Order Process
Idea
Already know what you want? Great! If not, feel free to browse the completed builds or contact me and we will figure it out together.
Below there is a list of options available for customization.
Deposit
There is no need to pay the whole price upfront. A $500 deposit is all that is needed to get started with your build. The rest you can pay at your convenience while I'm building your guitar.
3D Model
After the order is placed, I will build a virtual model of your guitar. This allows you to see what you'll get before anything is set in stone (or wood in this case ;)
Building
Upon approval of the model I will start building and you'll get regular updates as I make progress on your guitar.
Play
Now it is your turn, what music will you create with your verry own unique instrument?
Lead Time
Good things take time. Depending on the complexity of your build and how many other guitars are due to be built, the time from placing the order to a finished guitar is 3-6 Months. Please note that this is my best estimate, but not a guarantee.
The Available Models
There are currently two main models on offer, the Alchemist and the Necromancer. They both come in 6, 7, and 8-String variants and can be customized to fit your playing style and aesthetic preferences. Upon request I can also build completely custom builds, so if the Alchemist and Necromancer are not your style, please reach out directly. I can also build any guitar as a lefty version.
Alchemist
6-String: starting at 1700 CHF (approx. $1950 USD or 1800 Euro)
7-String: starting at 1775 CHF
8-String: starting at 1850 CHF
for 9 or more strings please contact me directly
Necromancer
6-String: starting at 1800 CHF (approx. $2050 USD or 1900 Euro)
7-String: starting at 1875 CHF
8-String: starting at 1950 CHF
for 9 or more strings please contact me directly
*The base price includes a fixed bridge, single humbucker pickup, and natural wood or solid color in a matte open-pore finish. All my builds come standard with carbon-fiber neck reinforcement, 24 stainless steel frets, Luminlay side dots, and included gig bag.
Also please note the pictures shown are not base configurations but feature various upgrades.
Hardware
We like to use headless hardware from Nova Guitarparts, but on request other hardware can be used. For a small extra charge the color of the hardware can be customized.
Tremolo and Fixed bridge options by Technology For Musicians (T4M) are available at a surcharge of 150chf over the Nova price.
Fixed Bridge
Included in the base price it is comfortable to play and easy to change tuning.
Tremolo
For more expressive freedom all models can be equipped with a tremolo bridge.
Extra charge Nova: 150 CHF
Extra charge Sophia: from 350 CHF
Electronics
Arguably the biggest contribution to tone, the pickup selection is a very personal one. For this reason there is no default options, but you have free choice of anything that is available on the market.
Single Pickup
If you only ever use the bridge pickup, why pay for a neck pickup?
The base price includes models from EMG, DiMarzio, or Dark Art Guitars. For a quote with your personal favorite, please reach out directly.
Dual Humbucker
The most versatile option, allowing you to get a wide range of different sounds with a flick of a switch. Depending on the model, 3 or 5-Way switch, or coil-tap functionality with a push-pull knob can be added.
The price for HH configurations starts at 75 CHF, but please reach out for a quote on your favorite set.
HSS and other configurations
Naturally Dark Art Guitars can not just play metal but any genre. Upon request HSS or other pickup configurations are also available.
Customization
While there are certain default options for an Alchemist build, just about anything can be customized upon request. Below are some common options you might want to change.
Scale Length
Default:
6-String: 25-25.5in
7-String: 25.5-26.5in
8-String: 25.5-27in
Extra charge for custom scale: 100 CHF
Inlay
Either as an aid for finding your way round the fretboard, or just for aesthetic value, inlay provides many interesting options. The base price includes a Dark Art Guitars logo on the first fret, as well as a choice of position markers. The color can also be chosen for free. Naturally it is also possible to not have any inlay.
Default options:
- Circles (center, left, or offset)
- Dots
- Block
Extra charge for custom inlay depends on design and material. Simple 12th fret designs start at 100 CHF. Larger and more intricate designs start at 200 CHF.
Available Woods
The backbone and soul of any guitar, there are endless different choices for body and neck woods. Some of the have characteristic sounds they are know for, while others just look plain stunning.
At Dark Art Guitars there is virtually no limit on what woods you can choose for your build, but below is a list of some common options and how much they add to the price of the instrument.
Please reach out directly to find out what exotic and domestic woods are in stock at the moment.
Body Woods
Ash
Ash has very pronounced grain that gives a unique texture to your guitar. It can also be stained any color you like.
Options:
- European/Swiss Ash
- Swamp Ash (50 CHF)
Padauk
With it's stunning color ranging from orange to red with streaks of brown Padauk is definitely a looker! It is slightly heavier than some other woods, but still manageable.
Extra charge: 50 CHF
Alder
Alder is quite smooth in appearance and feel. It is also fairly light, making it perfect for painted guitars.
No extra charge
Mahogany
Mahogany barely needs an introduction, it is one of the most common guitar woods. It is fairly light weight and light brown to slightly orange in color, but can be stained to appear more red.
Options:
- Sapele
- Khaya
Black Limba
Another visually stunning wood with a good light and dark contrast. It is also fairly light weight.
Extra charge: 50 CHF
Something else?
This is just a small selection of available body woods, so if you have something else in mind, feel free to reach out.
Top Woods
It is quite common practice to add a thin layer of an especially beautifully figured wood on top of the body wood. This allows for the look of woods that would be too expensive, too heavy, or otherwise impractical to use as a body wood. For additional contrast a thin layer of a very dark wood (wenge) can be added between the top wood and the body wood (50 CHF extra charge).
Below is a list of some available options. Due to the sheer number of possibilities it is best you reach out to me directly if you're interested in a custom top, then I can show you what I have in stock and what I can get in for you.
Poplar
Poplar comes in many different patterns from burl with lots of intertwined spots to wild flame that has a bit more character than maple. Poplar can also be stained any color to create the exact look you're going for.
Extra charge: 100 CHF
Maple
By far the most common top wood for guitars, maple is also available in many different patterns like flame, quilt, or burl. Due to it's light coloration it can be stained very vibrantly in any color imaginable.
Extra charge: 150-250 CHF
Buckeye Burl
Some of the most unbelievable patterns nature has to offer, this wood is truly unique. The color ranges from white to yellow, brown, grey and almost blue.
Extra charge: 300 CHF
Curly Mango
Not just a delicious fruit, but the wood can also show beautifully flamed pattern in vibrant reddish brown coloration.
Extra charge: 200 CHF
Neck Woods
The options for neck woods are also plentiful. The base price of the guitar includes a single or 3-Piece neck construction form standard woods with carbon fiber reinforcement. For a small surcharge 5-Piece or more necks are also possible as well as the use of all kinds of premium woods. Below are some options, but feel free to reach out with your own ideas.
Upgrade options:
- 5-Piece Neck (from 25 CHF)
- 7-Piece Neck (from 50 CHF)
Standard Woods:
- Wenge
- Mahogany
- Maple
Premium Woods:
- Flamed Maple
- Purpleheart
- Padauk
- Walnut
- Ovangkol
E.g. 7-Piece Wenge/Maple Neck
Fretboard Woods
While black ebony is the standard for fretboard wood, there are also many other options available. Below is a small selection.
Ebony
Dark and elegant, ebony is the obvious choice for an understated fretboard. Some pieces will have streaks of dark brown, while others are completely black.
Black and White (Pale Moon) Ebony
Also known as Pale Moon Ebony, this option already has the inlay done by mother nature. The high contrast makes for a truly striking option.
Extra Charge: 100 CHF
Sonowood Flamed Maple
The light colored counterpart to ebony, flamed maple combines elegance with natural beauty. Sonowood takes real Maple and goes through a high pressure process to increase its hardness and improve the tone.
Extra Charge: 75 CHF
Ziricote
A beautifully patterned dark wood that will elevate any build. Depending on the piece you can almost find maps in the naturally occurring coloration.
Extra Charge: 25 CHF
Thoroughly confused or ready to order?
I am happy to answer any questions you have, just shoot me an email or a DM on Instagram.