RUN THREE UPDATE: PLUS SOME OTHER STUFF
In around ten days, we will release Run Three. It might be a bit more, or maybe a bit less. But that's a rough timeline. I highly recommend you turn on notifications for this group, and/or sign on to the mailing list on the website to avoid missing out. It will be right around the time this group will get SMASHED with updates of NGD's, so will be a little hectic!
There will be THREE phases to Run Three:
1. Release of SX models (6, 7 strings only)
Colours: blue flame with binding, and 1-2 others.
2. Release of HypeGTR model (6, 7, and 8 string)
Satin finish on Swamp Ash
3. There will be a surprise of one more thing
Lefties: I will discuss with our lefty dealer how to go about this. IF, and I say IF, we do lefties, it will be for ONE model only. There is more chance we will skip lefties this time, than go ahead. You may need to prove you are keen with a deposit to show numbers. THERE ARE LEFTIES coming in run one and two as spares, so dont stress too much.
As manufacturing is now pretty much all caught up after the fiascos last year, lead times WILL be reduced. I have pre-ordered the entire of Run Three, and booked manufacturing space.
Run three will be split into two delivery dates. Half of the orders will be set for one date. The other half for a later date. It will ALL be very clear on release, and you will know exactly which half you are in.
Run One vouchers, can be used for this release. Details are on the voucher, which will be in your case/box. Do not stress if your voucher has not arrived by the time we release Run Three, just pay your deposit as per normal, and sign on to a plan as per normal, and we will credit the voucher against the final bill.
Payment plans:
Mrs Ormsby has agreed to handle the plans, after seeing how many people requested we keep the lower cost per month plans in the last survey. We've worked on a solution to make admin stuff a bit easier. But, this will be a trial run. If the massive numbers of failed payments happen again ($35k for run two), we will reassess.
Numbers for run three will be limited. If people miss out, that is just too bad. Sorry! But, as usual, we will get some spares. However, Run Four will not be too far behind, approximately six weeks. Run Four will have a variety of HypeGTR models (3 most likely), and either a single Goliath or TX model. Then around July/August/Sept we release the "Shark SX", or the "Original Carved SX".
Dealers:
We are trying our hardest to get the best dealership network possible for you. We want you to be able to walk into a store and try a GTR, and buy it right there and then, if you like it. This is the end goal. But, not always do dealers rush into things, and to be honest, neither do we. We want the RIGHT stores, not just ANY stores. We are close to having some amazing deals done, but anything could fall over at any point. There will be a list of dealers you may pre-order from at the time of release for Run Three.
Website: 
I just found the soundbytes for pickups last night! Lost for 18 months, they were on a disc I managed to find. I'll upload them soon. But, with GTR Run One just about to hit peoples doorsteps, Im guess these old soundbytes are obsolete frown emoticon
Matt has gone through and made some big changes to a lot of the pages, so go take a look.
That's enough for now.

UPDATE RUN 1+3 - CUSTOMSHOP STUFF - FUTURE RUNS - ETC:
So, we will have a total of FIVE variations of colours for Run Three.
Firstly, this is primarily an SX run, so four colours will be available: 6/7 string, no lefties
Clear Deep Blue over Flame Maple 
Charcoal over Flame Maple 
Azure Blue (Matte, not gloss)
... and one more TBA
Also, one HypeGTR model will be available: 6/7/8 string, no lefties
Natural Swamp Ash (Matte)
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ETA for release of Run Three? Approximately 2-3 weeks. No fixed date, as we are working on Run 1 shipping and need to concentrate on that.
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There will be THREE payment plans. Unfortunately, when we offered the "low deposit and lower monthly payments to help people out" plan during run 2, it caused no end of problems. Non payers, arguments (they get an email every payment with a tally direct from paypal, but still argue they are $500 ahead..), etc etc. So, we have decided to no longer offer this. We tried it, but it didnt work. Sorry.
The plans we will have are: (all aussie dollars)
OPTION 1: Pay in full ($50 shipping rebate applies)
OPTION 2: 3 x equal payments of $500, with a final invoice at shipping time.
OPTION 3: 1 x $500 deposit, plus 3 x $300 payments ($900), one per month, with a final invoice at shipping time.
So, the minimum you will need to pre-order, will be $500 AUD ($375 USD)
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There will not be a "Limited Ten", like we did for Run 2. Don't know what that is? Don't worry...
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We are CONSIDERING a two price structure:
One for Aussies (in AUD). One for 'rest of world' in USD. Ultimately, the same price, but it protects us against movements in exchange rates, keeps payments consistent, and makes it easier for our overseas buyers to see the true price (rather than convert from AUD, or be confused by a higher number they think is USD but isnt...)
The future: There will be a change in pricing later this year. It may be that the pricing stays the same, but cases become an optional extra. Run 1 was always a "introductory price", and it was supposed to be revised for either run two or three. We will hold out until run five if we can.
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Run 1 was a total of 257 guitars. 
Run 2, 368. 
Run 3 will be no more than 250 pre-orders. We will be limiting the volume for our sanity. Future runs will be the same or smaller.
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Run 4 will be approximately 6-8 weeks after Run 3. It will feature the HypeGTR model in FOUR colours (2 x paint, 2 x exotic tops), plus a special TX model (most likely a one off model)
As we move forward, we would like to do something LIKE this:
Every second run is a HypeGTR run. Alternative runs are model specific, eg: SX, TX, Goliath, Metal, Split Top, etc etc. In addition to every ALTERNATIVE run, we offer a single HypeGTR model in very cut down specs. No fancy tops, etc. For every main HypeGTR run, we offer one of the other models as a single cut down version (mahogany TX in matte clear, for example).
Goliath: We are still developing hardware. We hope to have a manufacturing date of late September, which means a release date of mid May.
We have ordered 30 prototypes to be built of various models and colours, as predictions of where we will head over the next 12 months. We have ordered: Metal, Split Top, TX, Hype, SX, Goliath, and two new models being straight scale single and double cutaway shapes.
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Some changes will be implemented, regarding colour changes and cancellations. To date we have been EXTREMELY accommodating. Unfortunately, people have been taking advantage of this. The new rules will be fair, but firm. They will be much more generous than the law allows us to be. We will also be bringing in a "no change of ownership" rule. Our contract will be with the original purchaser, and no one else. We will not ship to anyone else. We are currently experiencing major issues between original purchasers, and new owners, before their guitars have even shipped. New buyers just want a guitar. Old clients dont want to settle the bill or confirm a sale. New clients are filling in the form for shipping. We can cross reference it against a sale... No more.
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CustomShop runs: We were going to announce something this month. But, we have too many cool projects we want to do instead, so there will be no announcements yet. What I can say is this: runs will be smaller, but more often.
SemiCustom runs: nothing new to report, we are still working out the finer details.
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Run 1 stuff:
We have been setting up guitars, checking frets, and if needed, fret levelling, then removing strings to polish frets, adjust pickups, etc etc etc etc. We trialled a new sequence, that simply bypasses the first check altogether, and goes straight to a full fret level REGARDLESS of if it needs it or not (one swipe of the fret level file and we can see anyway). It's actually quicker this way, by a long shot.
Our QC sequence: (*indicates we move to a new member of the team so we are all working on the same guitars and can potentially see more issues easier, each guitar is viewed at least six times by up to four people)
(Perry/Jett/Sophia/Dave)
Check electronics
Remove plates - check solder joints
Remove nut and tape to F/B
Pack pickups to avoid wobbles
Inspect neck and fix satin if needed 1500grit
Inspect paint and buff if needed
(Perry/Dave)
*Fret level
800, 1200, 1500, 2000 grit frets
polish/buff frets
(Perry/Jett/Sophia/Dave)
*Oil FB
Smooth off nut edges etc
Fit nut
(Jett/Sophia/Dave)
*Restring
Setup action 1.3mm treble – 1.6mm bass
Cut nut
Check for buzzing
Pre-final check over
(Perry/Jett/Sophia/Dave)
*Intonate
(Perry/Jett/Sophia)
*Final check over
Fit covers
Clean
(Perry/Shivvy)
*Load into case/box
Ship
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Run 1 spares:
Will be released when we are ready to release them. Pestering us will not give you priority. smile emoticon Just be patient.
Blem stock:
If we find any guitars with paint blemishes that we do not feel are within spec, we will be respraying them. They will be unique colours not available in the normal runs, so we can experiment and see what looks nice. These will then be offered up at a later date.
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Future stuff:
We are planning to move into a larger premise later this year. This will give us a heap more space for stockpiling timbers (we are over capacity right now, my spa has been emptied and used for storage), cases (my patio is like case tetris right now), shipping boxes (games room? WHAT GAMES ROOM!), and also allow us to keep stock of GTRs so that runs are less important.
We would also love a small showroom for the local guys, and to bring back the guitar making courses. 
At the moment, we could easily handle an extra set of hands around the shop for basic stuff like cleaning and sorting out bits and pieces, but with three of us full time its quite cramped.
We do have a couple locations we are looking at, one being the very same location we started at 12 years ago, but the main workshop, not the side room smile emoticon
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Dealers:
So far, signed on, with stock arriving soon:
Red Dragon Guitars (USA) (Jon Pugh)
Lefties Guitar Emporium (AUS - NSW) (mostly lefty stock but some righties, Troi Darlington)
Goodger Music (AUS - QLD) (Nathan Goodger) 
Kosmic Sound (AUS - WA) (Alex Lassetter)
Been talking with a LOT more, but, they are all dragging their feet. So, we continue to do direct sales for now...
The End