Beginning stages of ordering my Melancon (feedback appreciated)

[RSRD]

I've started the ball rolling on ordering a Melancon Custom Artist T with Gerard. Ive owned a few and now I want to make one to my specs. So I need to iron out some details. Opinions GREATLY appreciated. Im a hard/prog player. I play alot of riffage with complicated time changes but don't do alot of wailing solos. So a good round/full for my cleans and a well defined yet heavy for my gain channel. I like it pretty liquidy for my leads but I don't burst into leads often. I play thru a Bogner Shiva head and 4x12. Heres what I have so far:

TYPE: Custom Artist T

BODY WOOD: Mahogany or Mahogany/maple top (would use spalted maple because I love that look)

NECK WOOD: Madagascar Rosewood (Anyone played this? I have not and would love opinions ) OR Mahogany/rosewood
NECK SIZE: +.020 or +.040 would appreciate feedback on Melancon owners and their necks.

HARDWARE: *would love opinions on pickups. Going with the H/H set up.
*Stainless steel frets
*Pearl inlays on fret board(was thinking about doing something different instead of dots if possible)
*Pickup rings
*pull thru strings/possible trem for bridge. not floyd though.

What am I missing? I know I will be talking with Gerard for much of the process but I figure the better prepared I am now the better the guitar turns out.

Thanks in advance for any advice, help ,etc.... Im really excited about doing this. Ive been buying and selling used on here for so many years it's about time I make one brand spanking new for myself.


Thomas

 

[atquinn]

What neck shape are you getting and what nut width? I think the standard neck shape and nut width are great, but maybe you don't?

Also, Melancon is using a customized version of the Gotoh 510 trem which is the best 2-point trem I've ever played (I've had it on a few Suhrs and my current Melancon). Here's the bridge on my guitar:

He used the bent saddle, zinc block version on my guitar, but I replaced the saddles with solid saddles (from a 6-screw 510 bridge I have laying around) and it feels much more comfortable under my hand. Next time I change all the strings (a long time in the future ), I'll probably try swapping the zine block out for the steel one on my other 510 bridge to see what it does tonally. I'm guessing he would do the bridge however you want, so if you're thinking about going with a trem bridge, you might want to think those options through or get his feedback on them.

Also, are you going solid or chambered for the body. My Mel is chambered and it's pretty heavy (not too heavy though; around 8 lbs), so that's something to consider, although based on what you play, I'm thinking solid would be the way to go.

As far as electronics, I assume you're going with the HH setup (as opposed to HSH)? I have the PAFN and PAFB humbuckers in my guitar with the mini 3-way to put them in series/split/parallel. Very versatile pickups and I love the neck humbucker, but I might try a slightly more powerful (hot-paf to medium output) bridge pickup in the future. Maybe. Also, if I had spec'ed my Mel out myself, I would have gone with 2, 2-way mini-switches to give series/split mode for each humbucker independently. I use the neck split alot, but not the bridge so much and haven't found a use for parallel mode yet. The current 3-way works well though and I definitely prefer it to push-pull pots.

Anyway, just some thoughts I had. I know exactly what I'd order if I bought a new Mel, but finances dicate I'll be buying them used for the forseeable future (which is fine too, more bang for the buck I suppose ).

-Austin

 

[tommc]

You definitely need to sort out the neck specs, width etc. Gerard used to have a "standard" neck carve, which is quite thin, then go up from there with +.020, .040, + 060, overcarve. I have a .020 on my P-90 Artist, which I ordered, and it's still pretty slim. I have .040 on a used Mel Custom Artist Strat type which I would say is close to a Fender medium C in my opinion. In the past few years, he seemed to be getting away from those specs, and kind of using Fender naming. Best to check with the guy who is helping with your order. In the old Melancon forum, there used to be some threads that defined these terms with exact measurements, but alas, those are gone.

If you have a neck that you really like, I suggest you take some measurments and provide them with your order.

To me, the neck size, shape is all important. My only regret with my P-90 is that I didn't order a larger neck. In fact, I talked to Gerard about building me a new neck last year, which he will do, but I haven't followed through.

Rest assured, the wait will be worth it and you will have a wonderful instrument.

 

[RSRD]

Austin, first off, beautiful guitar! Im grateful for the bridge comments. Im waffling about what kind of bridge and saddles to get at this point. I need to research this more.

As for chambered, as much as my back would like it, Im going to go with solid. As you pointed out it suits my tonal needs better.

Definitely going with the H/H setup. I need something pretty hot in the Bridge and something full in the neck. I too prefer the toggle to the push/pull. So you have the PAFN in the neck? Its something I may consider.

Lastly, you'd be surprised at the pricing. I'll let you know as mine takes shape but Ive heard that you can keep it just over 2K to 2.5k (if you dont go crazy with Koa,etc...) and much of the used ones I see are around $1800.

 

[RSRD]

Yeah, not sure how I over looked neck size! But I have been thinking about it. I want to stay away from the fat necks. Didn't ever see the threads on neck sizes back on the Mel Forum. Im leaning towards .020 but maybe .040. I guess I need to get measurements like you stated. Thanks for the heads up. It would be a real shame to get the guitar and not be happy with the feel of the neck

Would greatly appreciate anyone with Melancon neck opinions!

Thomas

You definitely need to sort out the neck specs,
width etc. Gerard used to have a "standard" neck carve, which is quite thin, then go up from there with +.020, .040, + 060, overcarve. I have a .020 on my P-90 Artist, which I ordered, and it's still pretty slim. I have .040 on a used Mel Custom Artist Strat type which I would say is close to a Fender medium C in my opinion. In the past few years, he seemed to be getting away from those specs, and kind of using Fender naming. Best to check with the guy who is helping with your order. In the old Melancon forum, there used to be some threads that defined these terms with exact measurements, but alas, those are gone.

 

[atquinn]

I'm fairly certain Melancon's Standard neck is .830" at the 1st fret. By comparison, Suhr's 60's C Vintage Standard is .810" at the first fret and their C Vintage Medium is .830". Of course, one measurement doesn't tell the whole story, but I personally love Suhr's C Vintage Standard neck and the neck on my Mel doesn't feel small at all. But maybe I've got small hands?

-Austin

 

[RSRD]

Hmmm, I guess I'll be proding Gerard on neck sizes.

 

[RSRD]

thanks for all the help thus far guys. I laid down the deposit on


CUSTOM ARTIST T ( solid body)
Natural
Mahogany/ spalted maple top
Madagascar or Mahog/rosewood NECK
Satin Finish
Standard nut width
+.20 standard neck carve
6150 Stainless Steel Medium Frets
Gotoh Tele Fixed Bridge
Dual Humbuckers
3 way switch selector
master volume (pearl inlay)
master tone (pearl inlay)

I'm interested in seeing how and if things change along the way. Im trying my best for a thick LP tone so lets see how that affects things.

 

[RSRD]

Heres a pic of a very simlar looking guitar I used to have