15" to .2"

Top (or back) plates will vary from: .15" to .2"

Solid bodies will vary from: 1.4" to 1.6"

Hollow Bodies will vary from: 1.9" to 2.3"

Approximate Neck Thickness: { NOT including fret height} will vary from:

1st Fret - .70" to .80"

12th Fret - .80" to .90"

My very general rule on neck thickness is: more strings usually require a thinner neck profile.

However, (as stated above) this rather "general rule" does not always apply, so it is dependent on an instrument by instrument basis.

Inlay:

Do you want a 1/16" Paua shell pinstripe inlaid into the entire length of your instrument's top?

crushed turquoise or crushed malachite and other materials may be available as well.

$45 for each 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripe (top only)

$70 To replace the two Top 1/8" wood pinstripes, with two 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripes (top only).

$90 To outline the two Top 1/8" wood pinstripes with two 1/16" Paua shell or crushed turquoise or crushed malachite pinstripes (top only).

$20 to $200*

To fill BURL Inclusions with Turquoise, Malachite, or Azurite .**

* labor will need to be estimated per burl

**This option ONLY works on certain types of burl

Click on photo to view more

What type of fingerboard inlay do you want ?

$50 for 24 fret "Off Set" Dot inlays of either pearl, abalone (Paua), or exotic wood.

+$90 for Luminlay (Price includes side dots)

Add $2.50 per any additional off set layout dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]

$15 if you want only 2 dots marking the 12th fret.

Off set "V" shape inlay

$75 for 24 fret Zigzag or "V" dot inlay, of either pearl, abalone (Paua), or exotic wood.

+$90 for Luminlay

(Price includes side dots)

Add $2.50 per any additional "V" or "Zigzag" dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]

The triple dot inlays "mirror" the 3 sound holes on the body of the TK Hollow guitar. (quite nice!!)

$150 for 24 fret Triple Dot inlays of either pearl, abalone, or exotic wood.

(Price includes side dots)

Add $6.50 per any additional "triple dot" inlay [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]

$25 for Side Dot inlays -only- (of either pearl, paua or +$10 for crushed stone +$40 for Luminlay).

Add $3 per -any type- additional side dot [for instruments with more than 24 frets.]

Guitar Hardware:

Note: If you want different hardware that is not featured on this site, please see FAQ for further details on whether or not your choice of hardware will work with TK Instruments.

What color of Sperzel or Hipshot locking tuners do you want?

Black, Chrome, Satin Gold, Satin Chrome (no extra cost!).

For Gold Plated: add $10

Do you want Dunlop "flush-mount" Strap-locks?

$30 Choose from Black or Chrome

For Gold Plated: add $5

ABM single string guitar bridges (for headstock models only)

Black, Chrome, ($25)

Gold Plated: add $50 (+$10 for 7 String +$15 for 8 String )

These are one of the best bridges out there!

Because they don't make contact with each other, they help eliminate the"cross frequency contamination" associated with all other bridges.

Also, they are machined from a solid piece of brass,( rather than a cast metal mold, like many other bridges)...

ABM Headless Hardware

Black, Chrome, ($25)

Gold Plated: add $50 (+$10 for 7 String +$15 for 8 String )

Do you want T4M headless guitar hardware?

$200 for 6 string (+$40 for 7 String +$80 for 8 String )

Black, Chrome, (no extra cost!)

Gold Plated: add $40 (+$10 for 7 String +$15 for 8 String )

$700 T4M Piezo Option with LR Baggs Ctrl-X for 6 string (+$50 for 7 string + $100 8 string)

Do you want a Multiscaled Kahler tremolo system?

Kahler is now building their famous beloved tremolo systems for ( Compound, "Multi-Scaled", "f*nned") fingerboard instruments.

Prices will be around $450 installed, but well worth it to FINALLY have a tremolo available for these instruments!

Additional Electronics:

Please keep in mind that although we can do custom placement of most electronic components; I do use a standard size control cavity on all solid body instruments (hollow bodies have even more room due to the fact that they are hollow).

These standard cavities can hold most common control setups and in some cases even a battery as well...

Do you want any extra volume and/or tone controls?

$30 per single CTS 250K or 500K pot (volume or tone)

+$20 for Bournes "square" type pots

+$40 for PEC Premium pots (Will not work with LR Baggs Piezo Systems)

Price includes cost of pot as well as installation

Do you want any extra real wood knobs?

$10 ea. Rosewood, Ebony, Maple.

(others may be available as well)

$25 to cap wood knob with exotic wood.

$30 to make Wood Switch Tips

Do you want a different type of pickup switch in place of the standard 3 way LP ?

Because the 5 way "Strat style" switches are precision milled to mount directly into the top wood of the instrument,

they require a higher labor price compared to the 3 way LP type switches which only require a simple hole to be drilled.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

$70 per 5 way Strat style Mega-switch S-Model

A heavy-duty switch duplicating standard 5-way STRAT guitar wiring options.

Price includes cost of switch and installation

$70 per 5 way Strat style Mega-switch E-Model

5-way Megaswitch for 3-pickup combinations of single coils or humbuckers, or

for 2-humbucker guitars. It allows wiring arrangements not obtainable with a

standard 5-way guitar switch including automatic coil-tapping and special

hum-canceling connections.

Price includes cost of switch and installation

Do you want any mini switches for humbucker coil taps?

$25 per Chrome mini switch (for Black Mini add $10)

Price includes cost of switch and installation

Do you need a custom milled battery compartment with a exotic wood cover?

You may not necessarily need this for your instrument -IF- all your controls will fit in a standard size control cavity. Most standard control setups still have room for a battery as well...

$55 for a custom battery compartment with an exotic wood cover.

Price includes the parts cost and installation of the battery compartment.

$30 to make the battery cover magnetically fastened (uses no screws!)

Middle Guitar & Bass Pickups:

(see the FAQ for more info on pickups)

Need a 3rd pickup?

You can either buy the pickups yourself and send them to me, or in some cases buy your pickups through me.

Please Note: if the pickups you choose require a battery, special jacks, switches,

or any unusual non standard wiring, then additional charges will apply.

The pickup installation price includes routing per pickup cavity and standard wiring per pickup.

$80 per standard *Guitar Humbucker pickup installation

* Because of the angle needed to mount humbuckers in these instruments, I will need to "Diagnolize" your pickups. (see photo below)

Most standard humbuckers can be "Diagnolized" as long as they have the 4 screws on the back that allow the coils to be removed.

This is needed because the pickup coils must be reseated at an angle, in order to mount correctly beneath the strings...

You could subtract $30 per Guitar humbucker off of your base price by choosing a

"single blade polepiece" 7 string humbucker (see photo below), such as: Fishman Fluence, EMG 707's, Lace Alumitone, or Bartolini makes some as well..

$50 per standard Guitar single coil pickup installation

$50 per Bass single coil pickup installation

$50 per Jazz Bass pickup installation

$50 per Bass Humbucker pickup installation

$50 per Soapbar {Bass} pickup installation

Need a different pickup cavity not shown here? if so, please contact me.

Do you want exotic wood pickup veneers?

$50 ea. to install exotic wood veneer on single coil pickup covers that require holes.

$30 ea. for single coils that have no holes (such as an EMG)

$35 ea. to install exotic wood veneer on humbucker pickup cover (no holes)

(this option only works on EMG type covers with no polepiece holes).

Cases:

Keep in mind that your instrument will probably need to be shipped to you,

so you will need to purchase some type of hardshell case.

I have seen a few acceptable to excellent SKB and Gator cases that will fit my instruments.

Even if we had to find a loose fitting inexpensive case, I can at least pack it tightly with materials to help make sure it won't be knocked around during shipping.

As of this writing (2019)

I have found these really nice solid foam interior (3 layers) military grade SKB gun cases.

(see image below)

They are big enough for headless guitars, and I've seen others that are big enough for the headstock guitars as well..

(Still not sure about basses though)

I can custom cut the foam in these cases to fit your instrument quite nicely.

The labor charge for me to do a custom cut foam interior is $150 + the cost of the case...

The cost of the case itself usually ranges around $200 (+/- $35).

Please Note: I only cut the foam to fit your instrument.

I don't do any interior lining (velvet etc.).

If you do not wish to purchase either an inexpensive or a custom made ATA case, then your next best choice would be to personally come out to my shop and pick your instrument up.

This will not only save shipping and case costs, but will also allow me to do any minor setup changes you might want done.

*The following hand select seasoned tonewoods are considered Exotics, and will carry an additional cost

*(depending upon availability)

Birds Eye Maple (for neck, fingerboard, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)

Quilt Maple (for neck, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)

Flame Maple (for neck, *ornamental, top and back body plates only)

Spalted/Figured Maple (*ornamental, top and back body plates only,

Macassar Ebony, (fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Palemoon Ebony, (top, back, fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Purpleheart (fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Rosewood [a wide variety] (fingerboard and ornamental wood only)

Goncolo Alves (fingerboard and ornamental wood only)

Bocote (fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Cocobolo (fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Ziracote (top, back, fingerboard and *ornamental wood only)

Private Reserve (any "exhibition grade" and/or aged 10+ year wood)

*Note: there may be other available wood species not listed above

*What are "ornamental woods"?

These are woods that are often used as decorative enhancements on an instrument.

Examples are: pinstripes, tapered center stripes (as seen on the tops and backs of the Hollow model instruments), truss rod covers, control covers, tremolo covers, fingerboard binding, etc. etc...

You usually want these woods to be figured and/or colorful.

If you have a specific exotic wood in mind that you would like please see the FAQ section on wood questions.

_______________________________________________________________

*The following select tonewoods may be used at no extra cost

*(depending upon availability)

Mahogany (used for body, neck, and top and back body plates only)

Ash (for body and/or top and back body plates only) more than one species of Ash may be available

Alder (for body and top and back body plates only)

Maple {Non figured} (for neck, fingerboard, top and back body plates only)

*Note: there may be other available wood species not listed above.