New Curbow Completion Project

I have a client I did a previous Curbow completion project for that has asked me to complete yet another body for him.
This time, it’s a purple-heart body. Same shape and same contour / thickness as the last project.

This time, he has given only minor specifics as to the use and playability of this instrument and has given me full control of the design and performance aspects of this build.

He has asked me to select and design an inlay pattern for it as well as select the pickup / electronics. I will be using a vine / tree of life inlay pattern using a variety of pearl. Abalone and MOP will be the most likely material.

I have also selected a beautiful piece of Birdseye Maple for the neck. This with a dark Ebony fingerboard with some subtle inlay work will cap off this new custom Curbow Completion creation.

• 25-1/2″ Scale
• Purple-heart Custom Curbow Body
• Birdseye Maple neck-wood
• Ebony Fingerboard with custom vine/tree of life hand inlay work
• Gold Gotoh 510 Tuners
• Gold Gotoh Wrap Bridge
• Pickups and electronics to be determined

As this project evolves, I’ll make post here. I hope to have this project completed by Thanksgiving.

New Custom JEM Tribute Project Progress

In the operation of my shop, I sometimes use some unusual and special craftsmen to help me complete special projects. This week was no different. I had a need for some special paint color matching and effect work to be done on a JEM tribute project I’m working on. (there have been other posts referencing the same project)

What I’ve done is combine new age guitar design with vintage materials and a custom show car company for paint, engraving and chrome. My friends at RIPCC in Miami have been a fantastic resource for color and finish options on my custom projects. RIPCC have been featured in several Low-Rider magazines as well as won many shows and competitions around the US.

This project is really progressing well. One of the first of this style guitar I’ve done. I love this style. I building one of my own for my Private Stock Collection. Want to learn more? Click Here-

The other day, I received the body back from the painter. Here is a quick shot with some of the parts placed into respective orientation for concept purpose.

As I progress with this project, I’ll post additional information and photos.

Here are some shots of the Sublime Pickups the client had custom wound for this project.

Sublime Pickups come from Hungary. This project truly has become an International Project.

Sometimes, Ya Just Gota’ Improvise!

So, I’m working with a client that has me commissioning a JEM style guitar for him. He has a thread on a lot of the guitar online forum’s so he likes to post updates to his build every once in a while.

So the latest item I did was produce a truss rod cover to be engraved and chrome plated to match the other hardware on the project.

I was not able to locate a blank metal plate matching my specs so the next thing to do is fabricate one. I purchased a piece of 16 gauge steel at my local hardware store and marked out the exact style cover I wanted for this project. Since my peg head slopes differently than the standard JEM, I opted for an alternative style cover.

After the rough cut on the band saw, the edges need to be squared up and rounded / polished to some degree. This is done by hand as is most detail operations in my shop.

Once squared up, I’ll polish the plate so my engraver can do his work. The next step will be off to Vegas for the expert chrome application and polish. This plate is one of 2 plates I’m making for two separate guitars in progress right now. Looking for a custom or hard to find part? Look no more, I’ll make it. Drop me a line-

The CGT Modified Jazzmaster Bridge

The other day I was working on my Private Stock Jazz-Master and decided to show one or two of the mods / upgrades I perform to enhance the playability of the traditional offset.

The first thing I do is never use a stock Jazz Bridge. I get a Mastery Bridge and use them as well as their thimbles. Best in the world in my opinion. As I build this project out, I’ll take some shots of the bridge but for now, just a shot of it on the bench-

 

The next thing is to acquire a tremolo assembly for the project. I selected a standard Jazz-master trem from one of my regional suppliers. I then disassemble the entire assembly.

 

I replace the support block or bottom mass plate, with a thicker and a bit more rounded edge plate made of brass. This really enhances the overall tone and clarity of the guitar. This functions pretty much the same as replacing the tremolo block on a Floyd Rose or similar locking system.

 

Another adjustment / mod I perform is to round off the edge of the string plate alignment support. This allows there to be more of a fulcrum at that point to allow smoother tremolo action. This also improves tuning stability as it reduces the amount of squared edge to stop the return of the string plate to it’s intonated position.

Those are just a few of the mods I perform on most private stock instruments as well as some of the custom guitars I build.

Another Day of Juggling Projects – Ahh.. Life In a Small Business

Hi There – Another crazy day here in the shop. Trying to plan out how I’m going to work out a meeting schedule for today so I figured this was a good thing to write about in the shop blog.

The first item up is to plan out a meeting with a repeat client. He has a few partial guitars he wants to complete and try to sell in his shop. They are old Jackson DINKY’s that he would like to transform into a couple of old relic road dogs. But, he doesn’t want to put much into them. Just so happens, I have a very good supply of old parts lying around so I should be able to get him something going pretty easily and cost effective. Nicely worn Tremolo, some old effective tuners and some fresh pups. He is a great client and has been a good customer of mine for a few years now. I’ll do my best as usual to give him a great price

Next up is a meeting with my long time client / repeat customer I’ll refer to as JT- I have his Curbow Completion project he will get to play for the first time today. This meeting is at his studio fairly close to my shop so this should not be too much of a problem getting to. JT and I will also be developing the next project to be started, the Purpleheart Curbow Project. We will be reviewing JT’s vision then plan the project. These projects usually require a bit of engineering so the cost tends to fluctuate a bit. Having a client that trusts you makes these projects go so much better. These projects aren’t the recommended type for new customers unless you are extremely established in your area. That trust is something that has to be earned

Next is a new client that was referred to me by another shop I do work / custom mod’s with here in Miami. He has several parts he purchased from around the world that are suppose to be a tribute version of a early model JEM. Problem is the neck pocket is not correct for the AAJN neck (body was made in Brazil). Thus requiring a new neck joint route or an adjustment to the existing pocket. A review of the project scope as well as a quote for the project will be required.

The last two on this list are easily completed together. I’ll contact my clients and have them meet me at the studio. The 2 builds are from a shop not very close to me. So what I think I’ll do is go see my engraver to drop off a future project, stop by another supply house here then meet with my new client.

This is a typical day here at CGT along with the other normal day to day activities. There will always be a need to manage your time. The better you get at that, the better your chances for success in the long run-

September 11 Remembered-

On this day of remembrance, I got this e-mail from a company I do business with. I just wanted to share it. Thank a Soldier, Policeman or Fireman today please-

September 11, 2012

Today marks the 11th Anniversary of a day that our Nation will never forget. It was the first time in history that our soil was attacked during peacetime. This was not just an attack on our nation, but rather an attack on what this great nation stands for above everything else, FREEDOM. On September 11, 2001 many public servants and civilians lost their lives while trying to help a friend or maybe even a stranger. And still today, thousands of men and woman of the armed forces place their lives on the line to protect this precious gift. We must never take Freedom for granted.

So today I would like to offer a prayer in memory of those who lost their lives protecting our FREEDOM, for the families of those who perished on September 11, 2011, and for the souls of those innocent people who died that day.

May we always be grateful for the gift of Freedom, and may God continue to bless America.

Inlay Completed – Almost

Hey, Welcome back. The other day I was working on some inlay for a clients guitar project. After lots of detailed routing, cutting, gluing and sanding, the inlay portion of the project is for the most part complete. There are a few spots that will require filling and some touch-up but that is the norm with any project I get into like this. This entire portion of the project took me the better part of 3 days to complete. This along with other small jobs and some repairs on the side-

Completed Inlay

There was only one small issue with the inlay set my client selected to be used. It was a bit short for this fingerboard, so I had to stretch the pattern a bit so the it’s coverage of the finger-board appeared balanced-

The next step will be to install this finger-board onto the neck-blank I made several days ago. I’m having to wait a day or so for the truss rod I’ve ordered for this project.

The T-Series project is still in the works. I’ve been adding a few seal coats while taking breaks from the inlay work. I still have a few coats to go.

When finishing a wood body, you need to seal the grain of the wood prior to applying your overcoats so the grain will not show in the finish. With this guitar, my client is requesting a translucent finish. So I need to use a clear sealer. What I’ve found works best for this application, (so far) is shellac.

Surface preparation is the key to any finish. Be sure to sand the surface perfectly smooth and flat prior to applying any finish or you will have to apply 50 coats. One of my building tricks is to apply thin nitro finishes. This allows the body to sing better as well as providing a perfect coat of lacquer to age gracefully-