Friday 5th December ’08

the week begins with Thomas’ slimline guitar, the edges of the top are routed to match the body

and then the cavities are marked out

pre-drilled on the pillar drill,

prior to routing out the pickup cavities the gaps in the knot have to be filled with this epoxy/elm dust mix..

on to the touchguitar, we’ve decided to experiment on various features..

firstly the medium jumbo frets are removed.. with an amazing purpose built tool I found in a junk shop!!!

once the frets are removed the fretboard is slightly cambered (very very slightly!!)

my ‘little imp’ bench vise is modified (don’t you just love making sparks!)

the curve allows me to bend the super-massive-extremely-large-jumbo frets..

which are installed using an almost forgotten method used in the very early Fender years.. they are sharpened on one end and knocked in from the side.. this means that the tangs have not been knocked in from the front and therefore will be more secure than usual.. to be honest I was surprised by how easy and successful it turned out to be!!

..here we go!!

on to Fabio’s bespoke 7-string guitar..

the position of the tunematic and through-body ferrules is marked out..

drilled carefully..

this bit has been filed to cut the hole for the ferrules

and then it’s on to the tedious job of rubbing down the lacquer!

the glue has set on the touchguitar and the fret ends are filed flush with the fretboard..

and profiled for comfort!!

the whole guitar is re-sanded through the grits (raising a slightly toxic cloud of padouk dust!)

and then the new oil and natural wax finish is applied..

Fabio’s 7-string guitar is buffed up to a shine.. a very long and delicate process which I’m only now begining to master!

after one session she’s starting to come together..

after another hour or so we begin with the hardware.. the ferrules are knocked in

and the bridge and ground wire installed..

Giles obviously fell asleep on some sand paper.. hairy dogs are not really ideal in a dusty workshop!

on to the very last stage of Charlie Jones’ next custom perspex bass guitar.. the very simple wiring..

you can not believe the amazing sounds you get with a perspex body.. especially with these custom wound Wizard pickups!!

the fret’s on Fabio’s 7-string are marked and then leveled..

polished and oiled!!

the tuners are installed

and the ebony nut shaped and scalloped..

and here she is ready to go..

fun fun fun!!!

All my best,

Ben

Crimson Bespoke UK Guitars