Private Stock Project #122 Jazz Master Elite

Several weeks ago, I started on a new bridge for a Jazzmaster style guitar that was posted here on my shop blog. The tremolo was dis-assembled and modified. The top portion has now been shipped off to my custom chrome shop for some special work since this guitar is to be in my Elite / Artist Series. I usually put a bit of extra extravagant work into them such as engraving or exotic woods or inlay work.

Several years ago, I discovered a few tricks that could be used to stabilize the tuning on our beloved Jazzmasters. The use of a Mastery Bridge is the biggest part of that upgrade. I really love the thought that went into these bridges and they solve the issues with string angle and the interference with the intonation adjustments brilliantly. They have really taken the compensated saddle concept to a new level of effectiveness.

The #122 – A Private Stock version of my JM Series.

• 1-piece FSC Certified Alder Body
• Custom Sea Foam Green Nitro Lacquer Finish
• Custom AAA+ Grade Curly Maple Neck with the CGT “V” Contour
• Rosewood Fingerboard with Hand Inlay design to be determined
• The CGT Modified Tremolo with a Mastery Compensated Jazzmaster Bridge
• Porter Pickups Custom hand wound P-90’s to my specs – TBD
• Antique White Pearloid Pickguard with a modified lower bout (control section) containing custom engraving and chrome
• Standard Switching and blending using CTS and Switchcraft components

As this project progresses, I’ll post updates. If you have any questions about this project or any other CGT project, please visit me here-

//

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.

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-

Body Prep and Inlay Layout

Today I spent most of the morning working on the social media side of the business. Blog, Twitter and Facebook page maintenance as well as picking up a few new professional contacts on the music forums.

Then it was on to completing the final shaping and drilling of a custom T-Series I’m building for a local client. Once completed, I applied a bit of sealer and repeated the process until the surface was smooth. I needed to complete this project prior to getting into the inlay project. The inlay will take most of my shop time for the next few days so I need to keep the production flow going.

The first thing to do is layout the pattern. I already have the pieces cutout so that was a big time saver. Now I have to put this puzzle together.

After several hours of fiddling with pieces and trying different angles and rotations on the fingerboard, I finally have it-

All pieces in place, ready for tacking with some glue tomorrow

This is how I’ll end the day. I’ll get some more supplies together and setup the workspace. Now to answer some e-mail, setup an appointment or two and finish off the same way I start, catching up on the social media-