cmatthes

The Shishkov Guitars site got moved to a new server by the host yesterday. It is supposed to be much higher performing, etc., but took the site down temporarily. It should be up and fully running by now.

I thought that the TRC change was more about not aping Gibson and more forging a different identity for the brand. They changed to the "suppository" TRC in the mid '80s, and went through several changes in the 90s before settling on the one the ended up with at the end. I'm sure Frank U. Or Jol could answer that for sure.

The headstock has been refinned. That is NOT an original logo. It's kind of a messed up one - the fonts are all wrong.

No. I had a 1990 and a '95 that were featherweights. They didn't chamber until a decade later.

Everything is going to be just fine with a chambered body and the maple top/cap thickness Mike is going to use. It won't be too far off of a very familiar spec (in fact, possibly even more robust), and will be plenty adequate to manage any body chambering. Got that straight from the man himself, so all is right in the world again!

I've got these on mine - cool stuff.

There should be some of my personal and HFC picks in there somewhere from when it made the visit through Maryland!

Not currently for sale!

If he told you...

Exactly - this is more the "test bed" for the pickups Mike is having matched to the guitars in this run than a demonstration of the final specs.

I love it when a plan comes together!

Sweet!

The term "P.C." hadn't been DREAMED of back in 1979!

My guess is that Mike will have his own slogan/ saying before too long...

No catch phrase yet. Mike is just focusing on making the best guitars possible. The sawdust should start flying soon!

Thanks, TM!!

Please do not post emails here - personal addresses should be left to PMs so they don't become spam bait. You can email Mike directly at that address for details. Thanks!

I believe the original intent for limiting the finish options was to keep the costs down by "batch finishing" in as few colors as possible. By changing to non-standard finishes, you'll probably get a finish upcharge because of the additional costs involved in getting that done. If everybody ordered a different finish, the entry price becomes less and less do-able.

Get whichever one you won't refinish in a day glo '80s graphic.

Again...WAAAAY ahead of you!!

"Working Man's Guitar". Can also be a "Working Mother's Guitar"...

Like I said earlier...WAY ahead of ya there! We just need to get the spokesmodel to get a shot with it!

Well said - ideally, we'll get to see some "behind the scenes" updates once those become available...

Totally agree.

The deposits have been robust and the initial slots have been filled. Regarding future customs, time will tell who will pony up the serious cash when the rubber meets the road, just like in all situations. Plenty of tire kickers out there who like to spin wheels, that's for sure. Ultimately, the demand will be based upon the quality and relatively competitive (not "cheap") pricing of whatever Mike builds. The initial run is a one-time only below-normal pricing offer, but as I understand it, his goal is to offer the highest quality he can within a reasonable realm of possibility. In the end, the sub-$1,500 bargain shoppers will go elsewhere or wait 5-10 years for some of these to maybe hit the secondary markets. For the people who are serious about buying Mike's guitars now and in the future, I fully believe that they will be rewarded for it.