IN DEVELOPMENT: Limited Run BMW Guitars by Ronin Guitars

[BrooklynMW]

I work for an up and coming guitar company called Ronin Guitars. We are a new company but we're blowing up fast. Guitars are selling at a rapid pace and there is already a waiting list for new models. These guitars have been in the hands of Kieth Richards, John Mayer, etc. One guitar is now being personally built for Johnny Winter. The guitars are built in Humbolt County, CA, painted in Tennesee, then shipped to our main workshop/office in New York City. Part of what I'm doing out here in L.A. is representing the companies West Coast presence, and presenting the guitars to LA musicians and recording studios.

Please check out our website: http://www.roninguitars.com

The master builder and I are both BMW nuts, and had an idea to design a limited run of BMW inspired guitars, using original factory paint colors, ///M or Alpina striping, kidney grills, emblems, etc.

Not only are we trying to get feedback from the music community, but also the BMW community to see what the reactions are before we put any into production.

We have started with 2 designs. Please take a look at some of my ROUGH photo shop sketches.



Guitar 1: Ronin Songbird e36 M3, Laguna Seca Blue:

With M logo knobs, Blue and Red striping, "///M Technic" on the 12th Fret, Kidney Grill inspired pickups


With Roundel knobs, German color striping, Kindey grill inlay on the 12th fret, and "///M Technic" etched into the pickups


With the German striping in a different position






Guitar 2: Ronin Mirari Alpina e30, Hennarot:

With horizontal Alpina pinstriping, Alpina Lettering etched into the pickups, Alpina emblem tone knobs, BMW roundel "rhythm/treble" toggle switch, and German M striping on the 12th fret inlay


Similar design, only Alpina name also within the pinstriping, and e30 kidney grill 12th fret inlay



We'd love to hear some feedback, from guitarists and non-guitarists. Thanks!

[BrooklynMW]

t

[323iNathan]

Not a fan of the Laguna Seca colour on the guitar, try techno violet!
Or if you wanna keep it e30 I'd say Lachsilber, or maybe Calypsorot?


Love the first Alpina Mirari though!

How much to send down under??? haha

[Ray Smoodiver]

I smell a lawsuit!

[BoxDriver86]

I used to be known for wearing VW and BMW related clothing at every show, why not play a BMW inspired guitar? I think that's pretty sweet. I'm in the market for a new guitar so thanks for the link!

[e30e]

I smell a lawsuit!

+1, you need to look into what your doing before selling this stuff.

[beybedba]

the dual hum alpina looks sick

[BrooklynMW]

I smell a lawsuit!

+1, you need to look into what your doing before selling this stuff.

Yes, we realize this is an issue. I have a contact over at BMW Design International who is going to help us work out the details. Worst case scenario is we don't get to use any logo or trim, but there is nothing illegal about using the paint codes. On the other hand, part of what we intend to do for the company's promotion is place these guitars in high end BMW service shops and possible dealerships. So, yeah, we gotta work out the legal rammifications.

How much to send down under??? haha

I used to be known for wearing VW and BMW related clothing at every show, why not play a BMW inspired guitar? I think that's pretty sweet. I'm in the market for a new guitar so thanks for the link!

If you are really interested in a Ronin, (BMW or not), PM me and we can work out some details and get one in your hands.

[txtorquemade]

What pickups (brand) are you using?

[xwill112x]

they look like shitty guitars imo, but cool paint jobs. comming from a guitarist.

[Mossman]

If I could play guitar I'd have major wood for the Henna one without the Alpina logo.

[BrooklynMW]

What pickups (brand) are you using?

The Henna Mirari has "Roninbuckers", custom wired humbuckers commissioned by us and built for us by Seymour Duncan.

The Songbird has NOS '67 Gold Foil Pickups. Gives you a nice shimmery sound. I would say the gold foils' sound is somewhere between a Dogear P-90, and a Telecaster lipstick pup.

Ronin uses a variety of pickups, both custom made and NOS. Anything from Roninbuckers and Gold Foils, to custom Firebird mini-humbuckers and Staple P-90's. All pickups are re-wired to proper specs

Go here: http://www.roninguitars.com/ronin-library/ for a complete readout of our pickup selection.

they look like shitty guitars imo, but cool paint jobs. comming from a guitarist.

Hey, friend, thanks for the positive feedback! But I guarantee you these are not shitty guitars. These are handbuilt with care and precision, using the best materials in the guitar business. We have worked out every kink you would get when you buy a Gibson or a Fender. If they were so Shitty, would we be building a custom "Pheonix" (based on Gibson Firebird) for Johnny Winter? Would Kieth Richards be in our shop playing a Songbird? I think not.

If I could play guitar I'd have major wood for the Henna one without the Alpina logo.

Get crackin buddy! It's never too late.

[archie]

That first guitar is awesome with the M stripes. Would look so killer in Zinno or AW.Digging the knobs too.

Dude I would SO rock one of these hanging in my Rock and roll Ice Cream Truck.
Pm me please.

[deutschman]

I am really digging the Alpina guitar! Looks like it was meant to be. How ever I do not really like the pickups on the other two guitars. I think they would look a lot classier with regular chrome pick ups. They just do not flow right and kind of ketch the eye in a bad way.

[BrooklynMW]

That first guitar is awesome with the M stripes. Would look so killer in Zinno or AW.Digging the knobs too.

Dude I would SO rock one of these hanging in my Rock and roll Ice Cream Truck.
Pm me please.

PM'ed

I am really digging the Alpina guitar! Looks like it was meant to be. How ever I do not really like the pickups on the other two guitars. I think they would look a lot classier with regular chrome pick ups. They just do not flow right and kind of ketch the eye in a bad way.

Yeah, you're right, the kidney grill pickups was a silly idea. The '67 Goldfoil pickups that are actually on the guitar in the photo won't be the ones used on the BMW guitar. Probably will use standard Songbird pickups which look like mini-humbuckers, or Firebird pickups.