Takes a true craftsman to make such a beautiful piece of art...

Dammit i'm trying to think of what I wan't / need on my next Ran....

Ozz

Dariusz sure knows how to do some amazing work.

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Shutupshutupshutupshutupshutup i have to wait 3 more damn months!!!

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after seeing the mick thomson signature ibanez, i was initially excited, but now, i realise i'd rather not get it. mainly because its blood red and not black with white binding, and also because of a lack of an ebony fretboard.

so now, im gagging for a custom ibanez, with all those features and more, but ibanez dont do customs...therefore im thinking about going for the next best option... a ran!

im thinking about ordering it real soon, so i decided to make a few mockups of how it will look. sorry for the crappyness, i couldnt be bothered to use photoshop, so i used microsoft paint.

check out my "mockups" of my ideal custom ran ibanez rg:

front

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...1/FrontView.jpg

back

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...01/BackView.jpg

back of the headstock (im showing this because i dont want a ran logo of the front of the headstock, but i want it somewhere on the guitar, so the back of the headstock is the best place to put it! )

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...1/Headstock.jpg

what dyall think? i think its a masterpiece, and i really wanna get it built!
i just need to save up a bit more money

That actually looks well thought out. They are really detailed plans. I think Big D will have no problem making it for you as long as he has those woods or you are willing to pay a price. The neck I think will cost a bit more. Ibanez does make custum shop guitars but I have no ideal how to get one done of how much it might cost or how famous you need to be.

If you order it I want to see pics once you get it

Edit:I think there are some details you need to add though.

Nut width: Most Ibanez have 1 11/16" nuts, and..

Don't forget the binding on the neck or # of frets.

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Not to be a pain in the ass but for the last time, it's ORIGINAL FLOYD ROSE, not OFFICIAL!!!

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I would just go with Kahler or ToM. Thats why I know nothing or Floyd models.

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cheers, i will post millions of pictures if i get it

yea, all those details are going to be on the online form on the website, these pictures will be in the extras section at the bottom, so he gets a clear idea of what i want. i really hope i can order it soon. it would be my ideal guitar, wait, my dream guitar!


edit:
btw soulinsane, i have a question i wanna ask you, what neck profile do you think i should get? i really want to get a super thin shredder neck (flat & wide) so i was thinkin about getting a wizard 1 neck. do you think i should get that, or do you think i should just ask for the the slim ran style neck like you have on your ran v?
which one is thinner and easier to play on?

cheers

I'll have to say that you shouldn't get a Kahler unless you're willing to really learn how to set 'em up. They're a bitch to set up compared to Floyds I think.

u think

im pretty suer a kahler is much easier to adjust etc, since all u need is on the top, there some holes, u put a ???(tool) init, and turn, one for the action of each string, one for the spring tension to keep the bridge balanced, 1 for the trem arm tightness

sound smuch easier than messing with 2 screws in the back or ur guitar

though, ive never played a kahler before, but im getting one

EDIT yes my spellign sucks

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iv never played a kahler either but sooo many people recomend them i might have to order one

Now when the BC Rich´s gone I might getting one replica of this

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/KFKKahler.gif


but with the Fernandes Sustainer and Floyd. I think, not sure if I gonna go with Floyd, as I´m used to, or Kahler, which is more "Slayer" to it. Kahler is i bit better for fast riffing, Floyd for solos, IMO. But I really liek that guitar and I know Ran can make me one that looks just like that. They had to check how much I would be with the Sustainer in it... I´m waiting for D to get back to me...

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I've tried both Khalers and Floyds. Obviously this is anyone's opinion, but the Floyd is much less of a pain in the ass for me. For one, with the Kahler (I have the 2320), you'll need like 3 different allen wrenches, unlike with Floyd's, you'll probably only need 2. I find that the spring tension screw for the Kahler, is very uh...how should I say it....unresponsive. Like it takes more turns than on a Floyd, or since you can't see the springs, you can't exactly see how much the spring is getting stretched/relieved. Then adjusting the action is also a pain, since the strings are in the way, you'll have to like loosen the string to move it out of the way. Instead of just having a screwing method, you have to get the allen wrench to adjust the tension for the whammy bar. Then with the intonation, you need a screwdriver. Then the other thing is the maybe it's just with mine, but I've been having really bad tuning problems w/ my Kahler, while my licensed Floyd stayed in better tune.

I reckon intonating is a much easier business on a kahler since the saddles don't move when you "wham".

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you might want to consider this for your next ran aswell:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/FlamedKKV.jpg

thats hawt!

edit: wow, thats weird, i found it on the esp boards and it turns out its from your photobucket account...weird

still, i like it

I've got to say, Dariusz is a great guy to deal with.

I had som trouble with the guitar a few days back, and decided I wanted to change the inlays. But since D had already built the neck, he couldn't change the inlays without making a new neck. So I thought, what the hell, I'll change a few things and be even more satisfied with the axe when it arrives. I just got a e-mail back from D (on a sunday! That alone makes him great ), and a new neck would only cost 160 euros (with a custom logo and shit).

I can't see me dealing with another builder after this. Well, if his guitars are as great as you claim they are that is.

sounds good, what are you getting?

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heh....just you wait.

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i just got a quote for my custom ran ibanez rg...
FUCKING CHEAP MAN!

1508 euros = £1100

now that is sick!

im all up for that, should be much better than the mick thomson korean made signature series which is only just a bit cheaper. plus it will look a lot better, altho it is based on his black and white rg

heres my mock ups again:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...1/FrontView.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...01/BackView.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...1/Headstock.jpg

A snow white Xplorer. And yes, I am a Hetfield fanboy. But that's not the only reason for me getting an explorer, I've tried out a bunch of guitars and I'm most comfortable with either a Les Paul or an explorer. I already have a LP, so.. yeah.

It's also my second guitar (and first custom), so I'm very excited.

Nice pictures.

My classmate knows a guy in my town that makes custom guitars as well. I'm gonna se what price he'll take and maybe go to him and try out some the ones he has built. Then send a quote to Ran and see what Dariusz will take for the same stuff.

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How is he and does he got a website? Check out gmf.se and You can get some tips on swedish builders... I´m Turbo Rico on that board aswell (on all forums). Remember that Ran are getting bigger and that´s wahy their prices are ai bit higher than they used to be. But they make really good stuff and we You KNOW that You´ll end up with a guitar that is equal to a Jackson, ESP, Ibanez or BC Rich Custom.

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There is my new Ran guitar:

videos made in home

last 2 (chromo and etiuda) are 100% improvisation

http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...NE208MN6W83Q7N6 - annihilation
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...HJ0YLYQMHXMMAEG - chromo
http://s65.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=...0V16P1EHN5RYR4L - etiuda

That was badass, dude

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dude! what shape guitar was that?! it looked like an ibanez rg shape!
i plan to get an ran rg guitar and i was wondering how it would look when it was finished, so is it ok if you could you post pictures of your guitar? i think darius must have sent you some pictures through email
i would be really really greatful if you could, i dont know anyone else with a ran rg. please?

btw, your playing ruled, that anihilation at the hands of god solo was awesome and spot on! btw how long you been playing?
the chromatics were fast aswell, i only do chromatics from frets 1-12 on all strings, i never go past it...,maybe i should

edit:
i now i've looked at it again, it looks like an rga, the arch top rg, is it? if it isnt, still post pictures of your ran

I'm still trying to make my friend call the dude and check if I can come by and see what he can do.

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lol you look just like me, same ugly face xept i dont wear hats, same nose though nice guitar aswell


NO OFFENCE I REALY LOOK ALIKE, or you whatever

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Mmm...I think i just noticed that i will be one of the first to get a Ran with a string through rather than a floyd/strat style trem or stoptail....*keeps looking through pictures*

I wonder if he'l do it in the V shape or straight across the body.

EDIT: wait, someone on here who has the green BC Rich style Ran has a string through...

Is there some advantage to getting stoptail over stringthrough?

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No, not really.

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The green Ran you refer to is blizzard_beasts'

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Still damn sexy

There are so many Ran pics to be seen now days I lose track of them all.

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You can see I picture of my RAN here:

http://irc-galleria.net/view.php?ni...age_id=27997797

There's also an other picture, which you can see by pressing the RAN pic.

Nice....still like mine better though

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That's fucking sick man.

god that is sexy

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nice engl man

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sorry h4x5k8, but i think we have a winner, henkkiz's guitar looks a lot better than yours. yours is still awesome tho.

i love the look of it, it looks a lot like that other guitarist from CoB's jackson

awesomeness dude!

Very similar to mine. But i like the finish, inlays, and NECK PICKUP

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hah mine's gonna be pretty much the same except diff inlays, a regular invader and seymour duncans. Thanks for a sorta preview.

Damn that thing is shiny.

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Just got my price for my next RAN which all going well I should be ordering in 2 months, gotta love D

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Cool, how much was the price?

I got my quot on this:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/KFKKahler.gif
With Fernandes Sustainer and SD Lifewire Singel Coil in neck position. 1820 euro incl hardcase. Quilted maple top, red see thru, Original Floyd Rose. That´s a really good price. Don´t know if I can afford it though... I´ll have to wait and see...
If they can I might order a replica of this instead:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d...tedKKVTribe.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/FlamedKKV.jpg
With the same specs.
That´s like THE coolest guitar I´ve ever seen! Flamed KKV, wow...

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Man your guitar is fucking hot!!! That sustainer is also amazing.Those graphics are hotter than hell. You better post pics when/if you get it

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Don´t know if I gonna go with the Flame KKV with tribal or the Red KKV with quilted maple top. I really like quilted maple. But the flames look badass.
I don´t know if I can afford this right now, but I will have the cash in may for it. So I might order it than... I´ve heard good things about the Sustainer, I gotta try it out.

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my guitar has been delayed a bit the enck isnt done yet, the builder is waiting for some ?????named tool to make the inlays, when thats done its building time!!

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So over the winter a very unfortuneate event happened. From about fret 19 to 24 there are cracks in the board. At first is was just those 2 now its spread and its pretty ridiculous. Ill post pics when i get my digital camera workin again.

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i've been hearing a lot of horror stories lately about neck cracking/truss rod incidents.... is there any way to prevent these? I assume just keep the guitar in its case and in a temperate part of the house?

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Shiny sexiness.

Who's the girl?
http://irc-galleria.net/view.php?ni...age_id=18977216

Keep the guitar in a moderate temperature at all times, you know not too cold not too hot, or at least try to. Every couple of months after you clean your fretboard make sure you apply a bit lemon oil or woodwind bore oil to moisturize the fretboard so it can shift with the maple if it does, if not your fretboard will go stiff on you and eventually start to crack.

You speak the truth. I use bore oil myself twice a year. You also don't want to over oil ebony wood either or the frets can pop up. I have never had a problem with any fretboard but I know they do happen for multiple reasons. I think the best way to help prevent problems is to just keep them in the case when not playing them.

Sorry to hear about the cracks H8. You got any plans on how to get it fixed?

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apparantly ebony is a lot more prone to cracks than rosewood or maple, so the trick is to keep it well oiled (like the others said, twice a year) but not over oiled.

if it gets too dry it will crack, but if it gets over oiled frets may pop out and it will temporerily dampen your tone

My teacher said you can fill ebony cracks somehow, so thats a relief.

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No seriously, I wasn't joking. Sorry if I offended you.

that sucks man, 2 of my inlays are cracked a little but not the fretboard aside from that my RAN is fine, think i'll oil my fretboard to prevent anything like that happening!

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Gotta be maple for me on my Ran (i'm saving up- again )

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Yep, I've learned that in the long run, I prefer maple fretboards.

Are you getting maple as a fretboard wood or what?

Yea, maple fretboard, and i think it'll have a laminated maple/mahogany 3 piece neck I've gotta wait for Dariusz to send me the quote on that to see if i can afford it (post car crash and replacement car)

I love the maple fretboard on my Charvel, its amazing

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I hate maple fretboards...just not my thing. Doesnt feel right to me, especially if its the same peice of wood as the neck.

I went for an ebony fretboard but with a maple neck. Maple necks are awesome, i just dont like them as fretboards.

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I may be getting enough soon to order yet another Ran ehhehe, morethan likely a RR similar but not... will be nice ot have another great guitar...

Ozz

Did You sell Your first one? Or do You still got it?

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Woo, 1190 euros for the guitar! Good stuff, will order soon

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How long does it usually take to get an e-mail back saying how much the guitar costs? I've been waiting for almost a week now.

Hello all

I ordered a RAN guitar months ago, I recieved it.
The guitar is a black explorer with yellow stripe all around it.
My experience with Dariusz from RAN was quite a success, he is nice.
The is full mahogany, neck thru construction, no floyd, ebony fretboard.
It includes special logo, in lay and image incrusted on the body.

Here are some pictures of my "chik explorer", I hope those will help you have an opinion about RAN guitars. Feel free to ask any questions.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1712/img42711gs.jpg
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/7578/img43106ai.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3674/img43263hj.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7454/img43715as.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7899/img43755kp.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9044/img43905cl.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4250/img44003gv.jpg
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/726/img44381gz.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/2430/img44408ta.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7168/img44419ha.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/2628/10003872ap.jpg
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/5162/10003946ea.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5497/10003968ch.jpg
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/4258/10003926hf.jpg

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I love it, really unusual! Why'd you theme your Ran after a chick?

I'd suggest you try again. As much as I'd hate to bug a busy luthier, I had quite the same problem. It's possible that he already replied, at least tried to, but the mail just doesn't got thru to you. I've been waiting two weeks for an answer after I've sent my first payment. Wrote another one to get confirmation and received an answer pretty much the same day, saying something about potential server problems. So it might be the same with you.

Pretty fine guitar, by the way. Indeed unusual, but that just makes it even nicer in my book.

I'd rather kill someone before getting rid of me precious RR

Seriosuly, I shall post a potential mockup or two soon and ask for opinions...

Ozz

Lol, I love it! That is my far the most unique Ran I have ever seen and very classy.

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Thanks for loving my guitar ! I love her too

I had myself build a chik explorer because "poussin" (chik in french) has been my nickname for a long time, due to a pretty lady.
I also love the contrast between the angry look of the guitar and the nice attitude of chiken.

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Yup. I would rock with it on stage.

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Fuck is this good shit...How much did you pay for it?

The Black/yellow Explorer looks way cool! I really like Explorer, something I would play if I didn´t play Flying V.

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The chik explorer is 1410 euros, including hard case, free shipping.

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who are the chicks in your pic

The chicks are Björk and ... Björk !

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Ran invoice hath arriv'ed, will be visiting the bank tomorrow to pay installment 1 of 2

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Its worth every one of your pennies.

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[QUOTE=Hi Adam,
we are still making the woodwork...the central neck thru block with truss rod and wings are done...next week, we`ll finish the fingerboard and then we start glueing process.

I`ll plan to finish the guitar about early/mid May so we have a lot of time for 2nd payment.

Best regards
Dariusz Kuczynski
[/QUOTE]

fuck, i'm gonna see if he can get that done by late april instead....it'd save me like $300 in shipping...

But other than that yay! the wood stuff is almost done, then just glueing, electronics-ing, and painting!

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Just curious, how did you hear about Ran? Am I the only one that first heard of them because of Vader?


Oh yeah, Ran's "standard" instruments, do you have to wait months until they're built or are they mass produced and shipped on the spot?

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yeah im wondering about their standard instruments to because i dont really want a custom

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You're probably better off getting a standard series from like Jackson or ESP if you're gonna do that.

Look on the first post of this whole thread.

Oh lol. Nah, I think a 900 euro RAN probably has better quality than any Jackson ESP or Ibanez you can get for around that price. Maybe if you get a standard but only change 1 or 2 features it wouldn't change the price much...

The day I decide to get mine I'm getting a grey tiger-like flamed maple top as a regular V or Kelly(I hate RR's). But I'm investing in an ENGL preamp and gear soon so that'll have to wait a more than a year. :P

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I seen some Rans in action last night at a Nile concert. Decapitated and just about ever other band that came from eastern Europe were using them. It was the first time I've ever seen another Ran besides my own.

Poland seems to produce some fine metal bands and guitars

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And Kielbasa kicks ass. Yeah, Vader and Decap use Rans but I don't know of any other Polish bands that use them(maybe I do but I've never seen pics of them with Rans). Vader have used them for quite a long time, before they ever became this popular.

You'd probably save like 500$ if you buy it in Poland, that's like the price of a ticket there this time of year. You could like... ask him by what date he'll have it done and fly over there some long weekend to pick it up and greet Dariusz! I'd rather do that then let the greedy fucking Customs make you pay a fuckload of taxes and fees. Plus you get to hang around Poland for a few days. :P Sounds like a plan to me, you folks in the US(or any other country that charges insane taxes for merchandise coming in the country) should consider doing that.

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I'm years ahead of you on that one. After the nightmare I went through last time I WILL be going over there next time.

I'll be claiming to bring one Ran guitar with me ( It will just be and empty guitar case ), and leaving with one Ran guitar on my Customs form

Plus I will get to Meet Big D. I don't know how soon it will happen but that is my plan. I may not be coming back if I like it to much over there.

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yeah but the rans come with EMGs and i like the look of the standard avenger but then again jacksons have sweet reverse headstocks...

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also where would i be able to order 1 from??

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Right from Ran Guitars themself. Send Dariusz a email asking about what you want.

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ESP's and Jacksons come w/ EMGs too....

I was gonna avoid customs by having my uncle bring it over (I'm 100% pure bred polish...\m/) but he's leaving earlier than i expected and dariusz is finishing later than i expected...so i'm gonna look for another person coming over from Poland that I know or i might just bite the bullet and try and have it shipped over...i'm expecting to pay $400 extra on that x_o if it wasnted expected to finish mid-school i'd fly my ass over there too...

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I'm gonna say $400 is a realistic max for shipping and Custom ransom, I mean, tax charges to the US.

Funny thing is it only cost me $15 to mail my Kahler bridge to Poland. I'm not sure if Dariusz had to pay Custom charges on it or not. It was mine basical the whole time and was returned to me. I wonder if the US would charge you Custom tax if something was returned back from over seas for assemably?

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hmm well im going to europe the end of this year so if i do decide to get 1 and somehow make it to poland...then i wouldnt have to pay shipping and other crap

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Yea but only the higher end ESPs come with actives. the medium and lower classes of esp and jackson come with the passives EMGs with are pure shit. Standard Ran guitars come with active EMGs

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No son, I'm not saying Ran standards are bad or anything, just more logical to buy a standard series of ESP or Jackson w/ out paying huge shipping and shit. LTD's even come w/ real pickups, Duncans and EMG's. Almost all of the 2006 line of import Jacksons will now have real Duncans and EMG's too....

Yeah the jacksons got pickup upgrades. all you bastards should've waited til this year :P

Also, that white Dinky w/ the maple fretboard and black sharkfins in that brochure made me wet.

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eh im saving up for a new amp and after that i might get a custom Ran. Right now i have a platinum pro warlock with the emg zw set

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Thanks alot assholes Now I'm wanting yet another gutiar from Ran grrr....

I'll let you know If I get the funds and when i've ordered it and whatnot!...

Ozz

Building of my Ran commenceth in 2 weeks

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I have been reading this thread since the begginning and have finally ordered a custom RAN guitar for myself. Here are the specs:

R or L Handed - right handed
Body Shape - Other (below)
Construction - all access neck joint
Body Material - mahogany
Top Wood Options - quilted maple
Body Binding - Top - no Back - no
Binding Color - N/A
Pickup Configuration - HUM-HUM
Finish - Other (below)
Headstock Shape - Other (below)
Neck Material - mahogany
Reverse - no
Headstock Finish - black
Neck Finish - clear satin
Fingerboard - ebony
Number of Frets - 22
Fret Size - extra jumbo
Fingerboard Inlays - other (below)
Custom Inlays - yes
Fingerboard End - square
Fingerboard Binding - no
Headstock Binding - no
Binding Color - N/A
Nut - bone
Width - 1 11/16''
Hardware Color - chrome
Bridge System - Schaller Stop Tailpiece/Tune-O-Matic Schaller
Tuning Machines - Schaller M6
Pickups - Seymour Duncan
Pickup Model - Neck - S. Duncan SH-2
- Bridge - S. Duncan SH-8
Control Knobs - volume + tone
Pickup Selector - 3-way toggle
Hard Case - yes

Additional Instructions or Questions

-Body shape/headstock shape - http://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear/...no=Archtop_AT2H
-*Better Picture of body colour i would like http://www.deanguitars.com/hardtail/brazillia.html
-Inlays - mother of pearl with abolone - http://www.jacksonguitars.com/gear/...tno=SLS_Soloist ( the ones with MOP squares with abalone inside )
- I would like all hardware in chrome except i would like black pickup rings around the pickups.
-thank you

The building should take about 6 months so i have a long hard wait ahead of me.