Oh yes, it is a genuine 1958 Gibson Les Paul Junior in Cherry! Many guitarists out there love the sound of these but almost all of them detest the tuning issues and intonation instabilities. Modern parts to the rescue, none of which require modifying the guitar in any way of course! A fresh properly sized bone nut, Kluson vintage correct replacement tuning machines, Tone Pros locking studs holding in my favourite modification, the ABR milled bridge! Nickel plated brass, machined for correct intonation and wow what a sound now! click for more photos ;)
This Yamaha APX had tuning machines that were cooked, so a fresh better set was sourced. One problem; they wouldn’t go all the way on! A small recess was cut gently into the side of the head to allow a good fit while retaining the strength of the guitars headstock. Click for an explanation!
People don’t just visit the workshop when something is wrong! Sometimes folks just want to get the most out of their beloved instruments like this Gretsch G5120 Elecromatic that has had almost every upgrade available, A full fresh wiring harness with upgraded components, Tru Arc bridge, Gotoh locking tuning machines, a bone nut and the always incredible TV Jones pickups with the correct mounting hardware as well. This kind of work takes everything you love about your guitar and makes it better ;) I don;t think the owner will be parting with this one any time soon! Click to see some upgrades…
This was one enormous project! An original early 1970 Dan Armstrong Bass that had been consigned to to junk pile previously. It was missing parts and in need of a new neck but them nearly all the parts of the bass would be non original. What would be the point? The decision was made to go completely crazy and salvage the original neck if at all possible and source whatever original parts could be found. I am very satisfied to report that it all worked out very well and is even stronger than before. After getting a vintage correct replacement pickup and the correct wiring arrangement (very important on these)It’s ready for many more years of service to boom. Very cool bass - here’s more pictures…
This Taylor 214-CE wasn’t that old but had unfortunately developed a lump on the treble side of the fretboard and a small kick up where the neck meets the body. A re-Fret was required but solved all the issues beautifully and the owner even considers it better sounding than before! Click for some fret shots…
Super Sparkly Ernie Ball Silhouette Baritone Custom Shop that came by to have it’s action lowered and custom tuning setup!
This Martin OMC Aura didn’t need much other than getting the sky high action down to a playable level and sorting out the non working pickup. I just like these guitars; very cool bridge inlay!
A 1965 Fender Jaguar in Sunburst that is in astoundingly good shape came in for a valuation and to have one of the most excellent Mastery Bridges installed. If you haven’t tried one yet you’re missing out! I’ve lost count as to how many we’ve installed over the years now. Some more pics…
Paul Reed Smith Silver Sky in a beautiful Red!
A lovely high-end Hirade H-8 Classical that had been in storage for some time and just required a bit of work to get back into shape. What a nice sounding piece, click for more photos
Oops! This Martin DCX1KE got squashed after a show and along with some top splits & braces coming away, the entire back had come off! It went back together slowly and piece by piece until is was ready to rock again for tons for shows. click through to see some of the process…
Continuing with the upgrades; this 1973 Gibson EB-0 Bass was extremely hard to play and absolutely refused to stay in tune. After a thorough going over a Hipshot Supertone bridge was selected to improve things as well. Great bridges! check out their Rickenbacker offerings as well! click for photos…
Just another collapsed floating bridge post getting sorted!
This Late 40’s Epiphone Has a DeArmond pickup installed but when the current owner bought it the volume knob went through the pickguard and he kep on knocking into it until the pickguard actually split! We’ve repaired the guard and splice filled the hole for the old potentiometer. Next was a blacked out light weight cross grained piece of spruce hidden underneath for strength and to provide support for the very stealthy new pot tucked out of the way underneath :)
This DeArmond JetStar had the unfortunate time or its neck popping out at the heel, mid play! We got it glued up tight and right so it won’t be migrating again for some time! Click for a few pictures…
This Silverburst Gibson SG Started out life as a Robot guitar and then simply lounged about after the robot part broke. The client wanted to do something interesting with it so We dropped in some Bare Knuckle pickups, Installed a Bigsby B6 with a Bricks Biggs fix, new pickguard, all upgraded internal components and topped it off with some Gotoh 510 tuning machines. What a guitar! Click for more pics…
This funky Shell Pink Fender Mustang was a full custom assembled project! Mastery Bridge, Warmoth body, Fender Neck, Hipshot tuners and Fishman Fluence pickups with a USB charging port in the back. This guiyar had some crazy wiring but we got there and it is a joy to play! Click for more info…