Wednesday 6th August ’08

We begin with Fred’s soon-to-be very cool Robert Fripp Slimline/hollow model..

the front is carved down to the level of the multi-ply binding and finesed using small thumb-planes

the neck and ‘all-access’ joint is carved

and then it is on to some routing.. because we want to have an onboard piezo system and this is not (currently) available on the Kahler trems we are going to use a Wilkinson tremolo on this beauty..

but obviously it needs a few more cavities than I’m used to..

after rough-sanding she is damped down a bit to give an idea of what she’ll end up looking like (remember, this top was recycled from an old coffee table I bought at a local boot-sale!!)

on to Daves custom guitar..

we go through the same process on the front, carving followed by some detail work

and then sanding.. such a pretty piece of timber!!

next up (and prior to routing any more cavities) the control layout is mocked up.. standard volume, tone, three way toggle with the sustainer controls.. intensity, boost, on/off and harmonic/mix/note … oh, and I’ve marked out where the trem arm will set when she’s at rest!!

on to Fabio’s seven string bespoke guitar..

the drop-top feature is carved and planed in..

..and we have a visit from the local free-rangers (could be a hells angels club??!?)

this piece of spruce was bookmatched in ’92.. and will end up on Fabio’s guitar..??  it is jointed and glued..

this lovely chunk of local sycamour is destined to be three bookmatched guitar tops

..and here is the first after being split.. I love my bandsaw!!

it is planed

and glued..

and here is one I prepared earlier… after planing it perfectly flat she is roughed out

and carefully fitted to Mark B’s body..

and we end the day with another almost-guitar!

till Friday.. Ben.

Crimson Bespoke Guitars UK