Is there a demand for custom/replica metal parts?

[MattAnonymous]

I have to choose to either work at a metal shop or day care this summer.  The metal shop pays less, but it's obviously more fun and I have the ability to make custom metal guitar parts.  I wanted to know if there was a market for custom or replica metal guitar parts.  I would need some essential dimensions, a tracing, or the original part that would need to be replicated.  I've already made pickguards out of aluminum and stainless steel that I have polished to a mirror finish.  Someone had asked about brass tremolo blocks (which I can make).  Items that I see an interest in would be replicas of vintage parts out of the vintage metals, such as brass.  I can also make bridges out of different metals to accomodate different pickups.  Please let me know what you guys think because I must decide soon.  I'm also working at the machine shop to get experience for mechanical engineering, which I plan on majoring in at UCF soon.  I can also make boxes for effects.

Thanks,
Matt

[bobbletrox]

I'd say there'd be alot of demand for Big Muff/Small Stone sized enclosures if you could make them.

[Gilles C]

I would say, go get some experience, and have fun at the same time.

Experience is worth something when it's in the domain you want to work later.

Money does's stay follow you, experience does  

[Gilles C]

I meant: Money doesn't follow you, experience does  :oops:

[Ed G.]

I'd pick the metal shop, unless you're really dying to be around crying kids. Let me tell you, I wipe the snot off my 10-month-old's nose, change her diapers, and wipe up the occasional spit-up, but she's MY baby. I don't think I could do that for other kids, and definitely not a whole bunch of them.
I think the experience you get from working the metal shop could help you later on in life as well. It never hurts to get practical working experience. That can pay off down the road, even if it doesn't pay immediately.
Plus, the bonus of making cool guitar parts and enclosures. I'd go for it.

PS: Callaham makes american std. bridge blocks out of UNS 1018 cold rolled steel for $58. Can you beat that? He sez the steel should have no lead in it...

[Adam Shame]

I feel that if you make some kind of enclosures, you will probably do really well around here.

[ErikMiller]

Take the machine shop, for heaven's sake!

Learning how to actually operate machinery is invaluable. Especially if you are planning on majoring in mechanical engineering at university.

It may be your last opportunity in a while to actually touch a drill press :-).

[downweverything]

i need a replica of a bridge for a vintage japanese bass.  if you think you can do it at a decent price im interested.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

If you ever intend to have children of your own, the daycare might be pretty educational :shock:
One metal thing that might be useful, is a gadget like a mike stand, so your fx can be put up in the air so you can tweak them without bending (handy for those 14 knob 4MS specials!)
maybe in & out leads go to plug in at the stand base, then come out at the flat bit on top.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Actually, forget the kids & make an equivalent of the EH Hotfoot! (with the flexible drive that enables you to turn pots by rocker footpedal, as shown here: http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:jjwp02-PmnAJ:www.bostonguitar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv%3FScreen%3DPROD%26Store_Code%3DBGWI%26Product_Code%3DNUE-JG-KK%26Category_Code%3DNUE-JG+EH+hotfoot&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[toneman]

EH Hotfoot, nice idea.
never seen B4  (?)
thanx!! 4 the NFO!!

metal working is a skill U can always use either as $$$ or hobby.
ALL jobs give U experience.
Not all jobs give U a Skill.
Skills R in demand.  Especially coupled with experience.
R U experienced?
have U ever been experienced?
Well, I have....
sheetmetal:  body& fender...
leads to painting guitars....and cars...
mechanics:  automotive, general....
leads to personal transportation and house repair.....
electronics:  computers, automotive, industrial...
leads to house repair, stompboxes, electric vehicles....
*Always* will B a need for skilled metalworkers!!!
later, U can teach children your skills...
the ultimate form of recycling!!!
life is THE education. Use it wisely.
never stop learning!!!!
always staytuned
peace
tone

[dr]

....why not some racks and gears for wah-wahs?.....enclosures are always nice.....

[MattAnonymous]

If you guys can email me a rough sketch and some dimensions I can make the enclosures fairly cheap out of aluminum.  As for the bass trem, I'll need something to go by and it all depends on how accurate you'd like it to be.  If you want an exact replica I must have an original shape.  Thanks for the replies.  My email is propolishing@premierappraisals.net

[Doug B.]

This might be a bit mundane or too simple, but i... and from what i've gathered, other guitarists... would be interested in flat jack plates for Strats.  We would then be able to more easily use plug-in buffer/efx boxes.  

- Doug

[javacody]

Here's a vote for working at the daycare. Maybe you'll replace some loser who won't take good care of the kids? You could teach the kids about music.  

If you look at which one will help you grow more SPIRITUALLY, then you'll make the right choice.  

[Ed G.]

What about wah enclosures? If there's something we can't get right now, it's that. If you made a batch of them, I bet they'd sell like hotcakes.

[MattAnonymous]

I thought about the wah enclosures and figured that it wouldn't be that hard, but then I thought about having to integrate the rocker.  Not to mention adding a pot mechanism.  I'd have to charge too much.  I keep thinking though.  Maybe there's an easier way.