I'm Feeling Comfortably Numb (it's an age thing)

Converting from a Nashville TOM Bridge to an ABR1

2012-01-16T16:47:00.005Z

I have reproduced this conversion by kind permission of Danelectro who posted this thread on The Les Paul Forum. This is a fantastic job and very clearly explains how to install an ABR1 Bridge to a guitar that currently has a Nashville or Epi style bridge.

Before

After

SEE THE COMPLETE STEP BY STEP OPERATION HERE

Guitar Kits

2011-11-18T14:35:00.004Z

They're finally here, The highest quality set neck guitar kits available for the price anywhere.

We Now Have Guitar Bodies complete with set necks already fitted completed with Nib Bound Frets. These are the best replica kits available for the price on the market!
59' & 58' LP's. '61 SG,
Single Cut Junior 1 and 2 Pickup versions
Double Cut Junior 2 Pickup
ES335 hollow body style

1-pc. solid mahogany back
2-pc. solid flamed maple top
1-pc Mahogany neck
Rosewood Fingerboard with Crown Inlays
Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
Scale: 24,75"/628 mm
Creme Bindings
Preshape Nut
Fret edge binding (Nibs)
Long Neck tenon construction unfinished
Backplates Included
Headstock can shape to org. Historic Collection size
The kit comes with neck glued in at correct angle

SEE FULL DETAILS HERE

First Pics Nitro Butterscotch finish

2011-10-31T12:45:00.007Z

Ash Strat Body sprayed with Rothko & Frost Butterscotch. Pre final flatten & polish - nice colour, really pleased with the coverage of this paint.

Still a little work to do but hopefully she'll be up and running this time next week

Don't forget you can buy Rothko and Frost Nitro Celullose at www.croxguitars.com

2011-10-21T14:50:00.006+01:00

Coming soon, an LP kit. I've still got to iron out a few details with the manufacturer but will basically look like this prototype:

Maple Top with Flame Maple Veneer
3 Piece Mahogany Back
Cream Binding on Body
One Piece Mahogany set in neck
22 Fret Rosewood Fingerboard with Cream Neck Binding
Mother of Pearl Crown Inlays
24-3/4 Scale Length
2 Way Truss Rod
1.5" Offset Long Tenon

Routed for 2 Humbucker Pickups
Nut Size: 1-11/16
Neck: C Shape
Weight: Roughly 6.5 lbs

It'll be available early next year and be very competeively priced.

Email me for further details

Vintage Pedal Works

2011-09-06T12:01:00.002+01:00

Croxguitars are proud to offer you a range of hand-built fuzz pedals, pre-amp pedals and valve guitar amplifiers. VPW have been working very hard to ensure that every product offered is of the very best quality available.

VPW's Managing Director, Steve Giles, was responsible for the design and production of the extremely popular JMI Vox AC30 type amplifiers in recent years.

Steve set up Vintage Pedal Workshop in 2010 to build the same type of amplifier, but with the highest quality components available and a much improved transformer set of his own design ( Mains, Choke and Output).

The sound of these amplifiers have not changed in any way but the reliability is second to none, the transformer design allows the VPW 30-6 and 30-2 amplifiers to run much cooler than the 1960's originals. All amplifiers and pedals are made to order and hand wired by Steve Giles. Our pedals are faithful reproductions of the classics.

Over the coming months I intend to broaden the scope of the website to include interesting information about the construction, restoration and design of various pieces of musical equipment, but possibly concentrating on the AC30 amplifier.

The VPW 30-6 and 30-2 amplifiers are currently available in chassis form for fitting into your own cabinet. We will be making combos with UK made Alnico speakers and head cabinets available very soon!

For full details of the range and to buy online please visit www.croxguitars.com

New NC Suplier

2011-08-29T12:18:00.005+01:00

I have just tried out a new supplier for tinted Nitro Cellulose lacquer. As you know up until now I have always sourced my tints from Manchester GuitarTech (MGT) but I came across this supplier whilst looking for something else and thought I'd give them a try and see how they compare.
So I ordered White Blonde from Rothko & Frost (RAF) as I had an ash body prepared and had previously done one with MGT blonde.
This is my intial findings - both bodies were sprayed laying flat (horizontal), one side at a time.

MGT Blonde - Mostley lacquer and thinners with a very low percentage of white pigment, probably around 10%. Needs a lot of coats to get any colur. Mixtures of lacquer/thinners vary.
Spray pressure seems low and if you spray from too far away (more than 12") it lands very dry.
If tinting a barewood prepared body you will need 2 cans (£15.00 each + shipping)

RAF Blonde - Heavy on thinner so very wet application but a higher percentage pigment, guess arond 15%+. You get colour on the first coat, but you have to be careful not to spray too heavy otherwise you'll get runs on the sides. I wouldn't want to use this spray on a hanging (vertical) body. Once you have the measure of the need for caution this covers beautifully and dries to a nice gloss. I only needed one can to get the equivelent finish to MGT.

Verdict- at £12.00 + shipping the Rothko and Frost product offers much better value, however I have only tested one can and one colour as with MGT I have used most of their tints. I would be interested in seeing how RAF amber tint and medium brown tints compare. I will be trying those when I next need them. I would urge caution when using the RAF products, spray light coats and allow 30 mins between each!

Post script, I dropped the body on the concrete workshop floor and so need to fill some dents and sand back so a respray will be in order. This will give me the opportunity to try the RAF product again.

Contact me for further details.

Note: Thes Nitro cellulose laquers and paint can only be shipped within mainland UK

More soon.

They're Here

2011-08-09T12:39:00.003+01:00

The Gibson Maestro Vibrolas are here, I even got a couple in gold. Get them now as they won't last long

I also got some Gibson ABR1 No wire historic bridges

Gibson Vibrola

2011-07-21T11:12:00.001+01:00

This is hard to find item, org. Gibson Long Version Lyre Vibrola, Nickel plated, complete, trem tip has little scratch! anyone interested let me know.

Updates at Croxguitars

2011-07-06T14:37:00.002+01:00

Lots of new items ande features at CROXGUITARS

CustomWound Pickups now massively reduced, A whole new range of Aged pickguards, and a new range of Gibson OEM hardware and most importantly.... There is now a currency converter on every order page! Hopefully this will be helpful.

Don't forget - if it's not on the site, it doesn't mean we don't have it - just ask

TJC at Croxguitars

2011-07-06T14:32:00.002+01:00

We are pleased to announce that we have agreed with Guitartech Terry Chapman of TJC Guitars that he will carry out all repairs, restoration and refinishing on our behalf from immediate effect.
Terry has a wealth of experience with electric, acoustic and bass guitars and has a well equipped workshop located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK.

If you need any work on your instrument please contact Terry directly at his workshop

Visit TJC Guitars website at
www.tjcguitars.com
and see examples of his work and the services offered.

Ash Cloud

2011-05-25T10:02:00.002+01:00

Hopefully orders will not be delayed by the Icelandic ash cloud especially to the US and Canada, it doesn't look asbad as last time.

I have a bid already on the PA system so if you want to do a swap email me quickly

Sell or swap

2011-05-24T15:13:00.017+01:00

Selling my PA system

YAMAHA EMX2300 stereo 500w 12 channel powered mixer. TOA 400W speakers, full PA system , mics and 17 XLR leads

full details can be found HERE ON EBAY

Would consider a swap for an interesting guitar / project or decent guitar amp

Inlay Replacment

2011-05-02T11:28:00.010+01:00

Finally finished replacing Epi inlays: These are the original plastic stock ones.

Historic Cellulose Nitrate inlays - look much better

Right I'm gonna leave this alone now.

See HERE for the step by step pictures

Brazilian Rosewood Fretboards

2011-03-31T13:23:00.001+01:00

Just In, We have a limited number of aged Brazilian Rosewood Fretboards, with or without original Cellulose Nitrate 50's Trapezoid Inlays, Historic or Vintage.

Available as a raw board, routed for vintage inlays or complete with fitted Cellulose Nitrate inlays - Checkout FRETBOARDS at Croxguitars

Time to upgrade inlays

2011-03-17T11:40:00.006Z

I've been putting this off for while but I have finally decided to change the Trapezoid plastic inlays in my Epi Goldtop for Dave Johnson Real Cellulose Nitrate Inlays as used in Gibson Les Paul 50's moderls and pre 2003 Reissue historics.

They are the real thing and the EPI shape is slightly differemt from the Gibson so some modification will be necessary. I will do a step by step tutorial for this process which I will publish on my site as soon as I finish.

The inlays are available to buy HERE and further information on Celluloid Nitate inlays can be found HERE

Also nowavailable Dave Johnson Les Paul Pickguards:

Need New Amp

2011-03-07T14:38:00.004Z

My current Marshall MG30DFX is playing up so I'm looking to upgrade. Question is do I go for another MGDFX or a Marshall valvestate VSR 100 ( I don't need the built in effects as I have pedals.)

MG100 DFX

VSR100 Valvestate

Anyone any experience of either? Both around the same price on Ebay

Lazy- Moi?

2011-01-17T14:05:00.006Z

Ok so I'm lazy and too tight to buy a string winder but all this string winding lately has made my wrist ache. So I came up with this:

It's a super Glue top with a screw bit glued in the top so that it can be attached to a power driver.
The lid just smply fits over the tuner button and then you slowly wind or unwind the string in seconds.

Took 10 minutes to make and cost nothing!

Wiring upgrade Kits

2011-01-06T13:42:00.004Z

Vintage and modern pre-wired upgrade kits are now available to buy online at CROXGUITARS

Also don't forget to checkout our genuine NOS overlays also now with buy onlie facility. Shipping is one fee for UK/Europe or USA/Canada/Australia

Lucy's Wheelchair appeal

2010-12-21T10:30:00.002Z

I know this is not guitar related but could I ask you to take a little time to look at this site : LUCY'S WHEELCHAIR APPEAL. Lucy is the daughter of a friend of ours and desperately needs help in being able to purchase this power chair. Donations can be made through the site no matter how small and would be greatly appreciated. - Thankyou

Original 50's Cellulose Nitrate Inlays

2010-12-03T10:08:00.005Z

PRICE REDUCED
From the same manufacturer in the 50's Now for the first time in over four decades ! Real Cellulose Nitrate inlays with a pattern that is dead on to the patterns seen in most Les Pauls from the 1950's. This material will have the same distinctive pattern as seen on most Les Paul's from 1957 thru 1960. The thickness is 0.070" with the pattern running through the material to allow for sanding.
Working with the original manufacture that supplied this material back in the 1950's, we were able to confirm the pattern style they used in the 1950's and specify the color and thickness needed. There are 2 different shapes of inlays. One shape for current Historic Les Paul trapezoids and the other a vintage trapezoid shape for older Les Paul's & SG model guitars.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER AND FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Getting there

2010-12-02T16:28:00.002Z

I'm finally happy with the white blond and now ready to clear lacquer, just need the snow to go. Guess it'll be a while before it'll be warm enough to get in the garage

Problems

2010-11-24T14:15:00.003Z

I have had major problems with the blond strat project. Basically trying too hard to get the right finish. The body is a 2 piece highly grained ash strat and I really wanted the grain to show through but maintain a really nice even translucent cream.

One can of nitro didn't cover so I ordered a second can. Before spraying I notice a couple of areas where the grain fill hadn't covered so I had to refill. When I sprayed the 2nd can I got some runs and when I tried to eradicate these I rubbed through back to the wood, so I got cross and resprayed with my own mix (15% white in clear).

It was too white and I got too heavy on the front face contour and again got runs inside and on the ends of the horns, so I sanded that back and resprayed with the third can. I still have a couple of areas on the sides and inside the horns that need covering so I will need a fourth can.

Expensive project! I don't get these problems with the darker colours on dark backgrounds. I had not taken in consderation the problems of spraying very light wood with the white blond. Basically the slightest imperfection really shows through.

MK Strat

2010-10-29T16:00:00.002+01:00

Just pre assembled the Ash Strat before spraying white blonde tomorrow

Away for a While

2010-10-06T12:58:00.003+01:00

Please note that I will be on vacation until 25th October. I will reply to enquiries on my return
Thanks

Got Body

2010-09-04T12:51:00.003+01:00

The new Strat body for below blonde project, arrived this morning, nicely figured swamp ash 2.3 kg but is going to need a ton of grain filler. I HATE GRAIN FILLING!

New Project

2010-08-31T11:08:00.003+01:00

Just picked up a nice maple Fender neck, couldn't resist it, so I'm going to need a Stratocaster body to go with it. I've seen a nicely grained Ash body that I'm going for so I've decided to go for a Mary Kaye finish with nickle hardware instead of gold.

Hopefully in six months time it will look like this :)

Beware

2010-08-30T13:28:00.002+01:00

It has come to my attention that there is someone on Ebay selling similar overlay to the ones I supply, The same description is used almost word for word.

These are not genuine overlays, they are poor copies. The dimmensions are wrong and the logos are incorrect and not MOP but plastic.

I have no connection with this supplier based in Germany and so please do not confuse them. I only sell through my website.

Back

2010-08-19T13:04:00.001+01:00

All back to normal now, home from Hospital so shop is open please contact me for latest prices and stock through the main website.

Update

2010-07-31T17:56:00.002+01:00

I'm going back in to hospital until August 20th, please continue to email me for price and delivery for headstock overlays through the main website. I will answer as soon as I can, hopefuly daily but will depend on wireless signal strenght.

Epi conversion finiished

2010-07-13T14:50:00.008+01:00

Epi Gold top upgraded to '59 spec including headstock conversion.
Full pics and details of headstock conversion now added to the menu on the right

Chantel McGegor

2010-05-19T13:52:00.006+01:00

I heard this artist for the first time in session on the Paul Jones rythm & blues show BBC R2 on Monday.

Aboslutely outstanding. It's not often that I hear a new artist who blows me away first time. I didn't realise when I heard the first song that she was playing guitar but that was made clear by the next piece in which she interacted with her bass player reminescent of the Clapton/Bruce style of Cream finally ending the set with her own composition to which she played very well in Hendrix style. She even recently jammed with Joe Bonamassa.

Check out her web site http://www.chantelmcgregor.com/ and in particular the most recent videos I'm no good for you and Freefalling.

I predict big things for this girl

I'm Back

2010-05-19T13:50:00.001+01:00

Home from hospital, shop now open.

Away for a While

2010-04-26T14:00:00.002+01:00

I'm going back in to hospital again so will be out of the loop for a few days. but continue to email for info as I will get round to answering you shortley.

In the meantime you can see the progress on the Epi headstock here. Obviously not finished yet, but I'll update as soon as I can get back to it.

Another new one

2010-03-24T15:55:00.005Z

This is actually what I was after last week before I bought the Gould.

It's a 2005 Epi Gold Top limited edition which I'm going to do some work on which I will photograph and post later as a 'how to do ' session

I have already stripped the hardware out. The pickups will be replaced with Gibson Classic '57s which I've had for years and been waiting for a suitable body to use on.

The electrics will be upgraded with a pre wired vintage available on my website. The tuners are already good quality Grovers so not sure if I'll change them though I do have a set of aged green tulip Grovers.

The biggest change will be the headstock. You see I don't like the epi shape so I will remodel it and use an overlay. This will give me an opportunity to show how it's done.

Headstock Overlays

2010-03-15T16:03:00.002Z

Please note, A number of people are emailing the US and UK waterslide decal suppliers on my website for pricing and info. They can not give you overlay prices, only Croxguitars.com can, they can only supply and price decals.

Also note that I am out of 60/70's large head overlays and the 59 Std. reissues are getting low due to the number of people doing Bulldog kits. They are a perfect match. Once they're gone I will never be able to get these again.

New Aquisition

2010-03-15T15:44:00.007Z

Latest addition to the collection - Gould Black Eagle

Beleive it or not I bought this for the case, the guitar I was going to strip and part out. However whilst it is a cheap far eastern made copy of Gibson's black beauty, it is extremely playable and has a very acceptable tone. You can get a very bluesy sound by selecting the right combinitation of pick ups and tone control balance. The neck is suprisingly good though the tuners are cheap and it's difficult not to notice the obviously plastic block inlays, but it stays in tune!
I'm going to keep it for a while just to mess around on. Not a bad case either.

Right that's it, I'm selling

2010-02-28T14:13:00.009Z

A Rickenbacker Truss rod cover just sold for £176 on Ebay see Here

I have an old (1969) Shaftesbury copy of a Ric 330 12 string which over the years I have upgraded with genuine Ric parts. Unfortunately the body has not stood up to time well even after I did a recent refinish. It's in need of a refret and the fingerboard needs redressing plus some serious crack filling which will mean another refinish.

So in view of the Ebay auction I am going to part out. I would like to sell the parts in one package so before I go to Ebay I will offer them here.

If I get a good enough offer I will throw in the body. (just to give you a clue the last 12 string R tailpieece to sell on ebay fetched £150 so combine that with the TRC plus all the other bits might give you a clue of what I may get if sold seperately)

Anyone want to make me an offer or want more details email me at crox@croxguitars.com

Joe Bonamassa collection

2010-02-22T16:19:00.002Z

Shit! I've got a long way to go, this is serious GAS

New Web Site

2010-01-20T14:28:00.002Z

Just launched my new web site offering hard to find Gibson and Fender vintage parts, wiring upgrades and harnesses and much more.

Check out CROX GUITARS now.

Stocks Getting Low

2009-11-20T12:24:00.006Z

These are the last of the overlays. There is only one large SG with 60's logo and crown left. As you can see there are still plenty of Standards avaiable. Remeber these are original NOS fibre overlays and once they're gone - that's it.

The Following are still available:

60-70's large head LP Std.

60-70's large head with Crown Inlay

LP Custom

LP Std. current size

LP 59 Re. small head

LP with Crown small head

GO HERE FOR FULL DETAILS

Headstock veneers and Decals now availble

2009-06-18T11:31:00.031+01:00

PLEASE NOTE I WILL BE UNABLE TO RESPOND TO EMAILS UNTIL 28th SEPTEMBER

I am now able to offer certain Headstock overlays and very high quality waterslide decals from my friend Glen. These are the only ones I use and as anyone who has seen my results will agree that they are the best available.

Click on the image to see a list of decals avaible then email me here for further details
Apologies for the photo quality of the decals, we hope to improve these.

I can also offer a very rare superb range of headstock overalys, Standard, Historic and custom and also 50's and 60's style logo inlays and crown. email me Here for price and availabilty.

Click on image below for further details

For examples where I have used these various types see Headstock Logos and Decals

J Bass Update

2009-03-16T16:47:00.003Z

The last two weekends good weather has enabled me to get the colour coats on the body, by next weekend I shall be ready to apply cellulose tints and then clear.
This is the point that one could do a Candy Apple Red finish which is a red dye translucent celllulose over a gold or silver metallic solid. However I have enough red finishes so I'm saying with the gold.. come to think of it I also have a couple of goldtops as well.

Click here for the update.

Unreleased Jimmy Page Guitar Riff To Be Retrieved From Secret Vault To Save Rock And Roll

2009-01-31T11:15:00.006Z

GWYNEDD, WALES—Calling it the planet's last, best hope for saving rock music, the Guardians of the Protectorate of Rock announced Monday that they would take the extraordinary step of unleashing a never-before-heard Jimmy Page riff, hidden for decades in a mythic, impenetrable vault.
"We who believe in the immortality of rock took a vow 30 years ago that we would never release this incredibly powerful force unless we faced a Day of Reckoning—and that day has come," said Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, one of the chosen few who helped forge the Secret Vault to Save Rock and Roll, at a press conference in the Welsh highlands. "Just look at the pop charts, and you shall know I speak the truth."
"Let's give rock and roll its fucking balls back," he added. The Guardians said recent developments in the music world, such as the unaccountable popularity of the Dixie Chicks and Sufjan Stevens, have created a "perfect storm of lameness" from which rock might never recover. While Iommi refused to say when the vault would be opened, hard rock sources believe it will take place just prior to next month's Fall Out Boy–Honda Civic tour, which many fear will suck the remaining lifeblood from all that still rocks.
"Citizens of Rock, we refuse to stand idly by any longer," ZZ Top founder and Protectorate High Elder Billy Gibbons said. "When a puss like James Blunt is allowed to rule the airwaves, we must respond by exposing this monster riff, and blowing minds into the stratosphere."
The Protectorate, devoted to the preservation of badass jams and blistering guitar solos, was reportedly formed in the 1970s during the rise of adult contemporary music. According to legend, the riff, played only once by Page and recorded on a special cobalt record, contains the raw power, mind-blowing skill, and unbridled passion of all the Guardians combined. Recently translated parchments from the era describe it as a soul-searing power-chord progression faintly resembling a cross between "Smoke On The Water" and "Living Loving Maid," but "basically defying all description."
It is believed that, upon the riff's release, even those who claim that the genre is dead will have no choice but to pump their fists, bang their heads, and bow down to the gods of rock for all eternity.
"May God have mercy on our souls for what we are going to set loose upon the world," proclaimed Queen guitarist Brian May, dressed in druidic robes and bathed in the rising blue smoke of a nearby fog machine. "Will it save rock or destroy mankind? We have no way of knowing—yet we have no other choice."
Members of the Protectorate were each given only partial information about the location of the vault, which they were instructed to open in unison only in the event of a total Rockopalypse. While some believed the vault was buried in Boston, Chicago, Kansas, Europe, or Asia, others claimed it could be found in the Court of the Crimson King.
However, after piecing together clues hidden in Yes album covers and Pink Floyd liner notes, rock historians now believe the riff is locked away deep beneath the Welsh countryside house known as Bron-Yr-Aur, at rock-grid coordinates SH735026. British weather satellites have also photographed an enormous cloud, shaped like a hybrid of an upside-down question mark and cross, forming above these exact coordinates.
The vault's Key, regarded as too staggering a burden for any one man to bear, was divided in two parts, with half entrusted to Eddie Van Halen and half to David Lee Roth, shortly after Roth left the rock supergroup Van Halen. The two men, who have refused to work together for 20 years, recently announced plans for a historic reunion tour.
"Before we shake Heaven and Earth with the vicious power of this riff, we of the High Council of Elders of the Guardians of the Protectorate of Rock ask you: Are you about to rock?" AC/DC guitarist Angus Young said. "If so, we salute you."
When asked to comment on the possible dangers of using the riff, Sir Paul McCartney seemed surprised.
"There's a secret vault to save rock and roll?" McCartney said. "This is the first I've heard of it."

New Amp

2008-12-20T12:45:00.005Z

I have treated myself to a new amp for Christmmas. It's a Marshall MG 30DFX, with built in digital effects Reverb, Delay, Chorus and Flange which means I do not need the pedals. This amp is tremendous in overdrive and is great with the Les Paul giving aa really bluesy sound.

This complements my other amps, my '75 Stingray 120w which has overdive but no reverb so I use a Behringer digital delay effects pedal with this.Great with the Stratocaster and Gibson SG but too powerfull and loud for home use - makes your ears bleed and windows rattle!

This is my Carlsboro GLX 30 twin reverb, not sure of the age but has a proper spring reverb unit in the cab. The twin 10" speakers make this a very loud amp and gives a very mellow sound, great for Jazz blues with the ES335.

Neck arrived OK

2008-10-12T12:49:00.007+01:00

I ordered a Mightymite neck for the J bass from the US, half the price than in the UK but I was worried about it arriving in one piece having hear of others that did not. Needless to say this arrived OK.
I have added a page following the complete this project Building a Jazz Bass. I will update this as I progress.

MightyMite necks are licensed by Fender.

New Project

2008-09-10T16:53:00.002+01:00

I fancy doing Jazz Bass so starting as basic as I can, I have ordered this body. I haven't decided what colour to finish in yet.

ES 335 Finished

2008-08-19T16:31:00.000+01:00

It's taken a year but finally done, full build pictures HERE

Oh F*ck

2008-08-18T16:04:00.000+01:00

At 9:15 on Friday I oppend the window in my study and sat down at the PC, the wind blew, I heard the bedroom door slam then I heard a noise that made my stomach churn and a blood curdling scream emitted my mouth as I realize what had happened. I entered the hallway not daring to look but eventually took in the scenec of carnage.
The bedroom door slamming had caused a large Ebony African tribal mask to fall off the wall hitting and smashing a light switch then landin on the control section of my recently finished SG.
The damage doesn't show up too well in the pics but a knob was smashed, the volume pot shaft is bent and there are three deep gouges in the body.I havent even thought about how to repair, the pot can simply be replaced but the gouges I don't know what to do.I'm still in shock - I need a drink

The offending item (bit of Voodoo going on here I think)

Damage report Scottie!

Strip down, Volume Pot and Knob needs replacing.

Fill gouges with paint and lacquer mix, then polished flat with compound

New Gold reflector knobs and hey presto!

AxeRus

2008-07-01T10:28:00.000+01:00

I would like to publicly thank Jackie at AXERUS Guitar parts for their excellent customer service. I recently bought some parts which included a 3 way toggle switch which turned out to be faulty. I received a replacement within 48hrs without a question.
I have bought a number of parts from this supplier over the years and can't reccommend them enough.

Another tip

2008-06-30T11:21:00.000+01:00

Wiring, soldering and fitting Pots and switches in hollow bodies can be very fiddly to say the least. After struggling with a previous couple of projects I came across this idea in a book.

Take a sheet of paper and tape it over the front of the body control area. Push a pencil through the holes and then transfer the paper to a piece of hardboard and mark the centres. Then drill the correct sized holes for each of the controls and fit them to the board. You will then have an exact layout that corresponds to the guitar.

Once the controls are in place you will find it much easier to solder the wiring.

Detach the compete assembly from the board, tie a lenght of cotton to each pot shaft and jack socket and thread through the relevant hole. Solder the pick up leads to the volume pots. pass the assemply into the F hole cavity and carefully draw each pot through, drop the fixing nuts down the pieces of cotton and fianally fix in place.

Top Tip

2008-06-11T15:18:00.000+01:00

I have often been asked what is the best way to remove bridge and stop bar post inserts, well the safest and simplest way, if the instrument is fairly new and the inserts are not too tight in, then just drop a wooded dowel through the insert screw hole, screw the stop bar post into it and tighten down. This should lift the insert out easily.
However if this does not work straight away then find a tube of rigid plastic or metal that the insert will pass through, then get a bolt which is 10 mm longer and the correct thread for the insert. Cut a hole in a piece of an old mouse mat(the type with ribber backing) to protect the surface of the body, screw down with a socket or spanner and this will lift out the insert.

SG Custom Deluxe Just Finished

2008-06-04T15:25:00.001+01:00

This was an old Westfield SG set neck body which I’ve had kicking around for a while, it had no hardware and was painted black though had been silver at one stage. It stripped easily and revealed a nice mahogany body with a decent grain and so was begging out for a translucent finish

All the hardware I had already some of which I was going to use on the 335, however as I’d already decided to go with Grover tuners and bought the Burstbuster pups I used the bridge and controls.

So all the parts on this SG are Gibson with the exception of one volume pot which is a CTS, the pups are classic ‘57’s, ABR1 tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar, Gibson Deluxe gold tuners with green tulip knobs, Abalone trapezoid inlays, ‘60’s style NOS Gibson headstock veneer.(this was the only part that I bought for this project)

I am very pleased with the outcome , for more pictures clik here or on SG Custom Deluxe on the projects list on the right

Some Progress

2008-05-27T14:51:00.000+01:00

It's taken a few weeks but I've now finally matched the new neck colour of the ES335 Dot neck although this neck is in the style of a 345

And now for the difficult bit, the neck fitting, here is a test for the pocket fit.

Still a long way to go.

Overseas Online parts

2008-02-25T14:13:00.000Z

I have just bought a pair of Gibson Burstbucker Pups for the ES335 which I got through an Ebay shop based in the US.The cost of these Pups were $109 each as opposed to £110 in the UK, so basically half price.
However; Paypal have introduced a new system which the seller has to use to produce an invoice, this means the seller has to declare the true price which gets picked up by the UK customs Nazis and you have to pay the VAT before the post office will deliver them. Interestingly though they didn't do me for import duty but the Post office charged me £8 for the pleasure of the admin. I've always got away with this in the past from the US as the suppliers usually declare the good as less than $30 (the level on which you pay tax) but if you pay by paypal they can no longer do this.

I paid £26 shipping from the US which I didn't think was too bad until I unrapped the rather larger than I expeted box. Don't you think these 6mm thick perspex containers are rather over the top?

Headstcock Decals

2008-01-21T11:23:00.000Z

I seem to get a large amount of views of my posts on decals, largely as a result of searches through Google, so I will now provide a seperate page called HEADSTOCK DECALS and added to the project menu on the right, I will combine all the latest and old posts into one. Give me a day or so to get it right, maenwhile here is the latest one.

Update on the new LP

2008-01-11T11:18:00.000Z

Sorry for the length of this post but I do get to the point at the end.
As some of you know I have MS (past 10 years) and because of the difficulty with co-ordination this causes I found playing very difficult and so lost interest and only picked up my acoustic now and again until eventually stopping altogether about 5 years ago.Then I got into refinishing because I still liked having guitars around me but even with 14 on walls and stands around my house, the desire to pick one up and play had vitually disappeard. In October I went into hospital for a knee operation and came out with an infection that put me back in for a month so when I finally came home I was, and still am confined to my upper floor study, so unfortunately have not had access to my workshop for 3 months! So to cheer myself up I bought a Les Paul Standard for my own 50th birthday present combined with my Christmas present (see below).

The long and short of this story is that this guitar has changed my life :) because of it's beauty and value I felt I could not justify just looking at it. So with nothing better to do I started downloading tabs and midi files and then picked a tune that I was going to learn giving myself 2 weeks to do it. I started with something simple - Smoke on the Water, which I used to be able to play with my eyes shut, but when your right hand will not work in conjunction with your left it's not so easy nor is holding on to a pick.
Because of the set up of the LP, the 60's slim neck and playabilty I found the left hand coming back quite naturally but inspite of 3 hours a day practice, strumming was proving more difficult and I kept dropping the pick. The latter I solved by getting a thumb pick. I also decided to go for tunes that were lead orientated as I could still manage pentatonic scales.I have a Gibson LP classic but with a 59 neck and a '61 reissue SG neither have I bothered to set up properly just being satisfied with having rebuilt and refinished them and so had no deisre to play them as I couldn't get a satisfying sound.
3 weeks later with the LP Standard I can now bang off Gary Moore's The Loner and Santana's Samba Pa Ti, next week it's Floyd's shine on you crazy diamond.Honestly I just can't put this guitar down :lol:everything is starting to come back and thanks to free midi file downloads, playing along with these make such a difference rather than the old days just using tabs.
Thank you Gibson for giving me a new lease of life. And thank you God for the determination, inspiration and motivation (in fact all the 'tions')

I've bought Myself a present

2007-12-15T19:53:00.000Z

Both a Christmas present and my 50th Birthday, which was earlier this year, I've always wanted one in this finish, never thought I'd find one for the right money.

It's a Gibson Les Paul Standard 2004 Model with the 'fast' 60's neck and a beautiful flame top Root Beer finish and looks stunning! The colour really brings out the flame...
It sounds like you would expect - perfect. giving a hard rock sound to a gentel Jazz Sound. The BurstBucker Pro pickups give gorgeous thick hard rock tone and impressive sustain which isw very different from my Classic with the ceramics

It is smooth and easy to playand the Root Beer finish is gorgeous and really brings out the flame! A truely beautiful finish Mahogany Back - A deep red back with beautifull grain pushing through.

Can't make my mind up which is best the sound or looks.

Headstock Decal Update

2007-12-01T15:44:00.000Z

Further to my previous posts on headstck decals I am just trying 2 further Gibson logo alternatives for restoring headstocks. These are much more expensive and use original Gibson NOS (new old stock) supplies. They are rare but can be found on ebay, (email me for details if you can't find them.)

The first I have bought is for my SG which I have decided to redo as I was never happy with the finish. It is a complete solid veneer with real MOP inlays and just glues directly onto the new bare face headstock, cost around £40 and is only availble for the larger format headstocks, ie '60/'70's SG's and EB basses with the '60's style logo.

The other type I have bought (from the same source) are for my ES335 project which has the smaller '59 style headestock and logo as used on '80s onwards and current Les Paul, ES and SG models.

Unfortunatly I have not been able to find a pre-cut veneer for these so I am going to have to make one. It should look like this which is one SG Lou from St. Moritz Guitars (see link on left menu) made. I only hope mine turns out as good asw his. Watch for updates.

This is a Willow veneer, Gibson used Holly but it's not easy to come by in veneer form. The inlays have glued inot route using epoxy glue mixed with ebony powder, these will be masked off before the face is sprayed with gloss black nitro then several layers of clear nitro lacquer.

Secure your Body Properly

2007-10-05T13:59:00.000+01:00

If I awoke any of you early this morning with a string of profanities, I apologise.
As we in the UK are enjoying an unusally warm autumn (fall) with temperatures this week reaching 20C ( 68F) so taking the opportunity to finish that Strat body.
Monday - grain filled and sanded
Tuesday - Sand and sealed
Weds - final sand and primer
Thurs - sand and first color coat
Friday - 10.00am sand and fill where needed, sand again.
Friday - 12.00am Hang body from beam by strap button screw as I've always done, shoot 2nd coat.
Friday 12.10am unhook body to turn 180 degrees to face extract fan, start to shoot front - then - The screw lets go and the body falls to the concrete floor of my workshop, bounces on the bass side horn and settles face down.
Friday 12.10am +30 seconds a wail emits from deep inside me and projects outwards to form a string of every swearword I could sumon up at a level that must have been heard in the US.
Friday 12.35am - slam workshop door close, walk to kitchen and open a bottle of red wine - oh Sod it :twisted:

Something to be getting on with

2007-09-20T12:43:00.000+01:00

I Just aquires this 1983 MIJ '72 reissue Stratocaster which is fairly beaten up and the hardware has rusted.
I will rebuild this to original 72 spec whilst I am waiting for the ES335 neck which will be another couple of weeks.
I recently bought a whole box of Fender bits off Ebay so I have all the hardware, I just need to sort out the body and neck.
You can see the rebuild and further pic by clicling on '72 Strat on the projects list on the right

Semi Finished - Now For Sale

2007-09-04T15:31:00.000+01:00

I received the Bigbsy style trem this morning so this was the final part for this guitar and is now complete. I just need to set it up and change the PU ring mounti9ng screws for gold ones.

I have fitted Di Marzio style pickups and rewired with 500k ohm pots - sounds sweet.

This guitar is totally unmarked and now for sale - Make me an offer by email.

THE GIBSON LES PAUL GUITAR TRADER

2007-08-09T20:42:00.001+01:00

A couple of interesting article on LP'S ' THE FIRST "TRUE" REISSUE? and THE GIBSON LES PAUL SUPREME

Also check out the blog 'Luthier than thou' over on the right links, some very useful instructions on guitar building especially the LP in progress

New Ebay Score

2007-06-29T16:55:00.000+01:00

I just got this hollowbody off Ebay for next to nothing, I think it will make a good jazz style project which I haven't done before, maybe a George Benson signature style. It will give me something to do whilst I save up for the ES335 bits.

New Project

2007-06-13T10:35:00.000+01:00

Ok so here's the latest score, a brand new Epi/Gibson 335 again had a broken neck so I already chosen a new one from the same source as I used the LP Classic.I'm not really sure what to do with it yet, I've always fancied doing a copy of Chris Isaak's one off Gibson 345/335 in white with a Bigsby trem set up, but the finish on this body is so good it seems a shame to change it.but it would mean matching the colour of the neck to the body which I had a lot of problems with the LP.

Gibson have come out with a new model ES336 which is similar with the Bigsby but only gold with this colour would go which wouldmake it quite expensive and I already have a 335 in dark red and gold. Any way here's the neck

You will be able to follow the build and see more picture by clicking on ES 345/335 on the projects list at the right of this page

Current Collection

2007-06-01T12:00:00.000+01:00

I thought I'd just post a picture of most of the current collection before I start my next project, a copy of Chris Isaac's one off Gibson 345/356

Click on picture to enlarge

LP Junior Finished

2007-03-28T11:11:00.000+01:00

This is the guitar that my son found in France (for full details click LP Junior on projects on right hand side list). It still needs some work as the original pots need replacing, but from something that was going in a skip, its not turned out bad.

Reshaped headstock with waterslide patch decal

Repaired Headstock

2007-03-25T13:40:00.000+01:00

As you can see I have redone to headstock decals.
As I had previously used a patch waterslide and put 3 extremely deep layers of laquer on top, I could not strip it back to the paint and reapply as the lacquer takes up to 8 weeks to cure rock hard and enable sanding down, so the answer was to apply a full face vunyl venner which was successful.
The vinyl full face are much easier to apply than the full face waterslides, but the lettering is very shinny, I've yet to find a way to dull this.

I have now finished the LP Classic and the full rebuild can be viewed by clicking on the projects list on thje right.

Now on with the LP Junior!

Danger! Don't do this

2007-03-14T13:20:00.000Z

After my post extolling the virtues of patch decals I should have added a warning which I didn't heed myself. DO NOT BE IMPATIENT DURING THIS PROCESS.

When deep fill lacquering allow each coat to dry before adding the next coat and do not put too much lacquer on at a time. 5 thin coats is better than 3 thick coats.

I applied 3 very thick coats 1 hour apart and the result can be seen below. The lacquer has soaked into the decal and distorted it. Also beware of dust!

I pre assembled the body to check the neck alignment, electrics and hardware, all need a little tweeking but she's looking good and nearly finished.

Headless Telecaster

2007-03-05T13:53:00.000Z

A friend of mine asked me to look at a prototype project with a view to setting up the action and an opinion of the concept.
He had described the project on the phone 6-8 weeks ago and I have to say I had trouble imagining the workings of it: however when I saw the beast in the flesh I was more than pleasantly suprised.

The mechanism was very simple and the whole guitar very well balanced and played normally, the only drawback being the adjustment of tunning had to be accessed from the rear of the body. However the player would very soon get used to this, just a case of familiarity with ones guitar.
Firstly one may ask why? The answer being simple - the player giggs in a very small club where space is a premium and at an after gig drink in the local pub the band discussed the possibilities of a headless guitar and through beer hazed waffle the projecft seemed like a good idea at the time and as far as they new there wern't any othermodels commercially available, and so the project was born

Why a Tele? Simple, it was the only spare guitar they had at the time to work on. The same principle could be applied to any solid.
My friend has registered the head (or tail?) design so I haven't shown detail of that or too much detail of the tuner anchoring which I beleive could be improved upon.

Now for the Plug, Phil plays in a local band Called OPEN ROAD, you can click on the name or go to the link on the right for their website for their gig guide and other details.

Headstock Decals

2007-02-27T12:45:00.000Z

A couple of years ago, if you needed a replacement headstock decal, you either bought one from the Original manufacturer or one of the early copy decals available through the internet. These copy decals are obviously cheaper than the originals but came with a few problems. There are now a number of versions available, all of which I’ve tried, so for your benefit I would like to share my experiences with you.

The first decals available were the ‘Patch’ type, where you have the logo only. This came as a clear waterslide transfer with the logo printed by an inkjet printer or a computer cut self adhesive vinyl. Once applied you simply sprayed lacquer over the top and ‘bury’ the logo. The only problem was the early waterslides tended to be quite thick so always showed a protruding edge around the cut out. The vinyl’s were even thicker and tended to melt if you used a cellulose based lacquer, which most restorers/finishers do.

Vinyl Type

The early waterslides were very delicate, and if the ink was not ‘fixed’ could run when the backing paper was soaked off, they also curled up if left in the water too long and shriveled up if one was too impatient with the lacquer. As they were ‘patches’ if you had more than one decal to apply then obviously they came separately and so presented positioning and lining up problems.

The current waterslide patch decals are much better. The transfer is much thinner and pre-coated with a thin layer of nitrocellulose lacquer. This fixes the ink and makes them easier to handle, less likely to curl up in water and being less delicate, are easier to position once on the head stock. I would recommend this form of decal and not the vinyl type for your headstock, but ok on your amp or case, anywhere that you are not going to lacquer, although they do take varnish.

This is my ES335 using patch decals

This is the only type of decal that I now use. These and many other designs can be obtained from GLEN just click on his name to email your requirements

NEW TYPE
The new generation of HS decal is known as ‘the full face’ type. Again these are waterslides and are designed to cover the whole headstock. The black area covers your old logo and brand name. This saves on sanding off the old logo and respraying it also does away with the tell tale edges around the patch decals. The name & logo are printed as one so there are no alignment problems. However some are inkjet printed and some laser printed. Go for the laser.

The adverts for these claim that “this whole headstock approach makes it easy and quick to get professional results.” What they don’t tell you is that they are very difficult to position, you can’t see the headstock underneath the black paper, so it’s hit and miss as to whether the logo will be central and once applied it’s very difficult to slide about without wrinkling, also difficult to get rid of air bubbles although the instructions claim that once dry the bubbles can be got rid by pricking with a pin. However when applying the lacquer it manages to soak into the pin pricks and raises the areas.
They also shrink when lacquering so trimming has to be timed carefully. One I tried recommended leaving the trimming until after the lacquer had dried; the result was the edges curled downwards and adhered to the headstock edges and I had to sand them off and respray the paint adding about 3 weeks to the project.
The other I tried suggested trimming and clearing the tuner holes after the misting layers of lacquer had dried, then flood fill. It shrank leaving and edge around the complete HS.
These full face types also come in two versions, one printed on a clear background and one printed on a white background, these tend to be the inkjet type. Avoid the latter, if you mark it at all the white shows through. They recommend touching up with a black marker, however I used a permanent CD marker and melted through the mist layers of lacquer wherever I touched, I have had to strip this head completely and going back to patch.

There are vinyl veneer versions of these available which are a lot easier to apply and are much more durable but won’t take cellulose lacquer, however they are very glossy so don’t need lacquer but the logos are very metallic. This is the one type of full veneer that came out right first time, however I prefer not to use these on genuine restorations although the reults are very pleasing. I would recommend this type for the inexperienced restorer.

For a good supplier go to HEADSTSOCKDECALS for all types

Full face vinyl veneer

Evidence of Genius in the Court Room

2007-02-08T13:54:00.000Z

These quotes are from a book called Disorder in the American
Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word,
taken down and now published by court reporters.

ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?
WITNESS: July 18th
ATTORNEY: What year?
WITNESS: Every year.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
WITNESS: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget things.
ATTORNEY: You forget things? Can you give us an example of
Some thing you forgot?
___________________________________

ATTORNEY: How old is your son, the one living with you?
WITNESS: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
ATTORNEY: How long has he lived with you?
WITNESS: Forty-five years.
___________________________________

ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
WITNESS: Because my name is Susan
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
WITNESS: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
____________________________________

ATTORNEY: The youngest son, the twenty year old, how old is he?
WITNESS: Uh, he's twenty
________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
WITNESS: Would you repeat the question?
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And what were you doing at that time?
WITNESS: Uh....
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: She had three children, right?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: How many were boys?
WITNESS: None.
ATTORNEY: And how many were girls?
_______________________ _______________

ATTORNEY: How was your first marriage terminated?
WITNESS: By death.
ATTORNEY: And by whose death was it terminated?
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Can you describe the individual?
WITNESS: He was about medium height and had a beard.
ATTORNEY: And was this person a male or a female?
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition notice which I sent to your attorney?
WITNESS: No, this is how I dress when I go to work.
_____________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
WITNESS: Dah, all of them.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK?
WITNESS: OK.
ATTORNEY: What school did you go to?
WITNESS: Oral.
______________________________________

ATTORNEY: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
WITNESS: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
ATTORNEY: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
WITNESS: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him.
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
WTNESS: Huh?
____________________________________________

ATTORNEY: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for blood pressure?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: Did you check for breathing?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
WITNESS: No.
ATTORNEY: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
WITNESS: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
ATTORNEY: But could the patient have still been alive,
nevertheless?
WITNESS: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.

That's Better

2007-02-01T14:36:00.000Z

An exact match using celluose mixed dye

Still not right

2007-01-03T16:50:00.000Z

2nd spray and not even close, I' think I'll try a dye mix

Not quite right

2006-12-04T14:59:00.000Z

A slight cock up on the colour match here. However Steve at Manchester Guitar Tech has generously said he would send me another can, hopefully I can get a deeper blue otherwise I'll have to strip this off and dye it.

Back to the old site

2006-11-28T12:59:00.000Z

Due to popular request I have reverted to the original site. For up to date posts go back to

www.crox.blogspot.com

While we're at it

2006-10-10T11:51:00.000+01:00

Since Jack Straw has managed to offend the Muslims and the veil issue, why not go ahead and offen all faiths equally
This should do it:

The Ten Commandments
God went to the Arabs and said, "I have Commandments for you that will make your lives better.
The Arabs asked, "What are Commandments?" And the Lord said, "They are rules> for living."
"Can you give us an example?"
"Thou shall not kill."
"Not kill? We're not interested."
So He went to the Blacks and said, "I have Commandments."
The Blacks wanted an example, and the Lord said, "Honor thy Father and Mother."
"Father? We don't know who our fathers are. We're not interested."
Then He went to the Mexicans and said, "I have Commandments."
The Mexicans also wanted an example, and the Lord said "Thou shall not steal."
"Not steal? We're not interested."
Then He went to the French and said, "I have Commandments."
The French too wanted an example and the Lord said, "Thou shall not commit adultery."
"Not commit adultery? We're not interested."
Finally, He went to the Jews and said, "I have Commandments." "Commandments?" Moses said, "How much are they?"
"They're free."
"We'll take 10."