Build Configuration Options
Stock or Custom?
The least expensive stock build configuration is selected by default, with the exception of dual humbuckers - you can save another $50 by selecting "Single Humbucker" in the "Pickup Layout" field. All fields are customizable, and you can click the "CUSTOM" button for even more configurable options.
Body Lumber
In 2023, lumber shipping costs are more than the lumber itself so I only offer species I can buy locally here in Denver to keep prices as low as possible. In addition, buying lumber meant for guitar parts sight unseen is never a good idea, in my experience anyway. Click here for info on how the below woods may or may not affect tone, if you're into that kind of thing.
Basswood - the lightest offering - even lighter than Swamp Ash.
Poplar - Another good choice if you want a lighter instrument. Still slightly lighter than swamp ash.
Alder - Medium weight, popularized by Fender.
African Mahogany - The heaviest offering, popularized by Gibson. One note - most vintage Gibson guitars are made with Honduran Mahogany but it's essentially illegal to import, so alternative types have become common.
Body Top Lumber
Basic options here. For reasons I haven't looked into, quilted maple is much more rare than flamed maple, hence the higher prices for quilted tops. As you'd expect, larger body styles (LT & EV) require larger tops, which are harder to find so the price for maple tops on LT and EV models is higher. There's also some cost to account for the additional time and hassle required to build a body blank with two different woods, rather than one. Gluing two pieces of flat wood together is harder than you think it is!
Body Color Application
Most of the options here are self explanatory except glowing white, which looks white under normal light but glows in the dark after exposure to a light source. Its the same luminescent minerals used in Luminlay inlays, but applied to the entire guitar body. Also available as a headstock veneer, fingerboard inlays, and neck & headstock binding, for example:
As for coatings, traditional finish work - finish sanding in particular - is time consuming, so I developed an approach that saves time via automation called a machined epoxy finish. It's a textured, less glossy epoxy layer that can be water clear, semi-transparent with color, or opaque with color. Here's an example of a clear coat - I bet you can't tell the difference, but you'll see the texture if you zoom in (click image to enlarge):
Here's a closeup of blue semi-transparent epoxy with lighting chosen to accentuate the texture:
Why texture? It eliminates swirl marks, micro scratches, and fingerprinting, but best of all - it doesn't stick to your skin. It feels cool and slick, even when you sweat.
If you want something a little more radical, I also offer modular, printed aluminum tops. You read that right - modular guitar finishes. It works on headstocks too, and AI generated images are PERFECT for this application, and if you're not aware - you can create these yourself. Take a look at what's possible:
Two notes: 1) Printed aluminum tops are only available on zero and 1 series models (e.g. HT0, LT1, etc). 2 and 3 series models have carved tops and arent compatible with printed aluminum tops. 2) If you choose an aluminum top I'll work with you to nail down the custom graphic. It can be anything you like, AI generated with my help, or if you have existing art/photography, that works too!
Bridge
The Apollo Hardtail is the default option here, which is a great looking bridge with a large saddle travel range, which is perfect for swapping in modular necks with longer scale lengths.
The custom Hipshot Hardtail functions the same as the standard, but is mounted in a much beefier way.
The Schaller Lockmeister is - in my opinion, the best Floyd Style bridge out there. Schaller manufactured the original Floyd Rose, and has continued to improve on the design since the Floyd patent expired.
Bridge & Knobs Finish
Tone and volume knobs will match the finish of the bridge you choose. The HT series will include LP style speed knobs, but I can get pretty much anything from EMG. Let me know if you have specific preferences in the "Build Notes/Comments" field.
Pickup Layout
Self explanatory here, however there are some logic gaps in the config form. For example, you could select HSS and the Killswitch Engage signature pickup set, which is not a valid combination. If you do select something that doesn't work, I'll follow up with you for clarification.
Passive Pickups
Between EMG, SD, DiMarzio and BKP, there's a ton of options available here. RailHammer, Lundgren and Ron Ellis are also on the list.
NOTE - between pickup layout & all the manufacturers and models available, the price listed on the website may increase or decrease depending on your selections. After the order is placed, I'll follow up to nail down pricing and selection details with you.
Also - there are many pickup finish options available as well. Let me know if you have specific preferences, prices vary.
Active Pickups
EMG, Fishman Fluence and Seymour Duncan options available here.
NOTE - between pickup layout & all the manufacturers and models available, the price listed on the website may increase or decrease depending on your selections. After the order is placed, I'll follow up to nail down pricing and selection details with you.
Also - there are many pickup finish options available as well. Let me know if you have specific preferences, prices vary.
Fishman Fluence Voicings
As of late 2023, all Fishman Fluence Humbuckers offer 3 voices. Voice 1 is the standard humbucker voicing, voice 2 is usually a different humbucker voicing, and voice 3 is usually a tapped single coil tone.
Solderless Wiring System
Why solderless? Because soldering sucks and limits your ability to experiment with new pickups and components. It's the 2020s, we can do better.
I use the EMG solderless wiring system by default - even for non-EMG passive pickups (which can easily be modified for compatibility) but if you want coil tapping or a more robust termination between components, you'll require a Mad Hatter solderless wiring system.
EMG's solderless wiring system is great, but does not offer coil tapping and uses slip-on style quick connects which some players aren't fond of. The Mad Hatter System uses screw terminals instead, which are of course not prone to slipping off their pins the way the EMG system can be, and the Mad Hatter system offers coil tapping via push/pull pots. They do offer coil tapping via 5 way blade switch, but the switches are very tall and don't fit in TEN32 bodies.
Switch Type
Carved top models aren't compatible wiith blade (strat style) switches (not enough body thickness), so they use toggle switches. Flat top models have plenty of body thickness for standard blade switches. You can also select the uber-advanced Seymour Duncan Hyperswitch which enables a truly insane number of pickup selection options. Take a look at page 3 of the user manual to see the crazy number of options.
Neck & Headstock Type
Choose between a conventional neck, or a bolt-on headstock arrangement. Confused by this? Take a look here.
Heres the short version - the bolt-on headstock enables two things: 1) easy & safe air travel via the TEN32 backpack case and 2) the ability to swap out different headstock shapes, to keep the look of your guitar fresh and inspiring as the years pass. If you want either of those options, select the bolt-on headstock. If flying with a guitar and/or swapping headstock shapes is of no interest to you, select a conventional neck.
I'll also add - there are absolutely zero sacrifices to the tone, playability, or feel of the instrument if you choose a bolt-on headstock. Don't believe me? I've got an easy fix - choose a conventional neck.
Neck Scale Length
Standard options here, more available in the future - all the way up to 30". Multi-scale will also be available at some point. If you want something very specific, everything is doable for the right price.
If you're unaware, TEN32 guitar necks are universally modular.
Neck & Headstock Lumber
I only use the most naturally dimensionally stable lumber for TEN32 necks. More details here or here.
Fingerboard Lumber
A wide variety of options available. If you require something that isn't on this list, I can probably get it, prices vary.
Neck Binding
Pretty self explanatory, but I use epoxy resin for my bindings so you can mix in things like copper powder or milled carbon fiber which are great for impact resistance and durability, or to provide a unique look. Glowing white is also an option:
Fretwire Size
Specs on the two standard sizes I offer are below. If you require something else, I can get it but there will be additional costs.
Fingerboard Inlays
I'm working on more standard options, but if you want custom inlays there's an extra text box for filling in the details. Prices vary depending on complexity.
Headstock Shape
Major note here - TEN32 Backpack cases have limited headstock compatibility:
- EN and CG model cases only support 4+2 and 2+4 headstock shapes.
- HT model cases support 4+2, 2+4 and 3+3 shapes.
- TT and ST model cases haven't been fully nailed down yet, but will likely only support 4+2, 2+4, and 3+3.
Stated another way, 6IL headstock shapes are too big to fit in TEN32 backpack cases. If you select an incompatible combo, I'll let you know after the order is placed, and I'll give you a $50 discount off a second headstock so you can get the one you want and the one that travels.
Headstock Veneer
The available options are all self explanatory except the glowing white option, which looks white under normal light but glows in the dark after exposure to a light source. Its the same luminescent minerals used in Luminlay inlays, but applied to the headstock. Also available as a body finish, fingerboard inlays, and neck & headstock binding.
Headstock Binding
Pretty self explanatory, but I use epoxy resin for my bindings so you can mix in things like copper powder or milled carbon fiber which are great for impact resistance and durability, or provide a unique look. Glowing white is also an option:
If you want one of the wackier options, let me know in the "Build Notes/Comments" field.
Tuner Button Style
See this page for details on the options.
String Gauges
For guitars with hardtails, I machine the nut to precisely match your chosen string gauges, and engrave the nut with those gauges for easy identification. If you're not aware, just like headstocks and necks, TEN32 nuts are universally modular, and you can swap between what you see below, as well as Gotoh locking nuts and I'm also working on a compatible zero-fret nut.
Additional Cases
If you're flying somewhere with a TEN32 backpack case and you intend to leave the instrument in your lodging, then no additional case is required. If you intend to leave your lodging with the guitar, you wont want to break it down again and put it in the backpack case, so you'll need an extra case (annoying, I know, but this isn't a problem I can solve with clever engineering). This is why all TEN32 builds include a gig bag - so you can stuff it in your checked bag and break it out when you get settled in at your destination.
If you want a hard shell case for non-flight based travel you have the option of a standard hard shell case or the TEN32 Tactical case, which I'll be adding to the website soon. Remind me to update this section if there are no details on the tactical case after January 2024 - ten32guitars@gmail.com
Build Consulting
I've had a lot of good feedback from pre-production clients who received updates and progress photos as I was building their instrument. When I'm in full production mode, I won't have time to do this for every build, but I wanted to offer it for those who are interested.
If you select this option, I'll ask that you install a secure, encrypted messaging app called Signal. Why? SMS is unreliable and compresses images. Signal isn't and doesn't.