My long awaited second Michaud Made build thread!

[JJI]

I present the first Michaud Drop D
This idea was swimming in Joel's head at Woodstock a couple years back. Joel spoke with the legend, Michi Matsuda, about it for advice and also "permission" (Michi wasn't the first but he may be the originator of this kind of Drop D idea). Michi gave his blessing and said he was looking forward to seeing Joel's take on it.

Joel's aesthetic, as we've seen here, is more simplistic and minimalist so this had to vibe with that. And boy does it.

Joel also spoke with a number of builders and techs about zero fret vs. standard nut and the census leaned towards having the E land on the a fret. Joel also looked for a kind of intentional asymmetry, thus all the tuners on one side and the slothead on the bass.

Well, Marcus had been bugging Joel for a good while about actually doing this, though not for him. Marcus just wanted Joel to grow, and build out this design that was in his head. Joel said no. Hahaha! Well, Marcus...guess what!

[AEmanuele]

Alright, I'll bite.....


How the hell does this work?

[Nemoman]

Whoa--that's some serious cool factor there!

Form follows function--this is awesome!

[Joel Teel]

Well played!!!!!

I went back and looked at the previous pictures of the neck, and see that they only show the bottom of the headstock...and with only the single High-E hole visible in the image. I never even questioned, in my mind, why the entire headstock wasn't being shown in the picture. Now it's all crystal clear.....

..........and absolutely, fantastically, incredibly GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by Howard F.

Interesting, is it gonna be on 1st and 2nd string only like Jon's?

Hey Howard, I believe so!

[Marcus Wong]

I am absolutely speechless...!!! That is such an incredible design and I can't believe it is going to be mine. Joel really outdid himself here; I know it's not an orthodox design that appeals to everyone but it definitely hits all the right spots for me! I have no idea how to play with such a contraption but I know that I am going to enjoy the process of learning how to very much

What I love about everything that has transpired throughout this build so far is that Joel has not asked me for approval on anything and just went full steam ahead with it. And he has managed to surprise me not once, not twice, but... I have lost count of how many times!

I really cannot put into words how I am feeling right now but it is some superlative version of joy and excitement!!

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by AEmanuele

Alright, I'll bite.....


How the hell does this work?

I have no idea. All I know is that I LOVE it! I wonder how I will be stringing it up too

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Whoa--that's some serious cool factor there!

Form follows function--this is awesome!

I couldn't agree more! It's been quite a journey watching Joel's progress throughout the years and watching his craft constantly evolve.

Originally Posted by Wood Knot

Well played!!!!!

I went back and looked at the previous pictures of the neck, and see that they only show the bottom of the headstock...and with only the single High-E hole visible in the image. I never even questioned, in my mind, why the entire headstock wasn't being shown in the picture. Now it's all crystal clear.....

..........and absolutely, fantastically, incredibly GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to go back to see those photos after reading what you said - what a sneaky duo they are the same thing with the unfinished rosette! Thank you for the compliments, I really can't wait to receive this one

[ericcsong]

Originally Posted by AEmanuele

How the hell does this work?

If it's like Matsuda's design, it will have a built in capo.

[JamesO]

Wow. That is really cool. Joel found a really artistic way to execute it, too. I love the way he laid out the tuners. It's such a fantastic, tasteful, and artistic design all around. So cool!

[Burton LeGeyt]

Looks slick!

[Marcus Wong]

Originally Posted by ericcsong

If it's like Matsuda's design, it will have a built in capo.

Yup! There should be a built in capo. Now I just have to figure out how Joel is going to execute it

Originally Posted by JamesO

Wow. That is really cool. Joel found a really artistic way to execute it, too. I love the way he laid out the tuners. It's such a fantastic, tasteful, and artistic design all around. So cool!

Originally Posted by Burton LeGeyt

Looks slick!

Thanks guys! Despite it being close to the finish line, there are still a few things yet to be revealed - the capo, the metal inlays, the tuners. Knowing Joel, I am sure there will be a few more surprises to come

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by AEmanuele

Alright, I'll bite.....


How the hell does this work?

Same as a banjo, in reverse.

That is super cool.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wong

I am absolutely speechless...!!! That is such an incredible design and I can't believe it is going to be mine. Joel really outdid himself here; I know it's not an orthodox design that appeals to everyone but it definitely hits all the right spots for me! I have no idea how to play with such a contraption but I know that I am going to enjoy the process of learning how to very much

What I love about everything that has transpired throughout this build so far is that Joel has not asked me for approval on anything and just went full steam ahead with it. And he has managed to surprise me not once, not twice, but... I have lost count of how many times!

I really cannot put into words how I am feeling right now but it is some superlative version of joy and excitement!!

So the drop D thing wasn't something you requested or discussed?

How cool is that.

[rogthefrog]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wong

You're kidding me!

For those of you who are not aware of what these are, these are locking banjo tuners popularised by Jon Gomm in his song Passionflower (do check it out if you haven't yet!)

Actually... those were popularized by Adrian Legg in the 90s.

They're fun. I have a couple on my HG. <3

[s2y]

Bassists started using this a while ago. I think it was ultimately phased out by adding a low B string.