Saturday 25th July '09

a blank canvas.. of sorts, we dig into Stuarts guitar

the trem position is obviously critical and everything is measured from here

a new template has to be made up though..

..

eventually every phase of the build is marked out

and then the cavities are pre-drilled to make it easier on the router

and then the routing begins, as you see this is one of the very few flat back guitars I have on the books..

the binding channel has already been routed out on the body

the headstock is next.. here I use the router in the usual way..

but using it as a mini-table router gives much more control.. this is Gary's custom guitar I'm using for the experiment..

the basic front contours are marked out

and she is shaped, carefully

the neck is, well.. uncomfortable..

though that is easily rectified..

forward and on to the rest of Gary's build.. she is at the same stage..

and carved.. though the quilted maple top is noticably harder than the flame maple on Stuarts guitar..

now here I get to have some fun!!

I really am enjoying using lighter timbers on the body here.. mahogany does get a bit boring after a while, and you get some really interesting tones out of more interesting woods!

guitar the third.. Laurences new, yet to be named, model.  The pickup cavities, tunematic and through-body stringing holes are all marked out

the control cavity is routed into the spalted beech back.. this wood cuts like butter!

pickup cavitys..

and she too is ready for carving..

first off the curve is cut and then the scoops are marked out

the neck is carved then, and the headstock mass is reduced, the whole guitar has to be very light in the end and every gram counts..

I'm very happy with the neck joint, it gives complete access to all the frets but has more bulk where it counts.  This adds a bit to the weight but will help give the warmth and sustain needed for some serious shredding!

finally the binding..

is glued in place..

it takes a bit more time binding clockwise but means I'm not left with the fiddly end piece to fit.. much easier!

and here we end for the weekend, a 45rpm with floyd rose and a paf who will soon have the variax system installed.. and both are ready for final sanding and finishing!

Have a great weekend! Ben.

Crimson Bespoke Guitars UK