.....Last Kick of the ball.... The bridge must be located very accurately - it's a one shot deal. If it goes in the wrong place the strings will be over to one side or won't play in tune.The only fix if this happens is to remove the...
Custom guitars
Alone in the Workshop – Part 15 – Spraying the Guitar
...Shinier than a shiny thing in shiny land (on a particularly shiny day) Achieving a mirror like finish is not easy. It takes a lot of patience and practice. All our guitars are finished 'in house' by Billy who has spent years...
Jon Gibbons 12 string Acoustic – Gluing the neck on
...Carol's toothbrush comes in handy sometimes.... Don't worry I always put it back when I've finished with it..... This is a custom job that has been hanging in the back room for a while. The finish is well dry and has been polished...
Custom Jazz Guitar – ‘The Spaceship’
We come in peace.....with jazz... I finally made a start on Steve's custom archtop....This is a long term custom build. Steve sends a small amount each month by direct debit. It's a great way to commision a guitar - in 2 or 3 years he...
The Ricken’cracker’ Part 1
Duncan's Ricken-cracker Duncan brought this guitar to us to be resprayed as the lacquer had started to split. Made by a popular and respected manufacturer, it had been purchased brand new, but started to deteriorate almost immediately...
The Ricken’cracker’ Part 2
No longer a Ricken'cracker' After part 1 the guitar was almost ready for spraying - only a final light sanding was needed. I masked off the binding and fingerboard and the guitar was ready for its first sealer coat. Scuff Sanding in between, it...
Alone in the Workshop – Part 13 – Fretting and Going Dotty
or 'Putting in the dots and the frets.......' Putting the dots in is easy just drill a hole the same diameter as the dot (size for size) and glue them in. I Used 3mm Mother of pearl for the front dots - I think they look really...
Alone in the Workshop – Part 14 – My name in lights
How to inlay a mother of pearl shape I get the logo's made by Mike Reid at Small Wonder. Sometimes I make them myself but it does gets a bit boring after you have done a few and sometimes I need them in a hurry. He is the UK inlay...
Alone in the Workshop – Part 11 – more neck stuff
Not long to go now! I decided to carry the binding through to the headstock becuase it just looks great! And I love doing the fiddly bits. It is easier to do this before the fretboard is glued on so that was the plan. The headstock...
Alone in the Workshop – Part 12 – Pink gripper mat invades bench
Doesn't it look lovely? And the guitar too.... I got a bit carried away today and forgot to take any pics while I was carving the neck - not to worry I'll do a post on neck carving one day......something for Kenny to look forward to...