Category Archives: Musical Instruments and Sound

Making Crappy Stuff Better #1:

As a forward, I say “cheap guitars” and “crappy stuff” knowing that they are neither synonymous nor mutually exclusive. Most guitars with higher price tags that I play these days suffer from the same issues as affordable ones. Having been alive to witness the onset of the existing market of new, ‘vintage’, and custom instruments, I can say that new big name instruments are prey to mass production pitfalls, and changes certainly went into vintage guitars that don’t show in the pedigree. Finally, there are so many custom guitar shops now that I couldn’t begin to guess the pro’s or con’s of each beyond my own chosen methods of construction and material/hardware selection.

Custom Job Earth 2 CJE2SP240225 Born today….

A bit long in production on this one. Got quite sidetracked by the fretboard layout with the addition of wrap around ‘sun’ side dots, a larger diameter ‘moon’, a Fender style nut slot and a few other keeper details. Went with a satin poly finish on the back of the neck… super silky! Added aContinueContinue reading “Custom Job Earth 2 CJE2SP240225 Born today….”

Earth II-A by Custom Job on the Way!

With a couple of tweaks to the Earth II design: 25” scale rather than 25.5”, relocation of the tuning machines, a drastic calming down of the electronics (2 humbuckers, master volume, two tone, one 3 way switch), stoptail bridge, walnut with maple veneers, nickel plated rather than gold and brass, Madagascar Rosewood fretboard, and aContinueContinue reading “Earth II-A by Custom Job on the Way!”

Earth II. Born today.

Sometimes my favorite part of a guitar. This one nods at Rickenbacker but I just call it “Gumby head”. The dust has settled, the solvent evaporated, the contacts are solid and clean. Got down to the final set up on Earth II today. Clearly a tip o the hat to some rad instruments. The BCContinueContinue reading “Earth II. Born today.”

Earth II in the final stages

Ready for polish, assembly and set up. I generally like to post complete projects but, I’m keeping my hands off this one for a few days till it’s totally sold to block, polish and assemble. Looks a bit more yellow in the tube lights than in natural light but I rather like it. Should lookContinueContinue reading “Earth II in the final stages”