Order Process

Idea

Already know what you want? Great! If not, feel free to browse the completed builds or contact me and we will figure it out together.
Below there is a list of options available for customization.
Deposit

There is no need to pay the whole price upfront. A 30% deposit is all that is needed to get started with your build. The rest you can pay at your convenience while I'm building your guitar.
3D Model

After the order is placed, I will build a virtual model of your guitar. This allows you to see what you'll get before anything is set in stone (or wood in this case ;)
Building

Upon approval of the model I will start building and you'll get regular updates as I make progress on your guitar.
Play

Now it is your turn, what music will you create with your very own unique instrument?

Lead Time

Good things take time. Depending on the complexity of your build and how many other guitars are due to be built, the time from placing the order to a finished guitar is 3-6 Months. Please note that this is my best estimate, but not a guarantee.

Available Models

Alchemist

A modern take on a classic double cut, this is by far the most popular model.
This shape is also available as a bass with 4 or 5 strings.
6-String: starting at 1700 CHF (starting 2025: 2200CHF)
7-String: starting at 1775 CHF (starting 2025: 2300CHF)
8-String: starting at 1850 CHF (starting 2025: 2400CHF)
for 9 or more strings please contact me directly
4-String Bass: starting at 1900 CHF (starting 2025: 2400CHF)
5-String Bass: starting at 2000 CHF (starting 2025: 2550CHF)
6-String Bass: starting at 2100 CHF (starting 2025: 2700CHF)
*1 CHF is roughly 1.06 Euro or 1.15 USD

Necromancer

Aggressive edges and points while still managing to stay comfortable to play. This model just screams metal.
6-String: starting at 1800 CHF (starting 2025: 2300CHF)
7-String: starting at 1875 CHF (starting 2025: 2400CHF)
8-String: starting at 1950 CHF (starting 2025: 2500CHF)
for 9 or more strings please contact me directly
*1 CHF is roughly 1.06 Euro or 1.15 USD

Vanquisher

V-Guitars don't just look awesome but also give you the best possible access to the high frets. This model is a rather compact version of a V making it very comfortable to play.
6-String: starting at 1700 CHF (starting 2025: 2200CHF)
7-String: starting at 1775 CHF (starting 2025: 2300CHF)
8-String: starting at 1850 CHF (starting 2025: 2400CHF)
for 9 or more strings please contact me directly
*1 CHF is roughly 1.06 Euro or 1.15 USD

*The base price includes a fixed bridge, single humbucker pickup, and natural wood or solid color in a matte open-pore finish. All my builds come standard with carbon-fiber neck reinforcement, 24 stainless steel frets, Luminlay side dots, and included gig bag.

Also please note the pictures shown are not base configurations but feature various upgrades.

Hardware

We like to use headless hardware from Nova Guitarparts, but on request other hardware can be used. For a small extra charge the color of the hardware can be customized.

Fixed Bridge

Included in the base price it is comfortable to play and easy to change tuning.

Nova Guitarparts: Included
Technology4Musicians (T4M): 150 CHF

Tremolo

For more expressive freedom all models can be equipped with a tremolo bridge.

Nova Guitarparts: 150 CHF
Sophia: from 350 CHF
Technology4Musicians (T4M): from 300 CHF

Electronics

Arguably the biggest contribution to tone, the pickup selection is a very personal one. For this reason, there are no default options, but you have free choice of anything that is available on the market as well as my own hand-wound Dark Art Pickups.

If you only ever use the bridge pickup, why pay for a neck pickup?
The base price includes models from EMG, DiMarzio, or Dark Art Guitars. For a quote with your personal favorite, please reach out directly.
The most versatile option, allowing you to get a wide range of different sounds with a flick of a switch. Depending on the model, 3 or 5-Way switch, or coil-tap functionality with a push-pull knob can be added.
The price for HH configurations starts at 100 CHF, but please reach out for a quote on your favorite set.
Naturally Dark Art Guitars can not just play metal but any genre. Upon request HSS or other pickup configurations are also available.
If you are looking for infinite sustain as well as rich harmonics a Sustainiac might be for you. Any Dark Art Guitar can be equipped with a Sustainiac transducer upon request. Extra charge: 400 CHF
For even more sonic variety the bridges from T4M can be equipped with Piezo saddles. This will allow you to blend an acoustic sound with the tones from the magnetic pickups.
Extra charge: 400 CHF

Customization

While there are certain default options for an Alchemist build, just about anything can be customized upon request. Below are some common options you might want to change.

Scale Length

Default:
6-String: 25-25.5in
6-String Baritone: 28in
7-String: 25.5-26.5in
8-String: 25.5-27in

Extra charge for custom scale: 100 CHF

Inlay

Either as an aid for finding your way around the fretboard or just for aesthetic value, inlay provides many interesting options. The base price includes a Dark Art Guitars logo on the first fret, as well as a choice of position markers. The color can also be chosen for free. Naturally, it is also possible to not have any inlay.

Default options:
- Circles (center, left, or offset)
- Dots
- Block

Extra charge for custom inlay depends on design and material. Simple 12th fret designs start at 100 CHF. Larger and more intricate designs start at 200 CHF.

Available Woods

The backbone and soul of any guitar, there are endless different choices for body and neck woods. Some of them have characteristic sounds they are known for, while others just look plain stunning.

At Dark Art Guitars there is virtually no limit on what woods you can choose for your build. Below is a list of some common options and how much they add to the price of the instrument.

Please contact me directly to find out what exotic and domestic woods are in stock at the moment. If my wood stock doesn’t have what you’re looking for, I’m sure one of my dozens of suppliers worldwide has something that fits the bill.

Top Woods

Below is a list of some available drop-tops from my wood library. Due to the sheer number of possibilities it is best you reach out to me directly if you're interested in a custom top, the ones below are just a small selection. I am also more than happy to pull from the vast selection of my global suppliers ensuring that we will find the right top for your custom guitar.

All of the light-colored woods can, of course, be stained any color you would like, including multi-color bursts or fades.

Body Woods

Ash has very pronounced grain that gives a unique texture to your guitar. It can also be stained any color you like.
Options:
- European/Swiss Ash
- Swamp Ash
With it's stunning color ranging from orange to red with streaks of brown Padauk is definitely a looker! It is slightly heavier than some other woods, but still manageable.
Extra charge: 50 CHF
Alder is very smooth in appearance and feel. It is also fairly light, making it perfect for painted guitars.
Mahogany barely needs an introduction, it is one of the most common guitar woods. It is fairly light weight and light brown to slightly orange in color, but can be stained to appear more red.
Options:
- Sapele
- Khaya
A common name for dark patterned Korina, Black Limba is another visually stunning wood with a good light and dark contrast. It is also fairly light weight.
Extra charge: 100 CHF
This is just a small selection of available body woods, so if you have something else in mind, feel free to reach out.

Neck Woods

The options for neck woods are also plentiful. The base price of the guitar includes a single-piece or up to 5-piece multi-laminate neck with standard woods. Below are some options, but feel free to reach out with your own ideas.

- Wenge
- Mahogany
- Maple
- Flamed Maple
- Purpleheart
- Padauk
- Walnut
- Ovangkol
- Black Limba
- 7-Piece or more Neck (from 50 CHF)
- Premium Woods (from 25 CHF)

Thoroughly confused or ready to order?

I am happy to answer any questions you have, just shoot me an email or a DM on Instagram.

Get in touch

Order Process

Idea

Deposit

3D Model

Building

Play