At the end of 2022 I decided to experiment with making factory guitars again. The last time I made factory guitars was in 2011. The reasoning is that I want to reach more lefty guitarists, those who ordinarily don't want to or are unable to spend four of five thousand dollars on a custom left hand guitar. And let's be honest: times are tough in this post-COVID world. Money is tight for everyone.
This is the new Gaskell Hybrid Series. New for 2023.
The first Hybrid Series guitars will be available by mid to late 2023. Some of these are brand new models that I have never done before. They are new designs. I am reintroducing a lefty Explorer and Firebird. I have come up with a unique headless guitar. I have a Tele style guitar with Floyd Rose tremolo, and a single pickup Fender style "workhorse" guitar.
Here is the frequently asked questions for my new Hybrid Series:
Why is this range of guitars called "Hybrid Series?"
The term "Hybrid" in this use refers to the manufacturing process. The guitars in this Series are "hybrid builds." They are the result of a hybrid manufacturing process.
What is "hybrid manufacturing?"
I use this term to describe a guitar that is manufactured in two locations, in this case China and Australia. The bodies of the Hybrid Series guitars are made and painted in China and either sent assembled or not assembled, depending on the model, to Australia where we finish them off here in Australia. Direct from the factory they are somewhat unplayable. Factories churn out products as fast as they can. They do not have time for more than a basic QC process. That doesn't mean they make bad products. The understanding is that new guitar setups are done by the shops or resellers at their point of destination. No guitar from China is playable "out of the box." There is a further three and a half hours of work that has to be done on every guitar after we get them. They all need full fret work and of course intonated and set up properly. Some need wiring. We don't do a "store setup." As with every Gaskell in history, each new guitar is set up to a standard of playability that you would expect from a professional-level instrument. A proper fret level and dress alone in Australia costs $350 or more. That is built into the price of the HYBRID Series.
What is the turnaround time for a HYBRID Series left-handed guitar?
90 days (after payment.)
How do I buy a Gaskell HYBRID Series left-handed guitar?
You can buy any of these models directly from this website from the FULL SPECIFICATIONS pages of each guitar or use the CONTACT US option on this website to order. All payments must be made by simple bank transfer. This is the safest method, for you and for us. International customers can easily pay in this same way. Full payment must be received before your guitar is produced. You will receive an invoice for your purchase and a receipt once payment has cleared. We do not accept Paypal.
What if I don't want my guitar set up?
A full new guitar setup is included in the stated price for these guitars. Each newly built guitar needs a proper setup, including fret work, for correct playability. However, if you are keen on doing your own setup and fret work we would happily let you have the guitar for just the price of the guitar only. We would ask you to purchase it by direct contact and not through the on line store as the on line store is not set up to deduct the $350 setup cost from your purchase. In that instance you will be required to sign a disclaimer. This is for our protection. The last thing we want is to have someone do a bad job setting up one of our guitars and then "complain" on line about how "bad" the guitar is. Of course you would not expect someone to do that but for every 20 people there is always one natural-born asshole. I have been around a long time.
What is the warranty period on a HYBRID Series guitar?
12 months. NOTE: Full warranty, terms and conditions, and returns policy are displayed on your sale invoice. If you select to not have your guitar set up by us some points of the warranty will be voided. Please keep this in mind if you are considering doing your own setup. Feel free to discuss. Use the CONTACT US form on this website.
What colours can I get?
All as per our COLOUR CHART here. (Note. I can add colours to the chart if they become a popular request but this will depend on how much support the lefty community gives us. If no one buys our guitars then we won't be able to make them. Money makes the world go round, not "love.")
Why are there no bursts on the Colour chart? Can I get a burst?
At this time I am only doing solid colours. Bursts are not available. In time, depending on how well received this relaunch is with the lefty community, I would like to offer bursts again. But for now, bursts add to the manufacturing costs and until we sell a bunch of guitars I am not prepared to wear the extra costs.
Why are there no HYBRID Series bass guitars?
At this time I have not found a factory that I am happy with that can build my previous bass models to my satisfaction. I do not have access to the factory I used to use. I very much want to offer lefty basses again. It is of the utmost importance to me to bring back XBASS and VBASS if I can. Now that Rickenbacker is making left handed guitars and basses again I will no longer the Gaskell Viking (left handed 4004 with Fender scale length.) I will produce some ordinary basses, this will depend on the capabilities of the factories I am using now.
Do these guitars need to be "upgraded?"
My new FRANKENSTARTER guitar sounds so good stock standard that I want to say no. The facts are that the HYBRID Series guitars are made with high quality and expensive tone woods, but unbranded mass-produced hardware and pickups, made in China for the most part. (Some parts are made in Korea.) They are the best quality I could negotiate to be able to keep the guitars at the price point they are at. To make that happen there had to be some cost cutting and that is where it was done. If you want to upgrade, you are free to do so. You might find that you don't need to. In the past I heard many times from lefties who thought they would have to upgrade the Wilkinson pickups that were standard in the Legacy Gaskells with something else, and then tell me that after playing and gigging with their guitar they were so impressed that they did not feel they needed to change them. A popular upgrade for a lot of guitarists, no matter the guitar or brand, is to upgrade to locking tuners. That is usually a matter of choice, not necessity or need. We sell cheaper unbranded locking tuners and expensive Schaller locking tuners. You can put either in your guitar if you want - or not. You can choose hardware and pickups from our ONLINE STORE page or supply your own.
If I had a set of pickups or other hardware that I would like installed in my guitar can I just send them to you to put in or do I have to buy the parts from you?
You can supply your own parts for upgrade. The ON LINE STORE is for your convenience but if you already have hardware or pickups then by all means send them to us to install.
What is the $100 Upgrades cost for? Does it include the pickups and/or hardware?
The $100 is the cost to install new pickups and hardware. This is an hourly rate. The price is for installation only. You need to buy the upgrades on top. You can choose some common upgrades from our ONLINE STORE page.
Are these guitars available internationally?
Yes.
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