Creating Duplicates

Our long "Obon" holiday is now over, and we are back in the swing of things here at the office.

One of the things we get common requests for is "creating duplicates". This includes everything from exact replicas of various artist's signature models to the Les Paul that Jimmy Page used on a particular piece of footage.

Though we have made various "replicas" of other company's models in the past, things around our industry have changed quite significantly as of very recently.

A lot of the major companies in our industry have become increasingly noting of the amount of smaller companies out there making replicas of their models, and making a good living that way- while they themselves seem to be not selling as many guitars as they used to. This has everything to do from the possible price of certain instruments right down to a difference in quality. Whatever each individual company's reasons may be- the outcome is the same; they have made it clear that they will no longer stand aside and allow copies of their instruments to be made by other companies.

The only way around this is to pay a particular company, we'll call a "guarantee", to allow us to build a copy of one of their instruments. As a very small business, personally, we simply can in no way accomplish this.

Getting to the signature model issue; this is just not even up for argument. For obvious legal reasons, both on the part of the said manufacturer, as well as the artist in question, creating a copy of an artist's signature model is in no way possible, whatsoever.

Believe me, it has nothing to do with pride. It's not like we are just trying to force our own models on our customers. If we could get away with building anything we wanted, our orders for guitars would more than triple, and thus so would our income!

We are extremely flattered that we get so much positive feedback on the quality of our instruments, and as a business the last thing you want to do is turn a potential customer away; but the reality is that we really cannot build replicas of another company's instrument any longer.

We have always, from the inception of the company, prided ourselves on (as well as having the strict company policy as) being a CUSTOM ORDER MADE guitar and bass manufacturer. We love building instruments hand-made. We love being able to deliver exactly what our customers want. This is the most cherished core of Combat Guitars, and it will never change. We will always build each and every instrument custom order made. Though we can no longer create duplicates of another company's patented model, we can still take your ideas and turn them into something fantastic. Something original. Something of superior quality, and superior sound.

Combat also has a few original models that we are very proud of. The 4 most popular I have blogged about in the past, as well as posted galleries of on our MySpace page.

They are; the ST-Warm Series, the TL-Warm Series, the Type-G Series and the LT-Series.

Check out my blog post on them HERE.

CLICK HERE to see photo galleries of all of our original models as well as an array of custom guitars and basses we have built in the past.

I hope that helped to clear up the "creating duplicates" issue.

Thanks for your understanding!

-Combat Colin.

Out of the Office For "Obon"

Tomorrow begins yet another week long forced holiday here in Japan.

Last time was in May, when we celebrated the week long string of individual holidays collectively called "Golden Week".

This time it is for the "Obon Festivals."

The calender isn't marked at all by Obon, yet everyone seems to understand when it is. Not sure why we need to take so much time off work, but alas I am defeated by the iron grips of tradition.

Thus, we will be out of the office from August 12th until the 17th.

If you remember my extremely cynical blog post back in May about "Golden Week" and it's individual holidays, and subsequent reasons for the holiday's, I did give a brief description about what it's all about. I find the reasons for Obon to be much more respectable.

Obon stems from India, and the Buddhist beliefs of the Ullambana Sutra. The Japanese people believe that during the period of Obon that the Spirit's of their ancestors return home. So naturally, during this time all Japanese families re-unite together to celebrate the communion of the family. To reflect on their departed loved ones and express thankfulness for how the remaining impact of what they have done for us still effects our lives, and to honor them with remembrance.

I can definitely see value in a tradition like this, and so will check my usual cynicism at the reasons behind some national holidays at the door.

Though I do support a tradition like Obon, and respect it entirely, believe me when I say that I am always the last guy who wants to take time off work. Again, really sorry but, because of Obon we will be out of the office until Monday August 17th. So, let me apologize that you will have to wait for any responses regarding anything until after then.

Instead of stressing about your guitar, in the spirit of Obon- take a few days to do some nice things for your mom instead.

See ya Monday!

- Combat Colin.

Combat Guitars Original Models!

Things may seem to have slowed down a bit in regards to the blog, and I apologize for that, but nothing could be busier or more exciting than what is happening behind the scenes these days here at the Combat office.

I really do need to start capturing more moments on film, video and the digi-cam, so I can get them up here on the blog and share them all with you! Again, I apologize for the recent absence, things have just been a bit nutty! I will kick back in gear with the blog though, so please be patient, and as always a HUGE thank-you to everyone who continues to support us here at our small business, Combat Guitars.

We've recently made a couple one-off customs that were just SICK, and unfortunately they got picked up by their owners before I could even think about getting some photos! There are enough photos floating around on our official MySpace, and Website anyway, for you to get the idea of what I mean by some pretty sweet looking custom one-offs.

In any case, what I would really like to start focusing in on much more intensely and exclusively are the four Combat Original Models. Don't get me wrong, one-offs are great! They are exciting to build, and a pleasure to see finished. However, I think I have focused in on the one-off stuff a little too much and would really like to take things in a new direction. Of course we will always be a custom maker, that is our strict company policy! But, we would also like to establish ourselves amongst our fellow guitar companies with our own line-up of seriously great looking, and awesome sounding line-up of original guitar models.

Another area I have neglected is showing-off our basses! Combat Guitars is just as serious about our hand-made basses as we are about all our custom guitars. Our one-off basses, as well as our line up of original basses; the Combat Mega Bass and the Combat MSB Bass.

I promise I will get more in depth, and more active about the bass stuff, starting very very soon. But for now, in regards to this post, I do want to remind you of, our maybe even introduce you to, the four models in Combat's original line-up!

COMBAT GUITARS ORIGINAL MODELS

The design of all four models in Combat's line-up have been carefully thought-out, in every aspect. Not just aesthetically, but how the guitars feel, how they are shaped, and how tonal out put is effected. When coupled with any number of Combat's original head designs (which can be chosen by YOU), the guitars are set-up to be superior in every way. String-tension, tuning stability, and again- maximum tonal out-put are all things which have been carefully noted of.

Though these are a standard line-up of guitar models, the customization aspect of Combat Guitars still remains. Choose your model, then choose your head-shape, choose your preferred neck-joint, neck grip, hardware, pickups, color, bindings, etc etc etc.

This is Combat's original line-up of guitar models. All completely customizable by YOU.

1. The Combat ST-Warm Series

This model takes a classic, and standard ST-type body design and turns it into something spectacular. The ST-Warm adds a unique arched body top to this timeless design, and is available as a hollow-body or solid-body (ST Solid-Warm).

Combat ST-Warm Series

2. The Combat TL-Warm Series

Like the ST-Warm, the TL-Warm is based on a classic TL body shape, but with a unique arched body top. The TL-Warm is also available as a hollow-body, or solid-body (TL Solid-Warm)

Combat TL-Warm Series

3. The Combat G-Series

The G-Series guitar is your all-around guitar! With simple customization this amazingly versatile guitar can be perfectly suited to nearly any type of playing style, with a shape that is simple and subtle, yet sleek and stunning. Though we think this guitar looks and sounds best as an arched top, we will accept orders for flat tops as well.

Combat G-Series

4. The Combat LT-Series

The LT-Series is the newest addition to the Combat original line-up of models. The LT-Series guitar is a gorgeous contemporary shaped instrument that combines classic characteristics of an LP type guitar with modern curves, and an arched-top that's hand-carved, topping out at over 20mm.

Combat LT-Series

To see more pics of the Combat original line-up of models; the LT-Series, the TL-Warm, the ST-Warm, and the G-Series CLICK HERE!

If you are interested in creating your own custom Combat Guitar or bass, simply fill out our FREE Estimate Form to as far as you can with all your ideas and specs, etc, and I will get back to you, usually within the next day, with advice and a FREE estimate!

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE!

CLICK HERE to read more about why hand-made is better.

CLICK HERE to read about all the steps involved in making a custom guitar

Thanks again for all your awesome support! Be sure to keep checking back here on the blog, as I do promise to keep profiling all the newest guitars and basses we make, as well as to get more in depth on the bass side of things! We are also still working on a few video projects we hope will see fruition soon.

- Combat Colin.