Home of Atomic Custom Guitars. "Hand Made" in the U.S.A.
ATOMIC "HAND MADE" GUITARS
Atomic Custom Guitars are made by Tim Mulqueeny and Harry Howard in our Peoria, Arizona facility. From the beginning, each guitar is made of only the finest tone woods and hardware combinations. Then, every guitar is crafted by hand using time honored techniques. Each guitar we build uses the Atomic Direct Mount Pickup System, this greatly increases sustain and harmonic resonance. Other unique features are our "Hand Fit" neck joint and "Square" neck heel. These features will provide you with reduced neck shifting, increased access and playing comfort.
- STANDARD FEATURES:
- Choice of 7 models (Sc21, Isotope, Uranium, Rhodium, Vanadium, Teleurium and Cerinum)
- BASSWOOD BODY
- MAPLE NECK AND FINGERBOARD
- 25 ½ SCALE LENGTH 22 fret (Sc21, Isotope, Uranium and Cerinum)
- 24 3/4 SCALE LENGTH 24 fret, SET NECK (Rhodium, Vanadirm)
- 2 WAY TRUSS ROD
- TUNG OIL NECK FINISH
- STANDARD OR REVERSE HEADSTOCK
- DOT FRET MARKERS (TOP AND SIDE)
- ATOMIC SQUARED NECK JOINT
- 1 HUMBUCKER
- SEYMOUR DUNCAN PICKUP (CHOICE OF SH-1 59’er, SH-4 JB, SH-5 CUSTOM, SH-6 DISTORTION)
- 1 VOLUME POT 500k
- METAL DOME KNOB
- GOTOH TUNERS
- HARDTAIL OR WRAP AROUND BRIDGE
- FULL SHIELDING OF PICKUPS AND CONTROL CAVITY
- STANDARD FINISHES (BLACK, WHITE, RED, ATOMIC YELLOW AND SATIN BLACK)
- CUSTOM OPTIONS:
- MOHOGANY, ALDER, POPLAR BODY
- EXOTIC WOOD TOPS
- 24 3/4 SCALE LENGTH WITH 24 FRETS
- CUSTOM INLAYS
- ADDITIONAL PICKUPS
- CUSTOM SWITCHING
- WILKINSON VS100 TREMOLO
- ORIGINAL FLOYD ROSE TREMOLO
- CUSTOM TINTED TRANSPERANT FINISHES
- SPECIAL EFFECT PAINT
- CUSTOM GRAPHICS
- AND MANY MORE
Every guitar we build features:
Seymour Duncan pickups.
100% "Hand Made" construction.
Atomic "Direct Mount" pickup system.
"Press Fit" squared neck joint for less shifting and increased sustain.
All Atomic Custom Guitars come with a 5 year warranty.
TONAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD
Here are some examples of the wood we use in the construction of our guitars,
and how they affect your tone.
ALDER: The most common tone wood in the guitar industry. Nice even tone with good sustain. Rich and full sound with strong midrange characteristics.
BASSWOOD: Strong midrange, very balanced tone and is lightweight. Basswood is best for solid colors or is excellent as a backing wood for a Maple top. All types of neck wood combinations work great with Basswood. 
BIG LEAF QUILTED MAPLE: Great choice for 5/8" thick arch top. Will brighten up the tone of a mahogany back and neck.
BUBINGA (FIGURED): Tight low and mid range sound. Used for great bass response. Suggested use is for arch and drop tops.
COCOBOLO: Commonly used as an alternate for rosewood. Enhances mids and highs without being overly bright. Dramatic figure, ease of maintenance and great tonal qualities make this one of our favorite fingerboard woods.
EBONY: We offer 2 types of ebony. Gaboon Ebony is very dark, a prime piece is almost black. Maccasser Ebony is black and brown stripped. They offer the widest spectrum of tone. With the most clarity you can get in a guitar.
KOA: A premium tone wood. Similar to alder in tone but with a broader low end and a resonate singing high end. When this wood is available in body sized diminsons, it commands a premium price.
KOA (FIGURED): Same as above but only used as a top wood. Works exceptionally well with an alder or mahogany back.
MAHOGONY (AFRICAN): Strong with a good high-midrange. Contrary to popular belief, mahogany is not dark, it gives it the tonal illusion that it's compressed. Mahogany body is a great choice for a maple or mahogany neck. Very excellent choice for a figured maple top.
MAHOGONY (FIGURED): When available we use this wood for solid natural finished guitars. It is also available as a back wood upon request.
MAPLE (BIRDSEYE) Our Maple necks are 1-piece. Maple has a unique tone, strong in the mids with a twangy high end. Maple is great for good harmonics with a warm tone.
MAPLE (FLAMED/QUILTED): Typically used as a drop top or a 5/8 full arch top. Very bright tone that will bring the guitar to life.
MAPLE (HARD ROCK): Our Maple necks are 1-piece. Maple has a unique tone, strong in the mids with a twangy high end. This type of maple is the standard wood we use on all of our guitars.
PADUAK: EXCELLENT TONE!!! Very warm inviting tone that will bring new inspiration to any guitarist. Compressed low end and even tonal spectrum. Only available in oil finish, this works very well with any maple neck and fretboard combination.
POPLAR: Paint grade wood. Similar in tone to alder but with slightly heavier weight. A common choice by several major manufactures.
ROSEWOOD: The most common choice for fingerboards. Provides a warm tone without being muddy. We offer different species when available, or upon special request. 
WALNUT: Commonly used for drop tops. We carefully choose every walnut top for tightness of figure and grain. Does not overpower the tonal properties of the body wood.
ZIRICOTE: Crisp sound with open mids. Typically figured with black stripes over a dark gray background. Excellent choice for a fretboard.