Hi

I am a luthier, guitar maker specifically but not limited to just guitars.

As well as making acoustic instruments I make solid body or hollow body electrics.

I want to offer a custom build service to performance artists where, within reason, I can design guitar hardware to their custom designs as part of the build process and combine these with hand-crafted wood parts to form a completed instrument.
This service will offer them the opportunity to have their name/logo within the design as well as taking some ownership of the design process.

I worked for 25years in the telecoms industry and developed a cable management product through to Patent and prototyping but just short of production, so I have some design experience, using Solidworks as a design tool. I currently work part time as a Technician in a High School and use Denford cnc equipment but not extensively.

I would be looking to mill custom parts from steel/bronze/copper/aluminium with a working envelope of 150 x 100 x 60 approximately and possibly some turned parts. I dont have a budget in mind as I am not sure which particular maching or software package will suit me and this is a near future target so maybe within the next year.

If anyone can spare any time to advise me of a way forward I would be very grateful.

Thanks