Journalist Tool

Kineticist

  • HDashboard
  • IItems
  • ↓Ingest
  • SSources
  • KBeats
  • BBriefs
  • RIntel
  • QSearch
  • NName Review
  • +Health

v0.1.0

← Back to items

These Pinball Guitars Are Incredible!

LoserKid YouTube·video·57m 30s·held·Feb 26, 2026
View original

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.028

TL;DR

Sithar Guitars builds high-end custom guitars using salvaged pinball playfields; showcases designs and discusses market growth.

Summary

Josh RP and Scott Larson interview Daniel Clark of Sithar Guitars about custom guitars built from salvaged pinball machine playfields. Daniel discusses the company's origin, guitar-making process, and showcases two custom pinball guitars (Earthshaker and Silver Ball Mania). The conversation covers design philosophy, technical challenges, and future plans including guitars from Evil Knievel, Guns & Roses, Centigrade 37, Night Rider, and a One Piece anime shark guitar recreation.

Key Claims

  • Sithar has approximately 30 playfields in inventory, plus another 15 not yet listed online

    high confidence · Daniel Clark discussing inventory during interview

  • Current wait time for pinball guitar builds is approximately 6 months, with pre-bookings extending to end of year

    high confidence · Daniel Clark explaining production timeline and booking schedule

  • Sithar received approximately 12 orders from Pinball Expo (their first major show appearance)

    high confidence · Daniel Clark discussing Pinball Expo results

  • The shark guitar project (One Piece anime character) took approximately 1.5 years to develop and involved custom pickups and 3D design challenges

    high confidence · Daniel Clark detailing shark guitar development process

  • Manufacturers (Stern, Jersey Jack, others) confirmed they have playfield seconds/dings-and-dents that cannot be used in games but are available for guitar projects

    high confidence · Daniel Clark describing conversations with manufacturers at Pinball Expo

Notable Quotes

  • “Stherraa is essentially Greek for guitar...we were fighting for domains and online space, so I put it out on Facebook and a buddy from college came up with the idea”

    Daniel Clark@ 2:56 — Explains origin of company name and branding strategy

  • “These really are a guitar first and they're a custom shop guitar first and the playfields are an added little bonus on top”

    Daniel Clark@ 13:40 — Core design philosophy: functional instrument first, aesthetic second

  • “We're a full-fledged custom shop. We build right from rough cut lumber through to finishing and assembly. It's all done in-house.”

    Daniel Clark@ 12:51 — Business model and production approach

  • “If you find a playfield, that's kind of the limiting factor really...we actually went through your existing playfields and I chose Silver Ball”

    Daniel Clark@ 19:25 — Playfield sourcing as primary bottleneck for production

  • “The shark guitar...took about a year and a half to pull together...there was enough information online that we could kind of build it out”

    Daniel Clark@ 26:34 — Custom reconstruction of rare/unavailable designs from reference materials

  • “Most of our orders that are coming in now are slotted for the fall. If it's a pinball build, you can pretty much guarantee a six-month wait”

    Daniel Clark@ 32:28 — Current production capacity constraints and booking timeline

Entities

Daniel ClarkpersonJosh RPpersonScott LarsonpersonSithar GuitarscompanyLoser Kid Pinball PodcastorganizationPinball ExpoeventEarthshakergame

Signals

  • ?

    product_launch: Sithar Guitars made their first major public appearance and market entry at Pinball Expo, receiving approximately 12 orders and positive reception from all major pinball manufacturers present

    high · Daniel Clark: 'This year was sort of like our big launch of these guitars... at Pinball Expo this year... we thought if we're going to try to take these guitars to market, let's take it to market and let's take it to where the people are... thankfully it went really well'

  • ?

    technology_signal: Sithar developed custom controller boards and lighting integration technology to incorporate working LED light inserts from pinball playfields into guitar body designs, overcoming electrical interference challenges

    high · Daniel Clark: 'we've gone through many different iterations of our controller boards... we know that we can only be within a certain proximity to the pickups because if not, we get interference'

  • ?

    supply_chain_signal: Pinball manufacturers confirmed availability of playfield seconds/dings-and-dents that cannot be used in production games, providing sustainable supply for guitar projects; includes partnerships with salvage operators and restoration shops

    high · Daniel Clark: 'all of the manufacturers... said to us like there are so many playfields that are a second or they're a ding and dent and like we can't use them because they can't put them in the games... almost every release of a game has ding and dents or seconds'

  • ?

    manufacturing_signal: Sithar Guitars is currently pre-booked almost to end of year with 6-month wait times for new orders; pinball builds take 4-6 months depending on complexity

    high · Daniel Clark: 'we're booked we're pre-booked almost to the end of the year right now... you can pretty much guarantee a six-month wait on it... we sort of block four to six months for a build time'

Transcript

youtube_auto_sub · $0.000

0:07
[music] Thanks for tuning in to Loser Kid Pinball Podcast. I am Josh RP with me my co- captain Scott Larson. >> And Scott, it's been kind of a crazy
0:14
And Scott, it's been kind of a crazy
0:14
And Scott, it's been kind of a crazy time for pinball and it's been pretty awesome. And if you want a Pokemon, who are you calling? >> Yeah, call Zach and Cole mini a flipping
0:20
Yeah, call Zach and Cole mini a flipping
0:20
Yeah, call Zach and Cole mini a flipping out pinball. And definitely I think the less are gone. But uh if you want to get a pro or premium, it does look fantastic. This is a huge license and I I'm actually really excited to get this game cuz it looks like a great entry level game for people who to who have never played pinball before to get into the the hobby. Uh and with Tanya, you know, it's going to have deep code, too. So, even if you're an elite player, it's going to be great. So, Zach and Nicole mini flipping out pinball. Also, uh your accessories and if you want used games, too, reach them out. >> Definitely go check out their Facebook
Silver Ball Mania
game
Guns and Rosesgame
Evil Knievelgame
Centigrade 37game
Night Ridergame
Jersey Jack Pinballcompany
One Pieceproduct
Pat Lawlerperson
Caseyperson
Fathomgame
Lato School of Luthieryorganization
Mohawk Collegeorganization
CPR (Classic Playfield Reproductions)company
  • ?

    design_innovation: Sithar developed process for recreating missing playfield light inserts by sourcing original artwork packages, UV printing, and aging/relicing to match patina of salvaged playfields; eliminates limitation on which playfields can be used

    high · Daniel Clark: 'we recreating all of the artwork for those lights... pulled from an artwork package... UV printed onto the lights... aged and relicked the plastic and the printing on it so that it matches kind of the patina'

  • ?

    design_philosophy: Sithar operates as functional guitar manufacturer first; playfield aesthetics are secondary; all guitars must play, function, and meet professional standards before aesthetic customization

    high · Daniel Clark: 'These really are a guitar first and they're a custom shop guitar first and the playfields are an added little bonus... they still have to play. They still have to be able to function'

  • $

    market_signal: Pinball guitar project generating strong demand from intersection of pinball enthusiasts and guitar collectors; popular designs (Evil Knievel, Guns & Roses) have pre-orders extending months out

    high · Daniel Clark: 'Evil Knievel... if we could just make a hundred of those we'd be selling them every day... people really are drawn to those'

  • ?

    collector_signal: Sithar successfully recreated limited-edition Japanese One Piece anime shark guitar that is sold out and unavailable on secondary market; custom pickups and 3D design required 18-month development

    high · Daniel Clark on shark guitar: 'took about a year and a half to pull together... nobody has them is holding on to them... we were able to find a lot of drawings and pictures of the guitar online and from that we built the guitar'

  • ?

    community_signal: Manufacturers (Stern, Jersey Jack, and others) actively supporting Sithar's pinball guitar initiative; demonstrated willingness to provide playfield seconds and collaborate on custom projects

    high · Daniel Clark: 'all of the manufacturers... had caught wind that we were going to be there... they did come over and sort of make a point to say hi... they've all said to us like there are so many playfields that are a second'

  • ?

    content_signal: Loser Kid Pinball Podcast featuring full episode dedicated to Sithar Guitars; hosts are end-customers (Josh RP with Earthshaker guitar, Scott Larson with Silver Ball Mania guitar)

    high · Josh RP and Scott Larson hosting episode showcasing their own custom guitars and interviewing Daniel Clark

  • ?

    design_innovation: Sithar developed template/viewfinder system to evaluate and select optimal areas of playfields for guitar body designs; allows assessment of color, composition, and visual impact

    medium · Daniel Clark: 'we have these um templates in the shop and um we can like kind of like viewfinders that we can place on the playfields and kind of figure out the nicest area to to locate the guitars on'

  • 0:53
    Definitely go check out their Facebook
    0:53
    Definitely go check out their Facebook page and they have a whole list of everything they have in inventory right now. And Zach confirmed on Pinball Show that the whole first run is sold out for Pokemon. And the second run in June is starting to uh sell out as well. So >> yeah, I I may need to get on the list. I
    1:08
    yeah, I I may need to get on the list. I
    1:08
    yeah, I I may need to get on the list. I I'm actually looking at getting a premium. So I I need to I need to put my name in, but we want to make sure you guys are taken care of first. So reach out to Zach and Nicole. >> Definitely. We have an amazing guest on
    1:20
    Definitely. We have an amazing guest on
    1:20
    Definitely. We have an amazing guest on today. Uh, I met this man a couple years ago and we had this brilliant idea of making a loser kid guitar and I was so excited about this because I come from a music background and so I reached out to him and he he was all gung-ho for this and he's made these insane guitars out of playfields of pinball machines. And so I want to welcome on to the show Daniel Clark. How you doing, Daniel? >> I'm good guys. Thanks so much for having
    1:47
    I'm good guys. Thanks so much for having
    1:47
    I'm good guys. Thanks so much for having me. This is great. I almost messed that up and said Daniel Satara. Where did Okay. Where did the name >> Yeah, that's what I want to get into.
    1:54
    Yeah, that's what I want to get into.
    1:54
    Yeah, that's what I want to get into. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. Yeah. No problem. >> Tell tell me about tell me about the
    1:57
    Tell tell me about tell me about the
    1:57
    Tell tell me about tell me about the guitar company that you have and tell me about the origin of the name. >> Yeah. So, Stherraa is essentially Greek
    2:05
    Yeah. So, Stherraa is essentially Greek
    2:05
    Yeah. So, Stherraa is essentially Greek for guitar. >> Oh,
    2:07
    Oh,
    2:08
    Oh, >> in in yeah, in a nutshell. So, lots of
    2:12
    in in yeah, in a nutshell. So, lots of
    2:12
    in in yeah, in a nutshell. So, lots of um builders and smaller shops will always use sort of their name or an abbreviation of their name, Taylor and Fender and um you know Gibson and and stuff like that. There were >> TRS. Yeah.
    2:24
    TRS. Yeah.
    2:24
    TRS. Yeah. >> Yeah. Abs. Yeah, absolutely. They all
    2:26
    Yeah. Abs. Yeah, absolutely. They all
    2:26
    Yeah. Abs. Yeah, absolutely. They all they all typically do. When I was looking to start the shop, there were a few other um sort of smaller shops uh or or other custom shops that had my name or an abbreviation of my name or were using my initials too. And I thought, gosh, this is going to be challenging even just to get a website and just to kind of get that space online when you're already fighting for domains. Um, so I put it out uh on Facebook actually and I said this is if if anybody has any suggestions, I'm sort of all ears and a buddy of mine from from college actually came up with the idea and he said this is sort of what it is. This is what it means. Um, and I thought it was kind of neat. So with it sort of being of a Greek origin um we first sort of started making models after Greek gods and goddesses and we kind of pulled in the Greek mythology into the whole sort of theme of the company. So we made a Poseidon and a Hades model um an Aphrodite and a Zeus. Um our our telly line is um sort of named the Pegasus line and the the logo for um the company is a is a Pegasus as well too. I found that the name is hard for people to kind of get under their tongue initially and it's a little hard for them to remember it but they always remember the logo. So they they'll always sort of remember the Pegasus logo and then the name kind of follows suit after that. >> So tell me how did you decide first off
    4:09
    So tell me how did you decide first off
    4:09
    So tell me how did you decide first off I am taking a pinball machine and I'm chopping it up and turning into a guitar >> and did you always decide you want to be
    4:15
    and did you always decide you want to be
    4:16
    and did you always decide you want to be in guitar making or did you kind of fall into it? >> Um
    4:22
    Um
    4:22
    Um guitar had always been a a part of my life. I play guitar since I was about six years old I think. I was starting started to take lessons. Always as a hobby and a pastime, never really as a a profession. Um I was originally thinking of going to school for architecture and design. Um loved home building. I woodworking. I I had always done growing up out in the country. You're always kind of working on stuff and building things. and I can I know code, can build decks, can sort of build whatever, but my struggle was with the uh math and the the physics. uh I couldn't get them quick enough and I was always struggling with the theoretical part of it and I thought this is going to be challenging if if I'm needing to get tutored this much and all this extra help to understand the concept to go into a profession um like this this could be challenging and I don't know why I thought of it but I thought I could look at music and I could look at guitar and sort of seeing what that might hold. So, so I ended up going to school for music. I was a a guitar a guitar student uh with the intention of sort of getting into studio work and doing recording studio stuff and being a session player. Um, and while I was at school, I discovered the whole world of custom guitar making and hot rodding and modding guitars. I had done stuff to my guitars here and there, but nothing of any substance. Um, but then I kind of found this industry and I was like, "Oh, this could be really cool." Sort of combining the love of the instrument, but then you have the design work, you have the building, you have the carpentry, you have the the woodworking. Um, so once I had finished uh my time, it was um Mohawk College was where I went. Um once I had finished my time there, I looked for building schools like there are sort of independent sort of private type schools um that you can get your certification as a builder and the the terms a luier is sort of like the trade I guess. So I finished my time at the college. Um, I took a couple of business courses as well while I was there. And then I went to the Lato School of Luther and Lato guitars were really big in the 70s and 80s. More of a Canadian brand. Um, sort of like big hair, big rock, like Iron Maiden, Honeymoon Sweet, Platinum Blonde, that kind of stuff. Um and he was a master craftsman from Vienna or trained in Vienna from Croatia. So he had developed a program and a school to train builders and to sort of certify Luier sort of under his umbrella of a company and and of his name. So that was about four months or so um that I was there with him and we were 5 days a week 9 to5 building repairing um and I sort of got my certificate and stamp of approval from him. Uh and then went to go start my own shop and I've since uh I'm a fender technician, a tailor technician. Um, so we're a a warranty service shop for all of the big US brands here in Canada as well. So that's sort of how I sort of got into the industry as for the pinball guitars. This idea was brought to us by a a client who is now who has since become a really good friend of ours. Um, and you guys met him at at the expo, too. He was there with me at at the booth, Casey. and he had an old Fathom Playfield that he had had for years and years uh that he had done a a playfield swap on and he was a guitar player too or is a guitar player too and he said, "Hey, do you think this is something that we could do?" Uh I was like, "Oh man, we need to try because this could be this could be really cool." So, we did the first one with him and that was sort of our prototype to figure out if we could do it and and it came out really well. Um, obviously a few things we wanted to to work on and sort of um sort of work the kinks out on. So, from there we kind of took 4 years to develop them to what you guys have behind you. Um, we were doing a few here and there. um but not pushing it anywhere near to the way that we are are now. So um yeah, that's sort of how we how we got into this. There's a guy in uh there's another small builder that's doing some stuff and Fender did one too. Um they did a oneoff one, but nobody's really doing them the way that we're we're doing them. >> So Josh, why don't you uh So now this is
    9:38
    So Josh, why don't you uh So now this is
    9:38
    So Josh, why don't you uh So now this is going to be a little visual. So, it we're going to post links uh to Okay, remind me how to pronounce it. Stherraa. >> Stherra.
    9:47
    Stherra.
    9:47
    Stherra. >> Stherra.
    9:47
    Stherra.
    9:47
    Stherra. >> Okay.
    9:48
    Okay.
    9:48
    Okay. >> Yeah.
    9:48
    Yeah.
    9:48
    Yeah. >> Stherra. So, we'll we'll show the
    9:50
    Stherra. So, we'll we'll show the
    9:50
    Stherra. So, we'll we'll show the guitars, but I want Josh to actually pull out. So, Josh got an Earthshaker guitar. And so, I want him to show it off and and try to uh to show exactly why he chose Earth Shaker and and and what what cool things he did to it. >> So, like it's Earth Shaker. Why why
    10:07
    So, like it's Earth Shaker. Why why
    10:08
    So, like it's Earth Shaker. Why why wouldn't you want an earthshaker pin pinball guitar, you know? It's um if you know anything about classic guitars, like this blue/ like seafoam green is, you know, is just classic guitar color and it matched so well. I know Daniel and I worked closely on trying to match kind of the the aesthetic of what the the art was. And uh the funny part is one of the reasons I landed on Earth Shaker is because if you look here in the center, it has a gentleman with a black hair and then the girl that's blonde and they're riding out in the pink Cadillac and my wife's like that's kind of like us and so it just kind of stuck. And another funny part, too, it says flip out as the license plate. >> But I mean it's just I saw this and I've
    10:53
    But I mean it's just I saw this and I've
    10:53
    But I mean it's just I saw this and I've always wanted a less Paul and I was like this just looks screams less Paul to me. And when I reached out to Daniel, he's like, "Yes, 100%." Like that's And even at one point, I I think we bounced a little bit. I was like, "Really? Do you think a telly would be better?" You're like, "No, no, this is meant to be a less Paul, you know." >> Yeah. And some certainly definitely lend
    11:12
    Yeah. And some certainly definitely lend
    11:12
    Yeah. And some certainly definitely lend themselves to to certain body styles and and that was a less Paul. Same same with same with yours though, Scott. [snorts] >> Yeah.
    11:19
    Yeah.
    11:19
    Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I'll show mine off. Oh, go
    11:21
    Yeah. So, I'll show mine off. Oh, go
    11:22
    Yeah. So, I'll show mine off. Oh, go finish up, Josh. Now, I'll show them. >> So, so we kind of kept all the old
    11:25
    So, so we kind of kept all the old
    11:25
    So, so we kind of kept all the old vintagey of it um with the the posts that you know, the playfield stayed rough and whatnot. Uh, but the I love how much you were willing to customize this because I wanted I I come from more of a punk/metal background and so I wanted the humuckers but also I still wanted a split coil to get that that that feel of maybe like a a a Stratacastaster or whatever on at the bridge and you were like yeah not a big deal like we can whatever you want to do and you know um it just I don't know it came out great. It sounds wonderful. The other thing I love about too is it like the weight of it is good too. I uh one thing I do get I don't I don't know how many people listening have played less Paul's but they can be kind of heavy and chunky and this doesn't feel like that at all. And then you guys were nice enough too. You got Pat Lawler >> to sign the back of it too next to his
    12:20
    to sign the back of it too next to his
    12:20
    to sign the back of it too next to his name. I mean you guys did such a just an amazing job on this guitar all the way around. It just feels so professional. So well I mean you guys are professionals. I mean, this just this is amazing. It really truly is. You guys did a great job with it. >> Thanks. And I think like a big thing
    12:36
    Thanks. And I think like a big thing
    12:36
    Thanks. And I think like a big thing that we're really proud of um with those guitars is that they like we are a custom shop through and through. We are we are a full-fledged custom shop. We build right from rough cut lumber um through to finishing and assembly. It's all done inhouse. It's all custom spec to what the client is looking for. And these pinball guitars are they're no different. Um I always remember >> I used to and I still do watch like
    13:07
    I used to and I still do watch like
    13:07
    I used to and I still do watch like Orange County Choppers and stuff like that where they would do those um bikes for companies >> and they looked awesome and they're
    13:15
    and they looked awesome and they're
    13:15
    and they looked awesome and they're really cool and they do the big display and stuff. I heard a lot of the times there were always issues with them like they they were sort of falling apart or they weren't really roadw worthy. They were definitely more of a showpiece and I never wanted that for these guitars. Like these really are a guitar first and they're a custom shop guitar first and the playfields are an added little bonus on top like it. Yeah, there. So, we we build them out how how guys want them. Same with like the inlays on the on the fingerboard there. We'll do the custom inlay work. Um and that's of of the the logo of the podcast, too. >> Um and there's a shot of it right there.
    14:01
    Um and there's a shot of it right there.
    14:01
    Um and there's a shot of it right there. And and I was over the moon when you guys said, "Yeah, we we could do that." Like, let me Well, first off, you said, "Let me let me see if I can do it." because you're like you didn't want to make any promises, but it came out it just came out so perfect on the >> Yeah, it's so cool.
    14:15
    Yeah, it's so cool.
    14:15
    Yeah, it's so cool. >> Yeah. And and and to me like I grew up
    14:17
    Yeah. And and and to me like I grew up
    14:17
    Yeah. And and and to me like I grew up in 2000's rock and stuff like that. So it that was kind of when they started doing fret work like this, right? Like having the custom inlay and I always remember like Ryan from store of the year, he had like heart done across his and I was like it would always be cool to have a custom guitar with a custom inlay like that. So when you said, "Yeah, let's do it." I was like really? like [laughter] you you sealed the deal. It was wonderful. >> Yeah. No, they're so they're so cool.
    14:42
    Yeah. No, they're so they're so cool.
    14:42
    Yeah. No, they're so they're so cool. And even with the color, too, like we try to pick a color that complements the playfield or that's that's from the playfield. Um, and that blue was great because it was it's prominent, but it's not overpowering like the green or or that even that darker blue that's there. Um because sometimes too that that takes away from the guitar when the colors like a little bit too overpowering. Um and we mix all the colors like it is yeah it's a I guess kind of like a Daphne blue but it's a it's a custom color cuz we tinted it and and sort of tweaked it a little bit to get it as close as we could to what was on that that playfield there. >> Yeah. And and you matched it great. I
    15:27
    Yeah. And and you matched it great. I
    15:27
    Yeah. And and you matched it great. I think it it turned out even it's hard to see in the video but like it's on the back you kind of >> uh antiqu it and so it has more of a
    15:35
    uh antiqu it and so it has more of a
    15:35
    uh antiqu it and so it has more of a crackly feel to it you know. >> Yeah because and that's that's all
    15:40
    Yeah because and that's that's all
    15:40
    Yeah because and that's that's all intentionally done because the playfields that we get are all salvaged. They're all from games that have been uh retopped or had playfield swaps done to them. So they've got years and years and years of gameplay on them. And like Scots especially like Scots is is worn. Um you can show them there. >> Okay. I'm going to show you mine now.
    16:03
    Okay. I'm going to show you mine now.
    16:03
    Okay. I'm going to show you mine now. And the thing I do love about it >> is it is Silver Ball Mania and I love
    16:10
    is it is Silver Ball Mania and I love
    16:10
    is it is Silver Ball Mania and I love the art. It's very 70s pinball overthe-top. Um it is interesting because my my even when my wife saw it, she's like, "What's with the naked people on there?" I'm like, "No, they're silver people." Yeah. So, that's why she kept she let me keep it. But if you look at it, it's it's worn here. It looks so amazing. And it has the lights that you uh Now, the cool thing about these lights. Talk about that because you have like mine actually cycles through it. I think mine had more inserts than you typically work with. >> Mine says silver ballmania and it cycles
    16:50
    Mine says silver ballmania and it cycles
    16:50
    Mine says silver ballmania and it cycles through silver ballmania. 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, uh, and then when lit. And there's even just a lot of awesome things. The the back part is is really cool. It's also part of the playfield. >> Mh.
    17:05
    Mh.
    17:05
    Mh. >> And you can see these little touches
    17:08
    And you can see these little touches
    17:08
    And you can see these little touches that are amazing. And yes, mine does have the the loser kid logo right there, too. >> Yeah. a a really cool thing about your
    17:18
    Yeah. a a really cool thing about your
    17:18
    Yeah. a a really cool thing about your um playfield was that we got it and it didn't have any of the light inserts. Yeah, >> they were all blank. Um so we looked at
    17:28
    they were all blank. Um so we looked at
    17:28
    they were all blank. Um so we looked at lots of different ways of how what like how we could fix this or if it was to find another playfield that had more lights in it. Um, what we ended up doing in the end was recreating all of the artwork for those lights. So, the all of the letters and all of the graphics are pulled from an artwork package that you can get for the game. Yeah. >> And then we um we have inserts that we
    18:00
    And then we um we have inserts that we
    18:00
    And then we um we have inserts that we can replace for for broken inserts. So, we created all of the missing artwork and then it's UV printed onto the lights and then we've aged and relicked the plastic and the printing on it so that it matches kind of the patina that's on the playfield already cuz you have brand new lights in there. Um, so that it looks I mean I think um a diehard pinball fanatic might realize that it's not exactly the original, but I mean you can be a couple inches away from it and and you'd be hardressed to to tell the difference. Um, same with the backs. like we we relic the backs of the guitars to make it look and sort of feel the same age as what the what the playfield is. Um some some are more worn out than others. Um and we kind of make the paint and stuff match the the playfield. >> I I Okay, by the way, I didn't even know
    19:06
    I I Okay, by the way, I didn't even know
    19:06
    I I Okay, by the way, I didn't even know that you replaced the inserts. So that [laughter] that's pretty amazing right there. [clears throat] I'm learning about this right now. Yeah. >> And the cool thing about that is because
    19:15
    And the cool thing about that is because
    19:15
    And the cool thing about that is because it doesn't limit what playfield you can actually use for these guitars. >> So if you find a guitar, if you find a
    19:23
    So if you find a guitar, if you find a
    19:23
    So if you find a guitar, if you find a playfield, I mean, that's kind of the limiting factor really. So >> the good thing about us, I we actually
    19:29
    the good thing about us, I we actually
    19:29
    the good thing about us, I we actually went through >> your existing playfields and I I chose
    19:32
    your existing playfields and I I chose
    19:32
    your existing playfields and I I chose Silver Ball. I actually that's this is the one I wanted when I when I first heard about what we were thinking of doing. And but you can do it with other playfields. Like for example, we uh we saw that you did a custom guitar out of a Jersey Jack um Guns and Roses Playfield. >> Yep. And so we saw that and and my
    19:56
    Yep. And so we saw that and and my
    19:56
    Yep. And so we saw that and and my friend John was really interested in doing this and we were able to figure out a way of finding a a discarded playfield that he purchased a Guns & Roses one. So he's getting a Guns and Roses guitar from you. >> Yeah, absolutely. And so we were at um
    20:16
    Yeah, absolutely. And so we were at um
    20:16
    Yeah, absolutely. And so we were at um Pinball Expo this year. This was so this year was sort of like our big launch of these guitars. We've we sort of became a little bit more active on on Pinside forum and then we thought if we're going to try to take these guitars to market, let's take it to market and let's take it to where the people are and and the fans of of Pinball and it's either going to go really well or it's going to go really bad. And thankfully it went really well and and the guitars were really well received. Um, all of the manufacturers that were there all kind of had caught wind that we were going to be there as well too. So, they did come over and sort of make a point to say hi and we were working um with the guys from Jersey Jacks um on that Guns and Roses uh that first G&R one that we did. So they kind of knew who we were too and they've all said to us like there are so many play fields that are a second or they're a ding and dent and like we can't use them because they can't put them in the games. Um >> and you're more than welcome to them and
    21:26
    and you're more than welcome to them and
    21:26
    and you're more than welcome to them and >> almost every release of a game has ding
    21:31
    almost every release of a game has ding
    21:31
    almost every release of a game has ding and dents or seconds or stuff that can't be used. So it's just tracking them down and and sort of building the network to give us the connections to to find them. But um yeah, so so we can go that way and even some of the the uh we've gotten stuff from CPR too and they'll we'll get the reproductions sent up to us um or guys will pull them like we get them sent up to us just from guys personal collections all the time too. um that that they've done a restoration job and they've got the playfield and they they send it up to us. >> What game do you think would probably
    22:08
    What game do you think would probably
    22:08
    What game do you think would probably what's one that you haven't done yet that you think would do great as a guitar? >> We have a lot on the on the docket for
    22:15
    We have a lot on the on the docket for
    22:15
    We have a lot on the on the docket for this year. Um Evil Conval you can sort of see behind me there. It's always it's always great. Like if we could just make a hundred of those we'd be selling them every day. They're they're um people really are drawn to those. So, they always make a great one. Um the the G&R one's a good one, too. Um it's complicated because it's new and there's so many lights and stuff in it. We've got um >> one on the books that is um Oh, shoot.
    22:48
    one on the books that is um Oh, shoot.
    22:48
    one on the books that is um Oh, shoot. I'm going to screw it up. Centigrade 37. Centigrade. That's correct. Centrade 37. Yep. 37. That's a rare one. Yeah. Yeah. And like it's gonna be awesome. Again, fits a fits a junior style, like a less Paul style. Um, we also have another one that is uh Night Rider. >> Mhm.
    23:12
    Mhm.
    23:12
    Mhm. >> Um, and it's just cool colors. it it.
    23:16
    Um, and it's just cool colors. it it.
    23:16
    Um, and it's just cool colors. it it. So, we have these um templates in the shop and um we can like kind of like viewfinders that we can place on the playfields and kind of figure out the nicest area to to locate the guitars on. And >> it is just got really cool colors.
    23:31
    it is just got really cool colors.
    23:31
    it is just got really cool colors. You've got the the trucks on the roads coming down. Um so, it's a really neat one, too. Sort of same as the soccer one behind me. Like, if you saw the game, like this is boring. like this is just not a an an a nice looking game. It's pretty bare bones. But even if they've just got really cool colors and like organic shapes and stuff like they can make really cool guitars. Um there's another one too. I don't remember what it is, but I I do like the old Pinup Girl stuff too. I think the old Pinup Girl and Bomber Girl stuff is is really cool. And we've got a couple of those in inventory. I don't remember what they're they're called though, but yeah. Yeah, there's lot there's tons. There's tons. >> You have posted a guitar about 3 weeks
    24:20
    You have posted a guitar about 3 weeks
    24:20
    You have posted a guitar about 3 weeks ago that's absolutely insane. And it's a shark guitar. Have you seen this, Scott? >> I did. I actually So I we were all
    24:30
    I did. I actually So I we were all
    24:30
    I did. I actually So I we were all seeing the same thing cuz when we reached out and we're like, "Okay, Dan, we we have the guitars now. We've been talking about this. This is a great time to come on." And then we were all like, "Yeah, I I saw the shark guitar. I thought it was a really cool cool uh and this was like a reproduction, right? Because this was a limited it was a limited guitar from Japan >> and it was unavailable now and so you
    24:55
    and it was unavailable now and so you
    24:55
    and it was unavailable now and so you were able to do a recreation of it. Tell me about that. >> Yeah, honestly like
    25:01
    Yeah, honestly like
    25:02
    Yeah, honestly like there's not really much we can't do. we give us enough time to kind of figure it out, we can we can pull it together. So, this was a project that came to us a couple of years ago, honestly. Um, and it's from a a Japanese anime show called One Piece, and one of the characters in the show plays this shark guitar. And I guess there was a a factory in China that decided to produce a a limited run of them and they are nowhere to be found anymore. They're sold out. They're not on the used market. They're just they're I guess everybody who has them has them and is holding on to them. So, um the client approached us and said, "Hey, is this something you think you can do?" And we honestly we tried to sort of talk him out of it because we knew the scope of what this was going to be and the challenges we were going to face with this and we thought maybe we could find one somewhere for you and like restore it or or sort of bring it up to a standard that makes it a nice playing guitar and stuff and we couldn't. So we sort of said okay well let's let's sort of have at it. So, um, we were able to find a lot of drawings and pictures of the guitar online and from that we built the guitar. So, it's kind of built around a Strat body and Strat specs. It's loosely a a Strat guitar with sort of the shape of the Shark. Um, but there was enough information online that we could kind of sort of build it out the way that we needed to and the way that it would function like a guitar. That's the big thing. Like they can look cool, but they still have to be a guitar. Like they still have to play. They still have to be able to to function. But yeah, it was it was tough. It was it was a good year and a half to get this thing pulled together for these guys. >> Well, you were saying too, like even the
    26:58
    Well, you were saying too, like even the
    26:58
    Well, you were saying too, like even the fin off the bottom of the guitar actually doesn't go straight down. It actually scoops >> outward and stuff too. It was just not
    27:05
    outward and stuff too. It was just not
    27:05
    outward and stuff too. It was just not straightforward. >> Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So the fin is like
    27:08
    Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So the fin is like
    27:08
    Oh, absolutely. Yeah. So the fin is like it's I mean the guitar is threedimensional. That's sort of a stupid thing to say but yeah the fin like scoops up and out from the guitar like it's supposed to. And um the like the teeth are all carved in like we manufactured parts for this thing. We were like the eyes are um all this turned resin and there's like a it on the original guitar I think it was like a speaker but we weren't we weren't doing doing that but we had to recreate the speaker type function and um yeah it was it was a the pickups were custom too um because the the cavity for them was so tight they had to be certain tolerances and certain dimensions to be able to fit. Um, yeah. So, it was um it was a it was wild. It came together great though. Like we were we were really happy with the end result and the client was super happy with it too. Um it's gotten a great great reaction online. Um we were talking about that just beforehand there. Just wild how things can kind of pop off and this is this has popped for us a little bit. So that's kind of nice too. So, when someone's thinking about doing stuff like this, how would they go about doing that? Would they try to source their own? Would they contact you and say, "Hey, I have an idea for a guitar." Um, what is the best way if people are are thinking about a project like that to to commence at that? >> It's it's just to reach out and then we
    28:39
    It's it's just to reach out and then we
    28:39
    It's it's just to reach out and then we kind of can guide you through the the process from there. So, um, some guys will have like they'll have a play field in hand and they say, "Hey, I've got this this playfield. I want to build a guitar." And I say, "Okay, we'll help you like we'll help with the shipping and get it sent up here." Um, and then once we get the playfield in our hands, we can kind of look at it and and see what might work. We give you possibilities of of layouts and and then we kind of take it from there. Um, we have an inventory of playfields as well, too. I think we've got probably close to 30. >> Yeah. And I was looking online like I I
    29:17
    Yeah. And I was looking online like I I
    29:17
    Yeah. And I was looking online like I I was reviewing while we were talking and yeah, there's there's a a lot of and and a lot of more of like the 50s and 60s style which are kind of fun. >> Yeah. Lots lots. And and honestly, we
    29:27
    Yeah. Lots lots. And and honestly, we
    29:27
    Yeah. Lots lots. And and honestly, we have um I think another 15 or so that aren't on the website yet if you're you're scrolling right now. Um, yeah, there's a lot of cool ones that we've got. We just haven't had a moment to to put them up. So, so people could just say they could look through our inventory and say, uh, they want to do XYZ Playfield. Um, or we can help you try to find one. like we we've sort of been able to develop the networks over the last several years of um salvage guys and and guys sort of that restore playfields and repair playfields and even and even um the the manufacturers. So, we can sort of try to we can try to track one down. It's not always a guarantee, but we can certainly look. >> So, what's uh what's the future for you
    30:16
    So, what's uh what's the future for you
    30:16
    So, what's uh what's the future for you going forward? What what's the goal and the plan >> right now? We're trying to just get
    30:22
    right now? We're trying to just get
    30:22
    right now? We're trying to just get through all of the builds that we have gotten pre-ooked from uh from the the expo. Um, >> how how many did you get? Out of
    30:32
    how how many did you get? Out of
    30:32
    how how many did you get? Out of curiosity cuz you guys were pretty busy. Josh and I stopped by a few times and even my son was cuz it's been fun because my family's been getting into guitar. So, we have about two years of >> like my kids have been taking it and
    30:46
    like my kids have been taking it and
    30:46
    like my kids have been taking it and then about last year I said, "Well, why don't I take So, I I've been taking guitar for the last year. So, it's been fun to >> get into it."
    30:53
    get into it."
    30:53
    get into it." >> Um, but yeah, it it's um so he he got
    30:56
    Um, but yeah, it it's um so he he got
    30:56
    Um, but yeah, it it's um so he he got down and he was playing it and he thought they were really cool. So, so how h how how many orders did you get? >> So, it
    31:05
    So, it
    31:05
    So, it I was ex I was hoping we would get a a couple there. Um, we knew it would sort of be a slow burn because people weren't really expecting to see us at the show because we had never been there before. >> We didn't have a huge presence in the
    31:21
    We didn't have a huge presence in the
    31:22
    We didn't have a huge presence in the industry or in the market. So, I was kind of expecting the first day people would come and see us. They'd get really pumped about it. They would go back home, think about it, they'd come back and see us on the Saturday, they'd think about it some more, and then Sunday would sort of be the big day for us. Um, which it that was kind of how it how it worked out. We had a we had a couple guys on the first day put some deposits down and then they kind of continued through the the weekend and then quite a few on the back end once we got home. Um guys were sort of sending us emails. I think we've got about 12 or so on the books from the show. Um which is which is great for us. >> That's impressive. How how long does it
    32:08
    That's impressive. How how long does it
    32:08
    That's impressive. How how long does it take to go from start to finish? So if someone is interested in getting something like this, >> what is the expected lag time on this?
    32:17
    what is the expected lag time on this?
    32:17
    what is the expected lag time on this? >> Yeah. So right now we're booked we're
    32:21
    Yeah. So right now we're booked we're
    32:21
    Yeah. So right now we're booked we're pre- booked almost to the end of the year right now. So most of our most of the orders that are coming in now are slotted for the fall. So you can you can pretty much if it's a if it's a pinball build, you can pretty much guarantee a six-month wait on it. And then we're close to a sixmonth build time. We sort of block four to six months for a build time. Also depends on how complicated the build is. Um if it's if the playfield's something wild or if there's lots of lights on it or or how customized we're going with it, that can take longer. But that's that's a sort of a good ballpark. Yeah, because we were talking earlier because you did um Oh, now it's blanking my mind now that I'm going to bring it up. the black and white playfield. The uh with the monster centaur centaur. >> Yes. Centaur has quite the centerpiece
    33:15
    Yes. Centaur has quite the centerpiece
    33:15
    Yes. Centaur has quite the centerpiece with all these lights and stuff like that. >> Yeah.
    33:17
    Yeah.
    33:17
    Yeah. >> And so it's hard to navigate that
    33:19
    And so it's hard to navigate that
    33:19
    And so it's hard to navigate that versus, you know, soccer that you have behind you, >> right? Cuz you still have the center of
    33:23
    right? Cuz you still have the center of
    33:23
    right? Cuz you still have the center of the playfield still has, you know, all the all the strings and the bridges and all the uh >> Yeah. everything.
    33:30
    Yeah. everything.
    33:30
    Yeah. everything. >> And and the whole lighting package is
    33:33
    And and the whole lighting package is
    33:33
    And and the whole lighting package is that's been a a big developmental piece for us as well, too. Um, we've gone through many different iterations of our controller boards and figuring out what what works and what doesn't. So, for example, like we know that we can only be within a certain proximity to the pickups because if not, we get interference. We also have learned that how we route the wires and and the wire paths that we sort of take all those wires is also important because if they get too close to components they start to to make noise. Also too like each of those lights um they're like an an individual or a separate output like we can't use um oh what's it called? like those I think they're called addressable LEDs because >> they're chained but then they also
    34:25
    they're chained but then they also
    34:26
    they're chained but then they also >> make a ton of noise which we didn't and
    34:28
    make a ton of noise which we didn't and
    34:28
    make a ton of noise which we didn't and not a lot like and we had sort of chatted with other people about this too and never thought that the noise was going to be an issue. So, um, yeah, the lights are the lights can be very tricky, but we've got it we've got it down to a pretty good science now and are pretty confident with what what we can do and how we can do it and some and that's also part of the layout that we just know, sorry, like you can't light that up cuz it's too close to a pickup or we're going to drill through this with a with a locate hole. So, that's not going to work either. But uh we go we map it all out and and give you renderings and stuff too so you you know ahead of time. >> Well and I what I love what you guys did
    35:10
    Well and I what I love what you guys did
    35:10
    Well and I what I love what you guys did too is like Casey was talking to me a lot about my guitar cuz he worked with you guys he worked closely with you on it >> and like even cuz mine actually has a
    35:18
    and like even cuz mine actually has a
    35:18
    and like even cuz mine actually has a feature that has two different light patterns and >> one that's more single light and then
    35:23
    one that's more single light and then
    35:23
    one that's more single light and then this one has more of a double light to it. Right. >> But it was funny cuz like
    35:26
    But it was funny cuz like
    35:26
    But it was funny cuz like >> both of yours do.
    35:28
    both of yours do.
    35:28
    both of yours do. >> Yes. Really? I think Scott does as well.
    35:31
    Yes. Really? I think Scott does as well.
    35:31
    Yes. Really? I think Scott does as well. >> Yeah, if you pull on the light switch,
    35:33
    Yeah, if you pull on the light switch,
    35:33
    Yeah, if you pull on the light switch, it should or pull >> pull like the tone or something like
    35:37
    pull like the tone or something like
    35:37
    pull like the tone or something like that and like >> either the volume or the tone and it'll
    35:41
    either the volume or the tone and it'll
    35:41
    either the volume or the tone and it'll change the pattern. >> Oh, really? I didn't know that.
    35:44
    Oh, really? I didn't know that.
    35:44
    Oh, really? I didn't know that. >> Yeah. So, we called
    35:45
    Yeah. So, we called
    35:45
    Yeah. So, we called >> You're learning something new today. I
    35:46
    You're learning something new today. I
    35:46
    You're learning something new today. I am. Wow. Look at that. >> Uh we called it a a show mode and a and
    35:51
    Uh we called it a a show mode and a and
    35:51
    Uh we called it a a show mode and a and a play mode. >> Yes. Um because we we
    35:56
    Yes. Um because we we
    35:56
    Yes. Um because we we one of the other things that we learned is that we can't have more than one light fire at the same time because there's too much signal or current and it makes a ticking sound. So when so with with your guys, it was the first one we tried it on to be honest because oh this could be really cool because some guys like obviously you want to play it and you are playing the guitar but there's also some guys that just want to have it as a showpiece and they'll hang it up beside the game on their wall in their game room um and they they use them as as sort of as an art piece to complement the guitar or the the playfield or the the pinball game. Um, yeah. So, so yeah. So, the show mode is a little bit more of um the firing multi lights at the same time, different patterns, a little bit more pinballesque. Um, and the play mode is one light at a time following in a sequence that we know will not make noise. >> Wow. Well, not only that, you you guys
    37:01
    Wow. Well, not only that, you you guys
    37:01
    Wow. Well, not only that, you you guys did it cuz like it's like, well, if you ever decide to use this in the studio or whatever, it's like I'd never thought of that. You know what I'm saying? But you get you get recording artists that love these machines or these these >> guitars and they want to use them on cuz
    37:14
    guitars and they want to use them on cuz
    37:14
    guitars and they want to use them on cuz they love the sound and they they want it on the record and it's like, >> yeah,
    37:18
    yeah,
    37:18
    yeah, >> you know, it's just funny that it's like
    37:19
    you know, it's just funny that it's like
    37:20
    you know, it's just funny that it's like I had never thought of more than one light would create a ticking sound through a recording. >> We didn't even we didn't even think it
    37:26
    We didn't even we didn't even think it
    37:26
    We didn't even we didn't even think it was a a thing. And we tested like we test them here in the shop and we've got decent amps but we don't have it cranked. And so we were doing a a delivery and it was to an artist at um an amphitheater like several thousands of seat theater like outdoor outdoor amphitheater. and he plugged it in, turned it on, and it sounded like a freaking machine gun going off in the place. We're like, "Oh my god, like we can't do this." Like, it was terrible. Um, but we but we didn't hear it because we didn't have it loud enough. Um, so it was definitely like a volume thing, too. Um, yeah. Oh gosh, that was that was wild. >> [laughter]
    38:19
    [laughter]
    38:19
    [laughter] >> You're like, "Just leave it turned off
    38:20
    You're like, "Just leave it turned off
    38:20
    You're like, "Just leave it turned off for tonight on the lights." >> But you can't turn those lights on
    38:26
    But you can't turn those lights on
    38:26
    But you can't turn those lights on tonight cuz there's It was so bad. Like we like it was it wasn't wild, but we had like quick patterns and a couple of lights like and it just honestly like was bad. >> Wow.
    38:39
    Wow.
    38:39
    Wow. >> We're playing all the songs at a at a
    38:41
    We're playing all the songs at a at a
    38:41
    We're playing all the songs at a at a 120 BPM tonight so we can keep in time with the clicking of the guitar. [laughter] >> Yeah. And but that was the thing too,
    38:48
    Yeah. And but that was the thing too,
    38:48
    Yeah. And but that was the thing too, like it went to their in ears. Like the tick was audible in their ears. So you've got a click track, you've got stuff, and you're hearing this tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick that's like just random off the background. >> Wow. Yeah. But uh not a problem anymore.
    39:05
    Wow. Yeah. But uh not a problem anymore.
    39:05
    Wow. Yeah. But uh not a problem anymore. >> Yeah.
    39:06
    Yeah.
    39:06
    Yeah. >> Oh, okay. Well, I'm glad you worked that
    39:07
    Oh, okay. Well, I'm glad you worked that
    39:07
    Oh, okay. Well, I'm glad you worked that out because I >> Yeah. Yeah.
    39:09
    Yeah. Yeah.
    39:09
    Yeah. Yeah. >> Now you have you have pictures. So Ed
    39:13
    Now you have you have pictures. So Ed
    39:13
    Now you have you have pictures. So Ed Robertson has one of bare naked ladies. It's a It's a Dolly Parton one. >> Yeah, Ed's got two. And yeah, so um his
    39:22
    Yeah, Ed's got two. And yeah, so um his
    39:22
    Yeah, Ed's got two. And yeah, so um his was one of the one of the first guitars that we did after we did the Fathom, like our first prototype one. Um and so his his first one we did was the Quicksilver. And full disclosure, it was Ed's that that sounded like a machine gun. Yeah. [laughter] >> Yeah. We took it to one of their shows
    39:41
    Yeah. We took it to one of their shows
    39:41
    Yeah. We took it to one of their shows and >> he plays big shows.
    39:44
    he plays big shows.
    39:44
    he plays big shows. >> Yeah. Yeah.
    39:45
    Yeah. Yeah.
    39:45
    Yeah. Yeah. popular. >> That was the thing. That was the thing.
    39:47
    That was the thing. That was the thing.
    39:47
    That was the thing. That was the thing. We just hadn't put it through that type of a sound system before. >> Um,
    39:52
    Um,
    39:52
    Um, >> okay. You are you are in Canada, so I
    39:55
    okay. You are you are in Canada, so I
    39:55
    okay. You are you are in Canada, so I mean there are other you are near Russ maybe like why don't you call up Alex Lifson and say hey uh why don't you get a guitar from us? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we are we are a
    40:07
    Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we are we are a
    40:07
    Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So we are we are a Canadian uh shop and we're we're near Toronto. Um >> that's where Russia's from.
    40:13
    that's where Russia's from.
    40:13
    that's where Russia's from. >> Yeah. Yeah. And ironically, we are doing
    40:15
    Yeah. Yeah. And ironically, we are doing
    40:16
    Yeah. Yeah. And ironically, we are doing a Rush build, not for Rush. Um, but yeah, we are doing a Rush build, which will be pretty cool. >> Um, there's a couple and they've done um
    40:26
    Um, there's a couple and they've done um
    40:26
    Um, there's a couple and they've done um work Getty Le done stuff. Getty Lee and Alex Lifson have done some work with another shop that we know uh in the area, too. So, it's a it's a thing. It's definitely a possibility. Um, just hasn't sort of come together yet. Well, they're on tour this summer, so I I bet you know, just tell them to borrow mine. >> Yeah, I'll just bring I'm gonna go see
    40:49
    Yeah, I'll just bring I'm gonna go see
    40:49
    Yeah, I'll just bring I'm gonna go see them in in um LA. >> Oh, nice. Cool.
    40:52
    Oh, nice. Cool.
    40:52
    Oh, nice. Cool. >> I'm sure I'm sure. Hey, you know, if
    40:54
    I'm sure I'm sure. Hey, you know, if
    40:54
    I'm sure I'm sure. Hey, you know, if they give me a backstage pass, then I'll go I'll let him play my guitar. >> There you go. Yeah. Know what Scott's
    40:59
    There you go. Yeah. Know what Scott's
    40:59
    There you go. Yeah. Know what Scott's doing. He's going to be making some calls and >> Yeah.
    41:02
    Yeah.
    41:02
    Yeah. >> to show up with a Rush guitar, you know.
    41:04
    to show up with a Rush guitar, you know.
    41:04
    to show up with a Rush guitar, you know. >> Hey, ironically, so we actually know
    41:07
    Hey, ironically, so we actually know
    41:07
    Hey, ironically, so we actually know someone who does know Alex >> Lyson.
    41:11
    Lyson.
    41:11
    Lyson. So, the uh I I'm sure I'm sure Dan does too. But also, do you remember Steve Goa who did my uh my Iron Maiden Eddie thing? He actually he's a professional player, too. And >> he was in, you know, he was in
    41:26
    he was in, you know, he was in
    41:26
    he was in, you know, he was in >> uh Jersey Boys
    41:28
    uh Jersey Boys
    41:28
    uh Jersey Boys >> and he he plays all he plays, you know,
    41:31
    and he he plays all he plays, you know,
    41:31
    and he he plays all he plays, you know, obviously exceptionally well. And so he uh he actually maybe we'll ask Steve if Alex wants to have a uh to have a custom guitar. That would be awesome. >> Yeah, it's it it it's funny like they
    41:44
    Yeah, it's it it it's funny like they
    41:44
    Yeah, it's it it it's funny like they always it it always comes together eventually. It it just sometimes takes a bit of time. >> Okay. I I am I actually do want to get a
    41:52
    Okay. I I am I actually do want to get a
    41:52
    Okay. I I am I actually do want to get a little bit back to some of the customization. So, yeah, absolutely. >> Josh obviously has been in a band. He's
    41:58
    Josh obviously has been in a band. He's
    41:58
    Josh obviously has been in a band. He's a big guitar player. He knows his stuff. >> I do not I I'm learning guitars and so
    42:05
    I do not I I'm learning guitars and so
    42:06
    I do not I I'm learning guitars and so I've been playing for about a year and a half. And when you were asking me about the customization pro uh process, you know, he's like, "Okay, so what do you want for the neck? What do you want for for all this?" You know, what do you want for the pickups? What do you want? And I actually told you, "Hey, um, you're the expert here, so I want to know what your recommendations are." So Josh, I think you went with Humbuckers. Is that right? Am I getting that right? >> Yes, you're go, you are correct. I went
    42:31
    Yes, you're go, you are correct. I went
    42:31
    Yes, you're go, you are correct. I went with Seymour Duncan uh, Mayhem Humuckers. And the top one can split. It has a split coil in it. So, >> okay, that's a lot of fancy things. I
    42:40
    okay, that's a lot of fancy things. I
    42:40
    okay, that's a lot of fancy things. I don't know anything what you just said, >> but uh Okay, so Dan, talk about the ones
    42:45
    but uh Okay, so Dan, talk about the ones
    42:45
    but uh Okay, so Dan, talk about the ones you put in mind because you said they were they were customized from the the local thing, and I'll even pull them up and kind of >> show. You said it's it's from uh someone
    42:54
    show. You said it's it's from uh someone
    42:54
    show. You said it's it's from uh someone who's really close to you guys, so that I thought that was a really cool touch. >> Are they? Um I thought um they they
    43:01
    Are they? Um I thought um they they
    43:01
    Are they? Um I thought um they they could be. I don't I don't remember off the top of my head. Um, I do know that we built um Josh's as more a little bit more on that hard rock metal side. >> Um, and yours we were building more as a
    43:19
    Um, and yours we were building more as a
    43:19
    Um, and yours we were building more as a really nice kind of allaround >> player.
    43:22
    player.
    43:22
    player. >> Um, and that's
    43:24
    Um, and that's
    43:24
    Um, and that's >> like you're not the only one. Like we
    43:26
    like you're not the only one. Like we
    43:26
    like you're not the only one. Like we get players from all walks of life and we definitely get guys that will come in that are very um call it analytically based. They know the specs of what they want. They know the neck profiles and the fingerboard radiuses. They know what they want the guitar to weigh. They know what hardware they want to do. Um and they're very sort of yeah, call it analytically based that way. We get other guys that come in and it's a feel thing. They're like, I like I want warm tones. I want a nice finish. I want it to be this color palette. I want it to sound this way. And they're definitely that's sort of how they describe the guitars. And um and then we kind of get people that don't necessarily have a preference, but sort of know what they don't like. And then from that, we can kind of direct them and and build the guitar out that way and kind of direct the decisions and sort of give you options that we can then pull the information that we need out of. And it's it's important to us like all of us are players here at the shop and and we've all been playing a really long time. So, we understand when a guy says like, "Oh, I just want it to feel this way. or I want to have a really nice snap to it or I want that like real telly twang and we're like okay that's fine like we'll we'll go for that that's and we and we kind of know what they're after. Um and that's what's really cool about these pinball guitars too is because pinball players are a lot of pinball players are guitar players as both of you guys are and as most of the clients are that we've been dealing with. So that's that's a really cool um synergy and a nice marriage there. We but we do get some and we've gotten some orders that it is strictly um a showpiece for them to go as part of their collection with the game and that's totally fine. Like I have nothing against that because I I appreciate that piece too. And then we just get players and and pros that have no real affinity to the pinball world, but they love the artwork piece or they love the colors or they love that it's different or a lot of guys um used to have those old evil conval toys like the windup motorcycle toys and their kids. So like that guitar speaks to so many people. So, some people just like it for the artwork and that it's something different, which is also really cool because you can always have more guitars, but it's sometimes tough to sell a telly to a guy that already has two telly's. He's like, "Okay, like, yes, yours are different, but like what really makes them that much different, but it's so easy to sell this guy. is like, "Oh, I don't have one of those yet." And that nobody else has one of those yet. So, that's like an easy It's a It's an easier sell because it's something really unique um that people don't they don't have. Well, and in my opinion too, you guys are at a very sweet price point. >> And so, and I felt like you gave a lot
    46:49
    And so, and I felt like you gave a lot
    46:49
    And so, and I felt like you gave a lot of option of where you could start off on the bass and go all the way up to like the top tier. And coming from a guy that's been in guitars for years and seeing that like I mean obviously you deal with Fender, you know, there's the bottom tiers, there's what, three, and then there it kind of switches over to the actual Fender brand. you know, it goes from Squire to Fender >> and it's like there's I think there's a
    47:12
    and it's like there's I think there's a
    47:12
    and it's like there's I think there's a total of what, like seven from base all the way up and the price range is just wild, you know? [clears throat] >> Yeah. And then you get into their custom
    47:21
    Yeah. And then you get into their custom
    47:21
    Yeah. And then you get into their custom shop too and then that's just like an endless >> like you just write a blank check and
    47:27
    like you just write a blank check and
    47:27
    like you just write a blank check and see what happens kind of thing. >> Yeah. And and you guys have done
    47:30
    Yeah. And and you guys have done
    47:30
    Yeah. And and you guys have done fantastic on making a very custom product that feels really really good. like it feels very comparable to I would say a higherend Fender or any any of that product and it's at that price point that you guys offer. It's just >> you're not getting this anywhere else.
    47:48
    you're not getting this anywhere else.
    47:48
    you're not getting this anywhere else. Like it's just you guys have done very very well on balancing everything out with the guitar with with everything. And that's just my >> Thanks. Yeah. and and we've tried and
    47:58
    Thanks. Yeah. and and we've tried and
    47:58
    Thanks. Yeah. and and we've tried and it's been um it was very in intentional because um we knew we needed to kind of hit sort of a price range that people would be comfortable with. And um what's nice is that our shop is a custom shop. So we're not really set up to do big production runs of things. We're set up to do short runs and and oneoffs. And that's kind of how we operate. So, that's what we're geared up to do. Um, but yeah. Yeah, we we were pretty aware of of pricing and being able to offer um options for Kais. So, when we first started these um the sort of call it the base price was just using the playfield as the top, but no lights um and it was just sort of the artwork piece. This the second tier up was with the lights um but just being an on and off function. So the lights would just turn on and and turn off with a switch. And then the top tier was having the programmed lights like you guys have. And we found that whoever ordered um either just the the the base package or the second second tier up with just the lights on and off. they were always disappointed that they didn't go all the way that for the extra couple hundred dollars um that it was like they're like a man I wish and so much so that they've come back and boughten a second guitar because they needed it to have the lights [laughter] so >> so so tell me the R and the
    49:42
    so so tell me the R and the
    49:42
    so so tell me the R and the [clears throat] nice thing is you're dealing with a with pinball people and pinball people >> we know about the range and this is what
    49:50
    we know about the range and this is what
    49:50
    we know about the range and this is what I get every time and I'm sure Josh G deal deals with this too when people ask okay they always come over they always say the same thing huh they still make these right that's the first question right >> yeah yeah
    50:04
    yeah yeah
    50:04
    yeah yeah >> and then they come over and play and
    50:05
    and then they come over and play and
    50:06
    and then they come over and play and they pause and they're like so how much does one of these cost >> and like my answer is well okay so
    50:14
    and like my answer is well okay so
    50:14
    and like my answer is well okay so here's a range it's just like a car so you have you know you have the the you and I always tell people, you want to buy a game that functions. You don't want to buy a fixer upper. So, finding something that's like a $3,000 to a $6,000 used game is is probably a good thing. And then you get into like the new game, new inbox prices. You got the pro premium le and depending on you know that's the stern model, but you also have uh you know the um you know the JJPs and you have the CGC's and you know the spookies and all that. So tell me about what kind of range are people expecting if they call and they say, "Hey, we want to get a guitar." What is the what is the range? >> Yeah. And and so we have shrunk that
    51:00
    Yeah. And and so we have shrunk that
    51:00
    Yeah. And and so we have shrunk that range a little bit. Um where we can offer you um sort of the the guitar with just the topper, but we really don't recommend it. The guitars are 3,800 US and that's fully loaded as you guys have it. Programmed lights, custom custom features, custom hardware, inlay, um the custom specs. Um >> yeah. So yeah,
    51:29
    yeah. So yeah,
    51:29
    yeah. So yeah, >> that's the price of a pro or three
    51:30
    that's the price of a pro or three
    51:30
    that's the price of a pro or three toppers. >> Well, and that's what's great cuz those
    51:33
    Well, and that's what's great cuz those
    51:33
    Well, and that's what's great cuz those games are so expensive. like it's it's uh it's a cool market to be in because you are the the clients are a little bit more um acclimatized to the price point of what the what the pinball games run. So when when we're at like yeah a fancy topper like that's not it's not too bad. It's a nice and I think that's why some people they treat it that way like um they're like, "Oh, this is a really nice piece to add to the game that nobody else is going to have." >> And and they're they're true. Nobody
    52:09
    And and they're they're true. Nobody
    52:09
    And and they're they're true. Nobody else will have them. U but yeah, we're 3,800 bucks, which is amazing in my opinion. Like I said, like looking at looking at the fenders and stuff like that, like [clears throat] their base, even their their American made start like what 12,400 and then it's like >> you could get easily 56,000 on these,
    52:26
    you could get easily 56,000 on these,
    52:26
    you could get easily 56,000 on these, you know. >> Yeah, absolutely. And I think uh yeah,
    52:29
    Yeah, absolutely. And I think uh yeah,
    52:29
    Yeah, absolutely. And I think uh yeah, like a custom shop builds easily 5 grand. Um, I think part what partially works in our favor is that we're a Canadian shop. So, we definitely do uh take advantage of the exchange rate, right? Cuz it's uh Yeah. Which it like it so for our Canadian customer like it works out to five grand Canadian or Yeah. around a little under. >> That's that's that's great actually for
    52:57
    That's that's that's great actually for
    52:57
    That's that's that's great actually for a custom guitar. Are you kidding me? >> Yeah. I mean, in like don't I don't want
    53:02
    Yeah. I mean, in like don't I don't want
    53:02
    Yeah. I mean, in like don't I don't want anybody to sort of get the wrong opinion. Like there's no shortcomings of those guitars. Like there's we don't sort of skip over anything. They're not they're no >> these are all they're not pros.
    53:13
    these are all they're not pros.
    53:13
    these are all they're not pros. >> Yeah. Yeah. They're great. They're
    53:14
    Yeah. Yeah. They're great. They're
    53:14
    Yeah. Yeah. They're great. They're they're uh Yeah, absolutely. >> You can say those other brands are all
    53:17
    You can say those other brands are all
    53:17
    You can say those other brands are all McDonald's brands and you guys are the Gordon Ramsay of guitars. >> I would say that. Yeah. I'd say we can
    53:24
    I would say that. Yeah. I'd say we can
    53:24
    I would say that. Yeah. I'd say we can we hold our own with any other big American brand uh any custom shops like there's we're find like and we've had many people sort of say the same thing too that it's comparable with any other high-end boutique um shop whether it's a su or or something like that. Um yeah. Yeah, they're they're really cool. We're we're really um happy and proud of sort of how they've all come together and sort of what we've been able to create with these ones. Like it's it's cool stuff >> definitely
    53:58
    definitely
    53:58
    definitely >> considering I just so I just upgraded my
    54:00
    considering I just so I just upgraded my
    54:00
    considering I just so I just upgraded my acoustic guitar >> and yes it's and when you're looking at
    54:04
    and yes it's and when you're looking at
    54:04
    and yes it's and when you're looking at Taylor guitars which is what I bought >> I have guitars that you know the entry
    54:09
    I have guitars that you know the entry
    54:09
    I have guitars that you know the entry ones that are you know $1,000 but they have them that [clears throat] go up to like $10,000. >> Oh yeah. Easy. Easy
    54:14
    Oh yeah. Easy. Easy
    54:14
    Oh yeah. Easy. Easy >> and more and more.
    54:17
    and more and more.
    54:17
    and more and more. So I so I I got one that was nice but not too nice. This you only have one level. You have super nice that that's what you're offering. >> Super nice but not super expensive.
    54:28
    Super nice but not super expensive.
    54:28
    Super nice but not super expensive. >> Super nice at a reasonable price for a
    54:31
    Super nice at a reasonable price for a
    54:31
    Super nice at a reasonable price for a custom art project. Absolutely. They're um so Fender the Fender Custom Shop did a a pinball guitar like 2018 maybe like or 2015 or something like that and they did uh a pinball [snorts] wizard and I think they've got it up for sale for like 18 or $20,000 or something like that. Like it's Yeah. >> Yes. Well, even looking at those like
    54:57
    Yes. Well, even looking at those like
    54:57
    Yes. Well, even looking at those like PRS, the custom dragon ones and like the the custom shops they do, those are like 22,000 or higher and it's like >> Yeah, like the private stock reserve or
    55:06
    Yeah, like the private stock reserve or
    55:06
    Yeah, like the private stock reserve or builder reserves. >> Yeah, pirate reserve. Oh, yeah. They're
    55:08
    Yeah, pirate reserve. Oh, yeah. They're
    55:08
    Yeah, pirate reserve. Oh, yeah. They're wild. It's crazy. >> I could talk guitars all night, but
    55:12
    I could talk guitars all night, but
    55:12
    I could talk guitars all night, but [laughter] we we Yeah. If you want someone to get a hold of you, what's the best way to get a hold of you? >> Um,
    55:20
    Um,
    55:20
    Um, however they can find us. So, our website is stheraguitars.com and there's a contact page. >> Spell that out. Spell that out.
    55:28
    Spell that out. Spell that out.
    55:28
    Spell that out. Spell that out. >> Yeah, it's a c i t h a r a guitars with
    55:33
    Yeah, it's a c i t h a r a guitars with
    55:33
    Yeah, it's a c i t h a r a guitars with an s. Um, and then all of our social media handles is the same. It's just sa guitars. And um there's you can direct message us. There's a phone number there that you can call me anytime. It's a direct line to me. So, it's um you're going to get me or it'll get to me at some point. But um yeah, however, however uh you want to find us, you can you probably can and it'll I I try to get back to everybody as soon as I can. And um yeah, that's probably the best way. [clears throat] And if you want to get a hold of us, we are loser kid pinball podcast@gmail.com. You can find us on all the socials, loserkidpinball. Uh, if you want to rep our merch like the hockey jersey, you know, those are cool. A little pride. >> Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. I like the
    56:21
    Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. I like the
    56:21
    Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. I like the beanies, too. They're nice. >> Uh, silverballsswag.com
    56:24
    Uh, silverballsswag.com
    56:24
    Uh, silverballsswag.com loserkid. Um, yeah. Thanks again, Daniel. This was fantastic. Like, seriously, it's like a dream come true. >> Oh, guys, thanks for having me. I'm I'm
    56:33
    Oh, guys, thanks for having me. I'm I'm
    56:33
    Oh, guys, thanks for having me. I'm I'm so glad that that you reached out and and we were able to do this project. Like, there are those guitars are kill. I Yeah, I love them both. And I'm glad we were able to sort of make uh tonight work too and get all our schedules aligned. And it's [music] been it's been great chatting with you. >> Definitely. Scott, give us our last
    56:50
    Definitely. Scott, give us our last
    56:50
    Definitely. Scott, give us our last words. You know what? [music] We may actually be getting a special playfield that we may be getting some more guitars heading your way. So, this is a teaser. We'll get back to you on that. So, either way, uh love uh thank you guys for listening and uh we'll catch you on the next one.