How to make a bridge The bridge blank is cut to size, then the holes are drilled for the bridge pins. I like to drill the holes first in case anything goes wrong. It is suprisingly difficult to drill 12 holes (or even 6) in a...
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 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...
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...
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...