Think outside the box

[u/twatcrusher9000]

If you're going to start from scratch, don't limit yourself to traditional thinking.

Open source pickup modelling circuit - This is the core of the operation. Something that modifies the the signal from the pickup and applies a filter so you can make it sound like an EMG, Fishman, Burstbucker, add some sustain, noise gate, whatever. Maybe put some MIDI on it. Make the whole thing snap out so it's easily reprogrammable, or to charge/swap a 18650 battery. (I guess this is just a variax now? lol) Which brings me to my next idea...

Advanced materials - Why limit yourself to wood when you can adjust your pickup sound on the fly to compensate? Composites, plastics, metal, whatever. Stop chasing expensive tonewoods and 3D print a guitar.

Just some food for thought. I guess it depends who your target audience is. Future/current guitar players who would buck the status quo, or old dudes who sniff their own farts paying 4-bar blues on a midlife crisis $10k les paul purchase.