Wednesday 5th November ’08

well, the lack of sleep is a killer but I’m back at work now, Jasmine is coming on very well and I can now start trying to concentrate in my other responsibilities.. don’t be surprised to get an email from me at three in the morning!! ..

just before Jasmine was born a new stock of (hopefully) figured English sycamour came in.. the dogs are interested…

the first job is to figure out where to cut, obviously I want to make good use out of every bit of the wood, with the prettier stuff going to AAA private stock and the dross will inevitably clog up the store room for years..  I sand through the rough finish from the timber yards blades to see where the best figuring is and mark out where the rough bodies will be..

an hour or so is then spent sharpening the big bandsaw blade by hand.. I could buy a new one but that just seems a waste and not quite eco-aware enough.. anyway, it meant getting to sit down for a change..

every piee is cut roughly to size, with some blanks being left longer to make necks etc.. the offcuts will keep the home fire burning for a few days..

the three-phase industrial planer/thicknesser comes to life for the first time in months!! .. she’s sixty years old or more and other than some new switches is all there.. and she is a beaut!!!  Each chunk is planed on three sides and here is where I finally start to see the quality of the wood.. which is stunning for the most part!

I really enjoy using pieces with interesting knots etc..

I unhooked the extractor.. no point in having to empty it three times in one day.. I’ll sweep up tomorrow..

here we probably have two or three years worth of bookmatched guitar tops.. all kiln dried, stored for several years at the yard and ready to go!!

weting the piece down shows what’s under there… here are three options for Andrews custom 8-string guitar..

with some knots for interest..

and just plain gorgeous!! ..

just an update on some of the other work that I will be getting on with..  Fred’s custom slmline is ready for polishing and putting together..

while here we have two more slimline models, a seven string and our newest model the conspiracy..

not to mention the next batch of five or so that began life just prior to Jasmine’s birth!!  .. still, I’m getting there and there will be much progress by the next update on Friday..

All my best,

Ben

Crimson Custom Guitars UK