Lowe Shop Notes

[BTL]

So, I think the design for T shirt #1 is finalized:



The current batch of bodies and necks are heading into paint, and a buddy asked me to mod an old Foto Flame Tele to HH configuration.

Laying it out:



Routed:



The neck screws were all stripped out and shimmed with toothpicks, so I added steel inserts:



Wiring harness:



Also, laying out a bass for personal use:

[Dave W]

I can see the Hamburglar on the heel.

[BTL]

I forgot about that...

[BTL]

Did anybody catch the wiring error in the harness?

The color-coding should help with troubleshooting.

It's a two pickup guitar with coil-splitting.

As it turns out, I reversed the push-pull switch wires...easy fix.

[Rob]

I can see the Hamburglar on the heel.

Dammit!  Now I can too
I'm in for a shirt!

[BTL]

Dammit!  Now I can too
I'm in for a shirt!

You're on the list!

[BTL]

So, a Cease and Desist letter from LEO's old company kept me a bit distracted this summer.

The now defunct Chimera Series were "hot rodded" versions of industry standbys that used unmodified Mighty Mite necks with black headstocks and my logo.

As of last month, the matter is closed.

Based on the headstock redesign, the minimal sales and your client's commitment to permanently cease and desist from selling products containing [...] intellectual property or intellectual property confusingly similar to [...] intellectual property as noted in the original Cease & Desist letter dated [...], 2016, we will consider this matter closed.

All my Custom USA models are designed, milled, finished, assembled, and set up here in the States.

I think I'll stick with that model for a while.

[Dave W]

I was afraid that would happen. Hated to contradict your attorney when we discussed this awhile back, but I've seen Fender's history of doing this with others.

[BTL]

I was afraid that would happen. Hated to contradict your attorney when we discussed this awhile back, but I've seen Fender's history of doing this with others.

In fairness to my attorney, I put a self-penned disclaimer on my site and my Reverb ads that likely served to attract attention vs. maintaining stealth.

Hindsight is always 20/20.

It was fun while it lasted, and bridged the gap while my new guitar shapes were being programmed.

[gearHed289]

The Ridler smokes those old Leo shapes anyway. 

[Rob]

The Ridler smokes those old Leo shapes anyway. 

[BTL]

Thanks guys, that helps more than you know.

[BTL]

Back in the saddle with some six-stringers...satin finishes this time around:







Also, working on a bunch of harnesses for a single-pickup Primaluxe bass:

[Dave W]

I really like the color of the second one.

[BTL]

Thanks!

That's "Gretsch Orange" over ash, but with a satin finish.

Not something you see every day, for sure.