Coming soon at Croxgitars.com

 

Upgrade Epi to Nashville TOM Bridge

Step by step guide to upgrading the standard chrome Epiphone breidge and stop tail to Gibson Nickel Nashville TOM as currently fitted to Gibson LP Standards

Standard set up

Upgrade with Gibson Parts

For full step by step guide see Converting an Epi Bridge to Nashville TOM

LP Kit Build Finished

This was our last Flame top kit (hope to get some more) The Customer from the US wanted to buy a kit and have it  built here in the UK to his own specification to recreate his late father's original '59 which was unfortunately lost.

All the parts were sourced from www.croxguitars.com and the finishing, ageing and assembly done by our guitartech at TJC guitars

Cellulose Nitrate 50's inlays

Mahogany rear aged with buckle rash

Kluson aged single ring tuners

Customers choice of serial number - his fathers birth year.

Aged Nickel Rapp covers over CustomWound PAF classic pickups

Converting from a Nashville TOM Bridge to an ABR1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just pre assembled the Ash Strat before spraying white blonde tomorrow

Away for a While

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

Got Body

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Home from hospital, shop now open.

Away for a While

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

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

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.