What is a CalStyle Custom Build?

CalStyle will work with you to design and build a one-of-a-kind instrument. Our collaborative design process ensures that you get an instrument that reflects your musical and personal style and delivers the absolute best in quality and workmanship.

You can also give a custom build as a gift. This process is essentially like purchasing a gift certificate for your giftee. You decide the amount, we'll provide a physical or virtual certificate for you to give, and then we'll work directly with the giftee to build them the instrument they want.

Full Custom Build

Starting with your preferences, we’ll create a variety of designs for you to consider. You’ll give feedback, and we’ll revise the plans, and we’ll do this as many times as it takes to get to a design that blows away your expectations. At this point, we will give you a firm price for the build, which is paid in two installments. Then we’ll source the materials and electronics that meet your specs. Then we’ll build your instrument. We’re only done when you are 100% ecstatic with your custom build.

Customized Production Build

You can have one of our standard production models built to your specs. Simply contact us and we'll gather your requirements, provide a final price for the build, and go forward from there. Customized production builds are usually less expensive than a full custom, but ultimately, that depends on what you specify.

How much does it cost?

Cost depends entirely on your preferences for design, materials, and hardware. For full custom builds, we start with a design deposit of $100 and provide a full price quote once the design is finalized. For customized production models, no design deposit is required.

One third of the final price is due before beginning the build. This initial payment is non-refundable and is used to source the materials required for your build. The balance is due only when the project is complete, and you are satisfied with the build. The instrument is delivered after the balance is paid. After the initial payment, you can cancel your project at any time before the balance is paid and no additional payment is required. In this case, we normally finish the project and sell it from our shop in an effort to recover our time and labor costs.

How long does it take?

Again, this depends on a lot of factors including the rarity of the materials you want, the complexity of the build, and where you are in the build queue (i.e., how many projects are ahead of you in line).

Reserve your spot in the build queue

Payment of the $100 design deposit secures your spot in the build queue. We normally accept deposits via a payment service like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle. Contact us, and we'll work out the details with you.