Tuesday 12th May ’09

a begining is begun, this les paul type require a floyd rose..

which thus requires a new template.. now, for the first time ever I find myself enjoying making templates!  the trick is to force yourself to find pleasure in being anal retentive to a fault!!

surprisingly enough the Japanese saw file, which can be used to cut through a chair leg in half a minute, is also quite good at precision work..

she ends up ready for final carving etc..

another new template for Nick’s custom 4 string bass guitar is brought out..

and the pickup cavities are routed before finalising the control positions..

and on to Steinar’s extended range bass guitar.. 2 volume controls for the stereo humbucker and a stacked vol/tone control for the piezo saddles.. plus a few mini toggles to brighten up the mix..

the carving begins..

and continues.. she starts out weighing about 2.5 kilo’s..

and ends up at around 1.5.. vetry very light!! 

the sides are profiled.. using the Japanese saw file again!

a small, but more importantly.. quiet! job, to break things up for a minute! the fret ends are filed flush with the fretboard

and profiled before more coats of lemon oil are applied..

back to Nick’s bespoke bass guitar, the control cavity is routed

and she is ready for carving.. the problem with les paul basses is always neck drop..

so she ends up with a fat ass to partialy compensate.. we’ll only know for sure right at the end but there are still a few tricks up my sleeve.. the back of the headstock can be hollowed out for one and we are considering pouring molten lead in a few well placed holes in her bum.. still, we shall see..

all in all a good start to the week methinks?

All my best to you and yours!  Ben Crowe

Crimson Bespoke Guitars