Monday 22nd June ’09

more coats of oil are applied to Jason’s custom 45rpm model..

over the next few weeks the oil will build up into a heat and water resistant finish..

that will also look pretty damn stunning..

now, on to Mike’s custom guitar.. I’ve let myself get a little too close to the dealine on this build so concentrate on her for a few days… the excess mahogany from the neck is bandsawed away

and the edges are planed flat and at a perfect right angle to the top of the neck..

and then the frets are all installed.. stainless steel is just a bit harder than the standard fare.. but they give much much better longevity..

the fret ends are sheared off and profiled to a comfortable angle..

the side dots are installed

while everyone else enjoys the sunshine!!

the body is marked out on a solid piece of mahogany..

and a lovely chunk of flame maple is also brought out..

and bookmatched..

one of many coats of lemon oil is applied to the fretboard

and left to dry while the final body shape is routed out using the big router and a bearing cutter..

and we’re left with an almost guitar..

the top is planed by hand

and bookmatched

the body is then prepped for the top.. needless to say it has to be perfectly flat!

the control cavities are marked out

and predrilled on the pillar drill (which has a new home in this corner..)

the cavities are routed out

including the recessed back plates..

next up the break angle is marked out onto the neck..

meet Kim, he is already a gifted engineer, and he is joining us to build all the custom hardware I can dream of, from ball bearing trems to single string and headless bridges.. this is going to be a truly amazing year!!

anyway, seeing as there are now people to take photo’s now expect more of my ugly mug!  Much dust is created as the tenon joint is routed..

in truth it doesn’t really need glue,

but we stick with convention and use some anyway..

and here we are once everything has cured.. the perfect joint!!

while that glue was drying the top was planed flat

and marked out prior to roughing out on the bandsaw..

the neck pocket is very carefully measured and marked out

and the bandsaw comes out again..

the wiring cavity is routed out

and shielded (after this pic the cavity was covered with more shielding.. it should be great!!

eventually the top is glued in place..

I split the excess wood from the neck and plane it flat

and with the addition of some more veneer the headstock extentions are glued in place..

lots and lots of clamps.. but she’s coming together now!

All my best to you and yours!!

Ben