Friday 20th March ’09

..I’m still suffering from the dreaded man flu.. though it is much much better now and I’m starting to actually achieve things for a change!!  Though I must apologise to everyone who is still waiting for an email or two.. I will get through the morrass of spam over the next few days!  the workshop has reached critical mass,

and most definitaly requires a good clean..

after the beginings of a good clean this PRS arrives with her owner for a design session… the interesting thing about this guitar is that the cloudy lower half of the bookmatched top started out as a perfect match for the other side and slowly has discoloured.. we think possibly as a result of sweat?  Any PRS owners out there with a similar problem?

anyway.. every good design begins with the neck dimensions..

and we end up with a 45rpm Double Cut model… she’s going to be a beauty!!!

with this headstock and custom clearcast pickups made especially for us by the genius’ behind Wizard pickups!

..the design for Steinar’s extended range bass is almost there.. including a recessed channel along the top of the fretboard to give a larger area on which to rest his thumb..

she will also be incredibly thin to bring down the weight!

four o’clock in the afternoon and I recieve a phone call telling me that my newest machine will be here in about 12 hours… the problem is that I have to build a new bench before it arrives!!!  .. hence the pile of distinctly boring 2×4!

first off the machine room needs a rather serious sort out..

the table saw is hardly ever used and I’m giving her to a violin builder friend of mine.. she is a heavy bitch and takes ages to get apart..

she leaves the way she came… on a wheel barrow!!

a frame for the new bench is built.. unfortunately using coach bolts and brute strength rather than any more interesting and fun joints etc..

and bright and way too early the next morning my new Engineers lathe arrives.. and she weighs more than the table saw.. and is much much more useful.. not to mention a damn sight prettier!

first off, and in lieu of continuing to organise the rest of the workshop, the lathe is run through her paces to test every stage of her operation!!

…then more work..

the clamps needed a new home..

and Steinar’s Extended Range Bass has a bit of a new horn…

..in a bid to look productive I route the truss rod cavity in the neck for Nick’s bass guitar..

which makes me feel slightly better about not having built anything except a bench this week!

..but I then obviously have to do more work on another bench.. of course!!!

..the doors are in and various machines are re-homed.. after much heart searching and second thoughts!!

mail call!!  Christmas has come in the form of both of Wizard Pickups’ most recent inventions!!  The blade pickups are destined for Robert Fripp’s signature guitars and I can’t wait to get the retro looking Novatron’s in the bubinga top PAF hollow!!!

the new bench is now the wiring station..

the milling machine and engineers lathe are in place and in full working order.. I am now well on my way to becoming an engineer as well as a top notch luthier!!

the sun is out and the view is amazing.. I really am rather pleased that spring has arrived!!!

work work work… the left handed plagiarist model is nearly completed.. it just needs some control knobs..

wenge.. bandsawed into a blank..

and my beautiful new toy.. tool.. toy..??.. comes into play.. I’m starting things off with wood but will soon be turning metal into fantastic bespoke hardware!!

and I go a little crazy and make 14 wenge speed knobs..

..a good look?

We’ll be back at bi-weekly diaries next week.. and I am going to get some new guitars finished!!!

Have a great weekend!

Ben

Crimson Guitars HQ