Offset SC-2

[sirspens]

I'm a fan of the G&L SC-2, but I don't like that (a) it's not as comfortable to play because it's not offset and (b) it's a very small guitar. I am in the early stages of designing what will be an offset SC-2.

My concept is to redesign the body to resemble the SC-2, but be more the size of a Jazzmaster. Use the hardtail G&L saddle lock bridge, and of course the Jumbo MFD pickups.

I am also considering controlling the pickups with the dual 3-way switches of a Mustang, paying homage to the similarity of the body of the SC-2 to the Mustang, along with giving the heavier MDF pickups a sort of "choke" option.

At the moment I have two slightly different body designs I am playing with. Looking to see if anyone has a preference between the two, or any other constructive criticism:

[BoringPostcards]

That looks great. Cool idea. I was thinking they'd do something like this when the Doheny rumours started.
I would stick with the SC-2/Fallout/Doheny headstock shape though. This one seems too close to the ASAT headstock for this body shape.

[marqueemoon]

I like the second one better.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I like the second one better.

I was thinking just this. First one looks cool, but the upper horn is more Tele than SC-2, whereas the bottom looks like an SC-2 offsetted.

Don't know if I'm a huge fan of the plate or not though. It's probably look just as killer with a MusicMan bass plate:

[thatfenderguy]

It kind of reminds me of one of those Danelectro Dead-On ‘67s.

[InLimbo]

I like the second one, but I think it needs an offset type vibrato. Offset guitars without it always like strange to me.

And maybe make the bottom horn more vertical? Like a non-reverse Firebird.

[kosta]

I'd love to see the second one with the horns swooped slightly more forward and with a reversed headstock.

[bacca51]

This is super cool, but something about the lower bout by the control plate looks off to me. I think the transition is too steep and the bout goes to far away from the body.

[sirspens]

That looks great. Cool idea. I was thinking they'd do something like this when the Doheny rumours started.
I would stick with the SC-2/Fallout/Doheny headstock shape though. This one seems too close to the ASAT headstock for this body shape.

Me too. That's why I am doing it, because G&L didn't do it. And the headstock is actually pulled directly from a SC-2.

First one looks cool, but the upper horn is more Tele than SC-2, whereas the bottom looks like an SC-2 offsetted.

Don't know if I'm a huge fan of the plate or not though. It's probably look just as killer with a MusicMan bass plate

That's funny. The top one has the horns (upper and lower) of an SC-2, whereas the bottom one I took more liberty with, with a bit of a nod to the year the SC-2 looked a bit more like a Strat.

I designed the plate because (a) a lot of early G&Ls, including the SC-2, used plates and (b) as a nod to the design of the Fallout pickguard, which is based on a custom pickguard on some famous SC-2 that I can't remember. I've been playing around with keeping it simpler. The MusicMan plate would do that. And it would save some money.

It kind of reminds me of one of those Danelectro Dead-On ‘67s.

Yeah, I can see that. I love the Coral / Dead-On. I have one, in fact.

This is super cool, but something about the lower bout by the control plate looks off to me. I think the transition is too steep and the bout goes to far away from the body.

I can see that. But I kind of like it. I guess I have a soft spot for the Jag-stang.

Also... two suggestions to make changes that would make it closer to a Firebird? A reverse G&L headstock? That is interesting.

Thank you all for the feedback so far. Seems to be leaning toward the second option right now.

[sirspens]

This one seems too close to the ASAT headstock for this body shape.

Okay. You are right. I took some out of the lower curve. Which, does in fact, make it look more like the ASAT.

[BoringPostcards]

This one seems too close to the ASAT headstock for this body shape.

Okay. You are right. I took some out of the lower curve. Which, does in fact, make it look more like the ASAT.

The original hook design headstock used on the Nighthawk/Original Skyhawk/Original S-500 is what they use on the SC-2 and Doheny, I think. Not 100% sure, but it looks the same to me.

Edit: I was really disappointed when they reissued the SC-2, but took away the control plate for rear mounted controls. Rear mounted controls remind me of shredder guitars. It's alright on the newer F100 reissue, because the plate always looked odd without a pickguard. The SC/HG series though I find look so much better with that little control plate.

edit 2: I actually really like the Doheny, even though I was hoping they'd do something more like what you're working on. I plan on getting a Doheny as soon as I decide what colour and whether or not to go with the maple board with black blocks n binding or a simple rosewood with dots. Can't go wrong when the price of a custom ordered one still comes in cheaper than an AV65 for me (in Canada at least).

[sirspens]

I've been working on the design of my Offset SC-2. Two big developments:

1) I have been measuring the Jumbo MFD pickups and looking at them on my current guitars and realized that, although the bridge pickup is always angled (except for the first year of their use), the pole pieces are spaced such that it should not be. So, I have decided to not angle the bridge pickup.

2) I've been working on pickguards. No pickguard, but control plate. Fallout like pickguard. Fallout / Jazzmaster mashup. Jazzmaster / Fallout mashup.


Full size: http://cliftonstuckey.com/guitars/offsc2/pickguards.png

Part of the decision here is, do I want to have a rhythm circuit. I think I do. I think the neck Jumbo MFD pickup would very much benefit from it, and gives more versatility to the guitar. Though, it does start leaning more toward a Jazzmaster at this point, and less of an Offset SC-2.

[hpr_hpr]

To me it looks best with the pickguards with the rhythm circuit with the brown body slightly more appealing (though not in color) ... promably because of the diagonal line? It seems to make the lower bout less 'jarring'. Suggestion: try a mockup with something along the line of a split JM pickguard?

[marqueemoon]

I like the top two best.

[Embenny]

I love the pickguards on the middle two!