Frequently Asked Questions
What is your build process?
All of our guitar bodies and necks are made in the USA at our workshop. Upon order, your build specs will be reviewed, and within a few days, a CAD model will be created. If we have any questions or need confirmation on anything, we will send you a draft CAD rendering before cutting your guitar in case there are any last minute changes required.
During this time, we will begin prepping the wood for your build. Once your guitar is machined and finished per your specs, it will be packed and shipped. A tracking number will be sent from our website. Our order form includes a "special instructions" section, but if you plan to use this, please discuss it with us first to ensure feasibility and pricing. If you have any questions or special requests, please reach out to us before purchasing.
Build Time
Guitar bodies: Typically 1-2 weeks
Guitar necks: Typically 2-3 weeks
All other items (pickguards, decals, pickups, accessories) usually ship within 1 business day. These are general estimates and can vary based on our current queue and project complexity. If you have a time-sensitive build, please contact us before purchasing.
Can I pick my own wood?
We source our wood from a reputable supplier and do not purchase pre-made blanks for individual selection. All of our wood is purchased in large rough-cut lengths and processed in-house. While we take care in wood selection, if you have any special requests, please let us know beforehand, and we will try to accommodate if possible.
Can I send you a piece of wood to use?
Typically, no. We cannot guarantee customer-supplied wood quality and cannot replace it if issues arise. If you'd like to discuss this, please contact us.How many pieces will my guitar body be?
Standard-size guitar bodies are typically two-piece. Oversized bodies may be two or three pieces, depending on size, shape, and wood species. We aim for a center seam in two-piece bodies, but this may vary depending on several factors. If you plan on a natural finish, let us know in advance, and we will pay extra attention to seam and grain matching.
Can I request a species of wood not listed on your website?
Possibly. Our supplier carries many wood species we do not stock. Since we purchase large rough-cut planks rather than individual blanks, we will need to discuss availability, pricing, and feasibility before purchase.
Do you custom route for bridges, necks, electronics, etc, not listed on your website?
We offer a variety of routing options. If you need something not listed, please contact us. Some manufacturers publish their specs, in which case we can likely accommodate your request. If applicable, we will provide pricing and instructions on how to add the modification to your order.
Can I send you parts and have you make them work with my build?
In cases where manufacturer specs are not public, we may or may not be able to work with parts you send. Please contact us to discuss feasibility and pricing. Buyers are responsible for all shipping costs.
Do you make custom guitar shapes not listed?
Possibly. Feasibility and pricing depend on the design. We will not create anything that infringes on copyrights or intellectual property. Please contact us to discuss your build.
Do you offer painting/finishing?
We offer finishing upon request, depending on time and resources available at that time. If interested, contact us for a timeline and estimate.
Neck Fitment
If purchasing a body and neck from us, they will be designed to fit together. We offer routing for non-Five Alarm Guitars necks. If using your own neck, select the appropriate neck pocket option. If your neck isn't listed, we offer custom neck pocket routing. If this is something you require please send us a message and we'll send a list of questions and measurements we need to cut the neck pocket for you. We do request you have digital calipers for accurate measurements. For standard neck pocket options we'll cut to the width you specify in the drop down, however due to possible be inconsistencies from neck to neck if you'd like to send a heel measurement of your specific neck we will cut to your number the best we can. Doing this will minimize potential fitment work by the buyer after receiving the body. That being said we do not guarantee there won't be some minor fitment work as we do not have your neck here to work with.
Fret Installation and Finishing
We undercut fret tangs (like bound necks) to minimize fret sprout over time. Fret slots are radiused to match your fretboard. Frets are glued and pressed, beveled, leveled, and crowned. Most necks should be playable when received however, because wood moves with changes in temperature, humidity and string tension additional fret leveling may be required. This is best done after the neck has been strung up to pitch for several days and allowed to adjust in the assembled state. For this reason, we leave this fine tuning to the end user as we do not install the necks and prior to shipping.
Will your pickguard fit my guitar or can you make one to work with the brand/specific model that I have?
We don't have a vast inventory of various guitar brands and models to test our pickguards with. We test with guitars we have here and call out compatibility the best we can, however due to manufacturer inconsistencies we provide a downloadable template for you to print and match up to your guitar (ink is often in the description, but if you need help let us know). We urge you to use the template we provide to test the pickguard for yourself with your guitar prior to purchase. Due to the fact that these are custom cut to your specs the are subject to the return policy outlined below.
Terms of Service
Order Cancellation
If you wish to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. If we haven't started work, we can cancel. If work has begun, a restocking fee of up to 25% may apply depending on where we are in the build process
Changes to Existing Orders
Contact us immediately if you need to change your specs. Changes may or may not be possible depending on progress. If there is a cost, we will provide an invoice before proceeding. We are accommodating and will do the best we can.
Returns
Pre-made items: 30-day return policy. Items must be unaltered and in original condition. Buyer is responsible for return shipping.
Custom orders: 30-day warranty for defects in hardware or workmanship. Grain pattern, wood coloration, etc., are not covered. Returns on custom-built items are subject to a restocking fee
Shipping
Choose your desired shipping option during checkout. If you have any questions or placed more than 1 order that can be combined that might be eligible for combined shipping let us know (if we haven't already noticed this and reached out to you). If your order is damaged during shipping, please notify us immediately so we can start a claim. Buyers are responsible for customs, duties, VAT, or other taxes. We do not falsify shipping forms.