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Date: Tue, 12 May 2026 15:18:28 +0100
From: hello@expressmusic.co.uk
To: Joseph Eveson <evesonjj@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Atkin custom order
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Hi Joe
I would need to double check with Atkin that scale length is an option 
on a J43, not something we have done before.
Longer scale length and 14 fret would be marginally better for your 
needs in our opinion.
I will enquire now.
Phil
:)


On 2026-05-12 14:50, Joseph Eveson wrote:
> Hi Phil,
> 
> That's great thank you - significantly less than the custom lowden I'm
> looking at!
> 
> I forgot to ask - in terms of fret and scale length, which of these
> would be better for drop tunings and fingerstyle:
> 
> 12 fret Vs 14 fret
> 
> 24.75 scale length Vs 25.5
> 
> Ideally I'd like a 12 fret 24.75, but I'm not sure if that would be
> worse for what I'm intending to use it for.
> 
> If 24.75 and 12 fret would work - could I add that to the spec and
> would it change the price?
> 
> Thanks again,
> 
> Joe
> 
> On Tue, 12 May 2026, 14:45 , <hello@expressmusic.co.uk> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Jospeh
>> 
>> Just heard back from Atkin
>> 
>> Base price for a standard J43 will be £3499 (at current pricelist)
>> 
>> -45mm nut is no extra charge
>> 
>> -Ebony Board & Bridge @£200
>> 
>> -Whiskey sunset isn't an 'official' finish but can be special
>> ordered,
>> if you find an example just forward the image and the factory will
>> do
>> their best to match, at no extra charge.
>> 
>> -Set up w/ 13s no extra charge (let us know your most popular tuning
>> for
>> this)
>> 
>> Total w/ 45mm nut & ebony board/bridge £3699
>> 
>> -I have double checked and Adirondack tops are available as an
>> upgrade
>> on standard models @£600
>> 
>> Total w/ 45mm Nut, Ebony board & bridge etc. + Adirondack top £4299
>> 
>> Most Atkin tops are quite clean looking so there shouldn't be too
>> much
>> variety, less noticeable if burst as well (they dont have an option
>> to
>> hand pick a tops due to the extra work/time)
>> 
>> Speak soon
>> Phil
>> Express Music
>> 
>> On 2026-05-12 11:02, Joseph Eveson wrote:
>>> Hi Phil,
>>> 
>>> That's great! Thanks for getting back to me and for following it
>> up.
>>> I've played a J43 before and really liked it so I'm set on the
>>> shape/size.
>>> 
>>> My other request was for it to be strung (and possibly braced?)
>> for
>>> .13s as I would mainly play it in alternate tunings. Things like
>>> CGDGAD etc. the issue I've had with guitars normally is that they
>> are
>>> braced for .12s and then have the situation that .12s are too thin
>> for
>>> drop tunings, but .13s create too much tension for the neck. Would
>>> that be an option?
>>> 
>>> Also, do you know if I have any choice over soundboard? Would they
>>> have a few different red spruce tops that I could choose from? It
>>> isn't a deal breaker by any means but I like the idea that I'd
>> chosen
>>> the exact top!
>>> 
>>> Are there options for finish too? I particularly like the whiskey
>>> sunset finish so would go for that - unless they have a catalogue
>> or
>>> something which lists all of the choices?
>>> 
>>> Thanks again,
>>> 
>>> Joe
>>> 
>>> On Tue, 12 May 2026, 10:54 , <hello@expressmusic.co.uk> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi Joseph
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks for the email.
>>>> 
>>>> We do quite a few custom builds with Atkin as well as stock a
>> good
>>>> range
>>>> of standard models for customers to try.
>>>> 
>>>> I will email Atkin now to double check pricing for your spec and
>>>> confirm
>>>> a exact price once I hear back from them.
>>>> 
>>>> Off the top of my head it should only add £200-300 to the price
>> of
>>>> a
>>>> standard model.
>>>> 
>>>> Lead time is normally 3-6 months so we should have plenty of time
>> to
>>>> get
>>>> it sorted.
>>>> 
>>>> 25% deposit to get the order on the system & then balance due on
>>>> collection/shipping.
>>>> 
>>>> Let me know if theres anything you need from us and your more
>> than
>>>> welcome to pop by the shop to try a few Atkins and have a chat
>> about
>>>> the
>>>> options.
>>>> 
>>>> Speak soon
>>>> Phil
>>>> :)
>>>> 
>>>> On 2026-05-11 17:07, Joseph Eveson wrote:
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I'm doing some forward planning for my 40th next year and
>>>> exploring
>>>>> some custom shop options - would you mind giving me some
>>>> information
>>>>> about how you guys do it? I haven't ordered a custom guitar
>> before
>>>> so
>>>>> I've got no clue. I contacted Atkin themselves first and they
>>>> directed
>>>>> me to you.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Essentially, I'd like a J43 - but I'd prefer an ebony
>> fingerboard
>>>>> rather than rosewood and I'd like it to be aged in the way that
>>>> you
>>>>> do. I'd also prefer a wider nut (I'm a fingerstyle player).
>>>>> 
>>>>> If I were to go ahead with you guys, the could you tell me:
>>>>> 
>>>>> Would I have the option to choose the soundboard wood? Is there
>> a
>>>> red
>>>>> spruce option?
>>>>> 
>>>>> What would be the approx cost of the above guitar (I appreciate
>> it
>>>>> would be approximate, but if could give a rough idea, then it
>>>> would
>>>>> help me plan)
>>>>> 
>>>>> The deposit you'd need to get started
>>>>> 
>>>>> When you would need the balance to be paid
>>>>> 
>>>>> The lead time to have it made (again, approximate is fine)
>>>>> 
>>>>> Many thanks,
>>>>> 
>>>>> Joe