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Contriver instruments are priced as a result of how they are designed and built, not to compete with factory throughput or outsourced labor.
Each instrument is engineered, constructed, finished, and set up end-to-end by the same builder.
Design decisions, material selection, digital modeling, CNC programming, hand refinement, finishing, and final setup are all handled in-house.
Pricing reflects the full scope of that responsibility.
Design & Engineering time
Scale geometry, Neck Structure, Material Pairing, and tolerance planning — before any wood is cut.
Digital Manufacturing Work
CAD modeling, CAM programming, fixture design, and verification cuts specific to each platform.
Hand correction and Judgment
CNC produces accuracy. It does not produce instruments.
Final geometry, feel, and finish quality are resolved by hand.
Material Selection & Risk
Exotic and structural woods are selected, processed, and rejected when they don’t meet long-term stability requirements.
Finish Work and Curing Time
Time is a material. Rushing it shows.
Long-term Serviceability
These instruments are built so they can be maintained, repaired, and adjusted years down the line.
Not disposed of.
These instruments are priced so that
The work is done carefully, not rushed.
Compromises aren’t made to meet artificial margins.
The person building your instrument is still here to service it years later.
That sustainability is part of the product.
Foundation Series
CAD $3,300
Refraction Series Typically Begin At
CAD $3,800 - $4000
Concision Series Typically Begin At
CAD $4,400 – $4,700
Highly Customized or R&D-Heavy Builds
Quoted Case-by-Case
Final Pricing Depends On
Series
Scale Configuration and Neck Construction
Material Selection
Electronics and Hardware
Finish Complexity
Development or One-Off Design Work
If you’re interested in commissioning an instrument, the process starts with a conversation.
We’ll Talk About
How You Play
What You Need the Instrument To Do
What Matters and What Doesn’t
Good instruments come from aligned expectations.
If this approach resonates with you, I’m happy to talk through a build and see if it makes sense — for both of us.
Hands-on build courses start at $5,000
Covering guided instruction, shop access, and materials for a Contriver instrument built alongside Brett Bailey.
Pricing reflects the depth of involvement, time on the bench, and one-on-one oversight throughout the process.
Finished instruments go home with the builder, with potential opportunities to continue working with Contriver after completion.
Professional Buyers Consultation service providing expert guidance and advice to assist you in making informed decisions when selecting one of our instruments.
In-depth discussions will cover the fundamental mathematics underlying fretboard geometry and neck profile, along with considerations regarding wood selection, finish, and electronics.
Throughout our session, we'll examine 3D models, and detailed sketches of your instrument to ensure it meets your preferences and requirements.

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play with ingenuity