From the Home of Tone bench
90's Clapton Strat
This was a workshop job I couldn't resist sharing here on the workshop blog too. A customer booked in their 90s Clapton signature Strat for a few jobs, so I wanted to document the guitar as I'm sure it'll interest others like it did me.
Although my music tastes/guitar tastes have changed a lot over the years, I really have to credit the 80s/90s Clapton music and his guitars as the key ingredient that sparked my love for guitar. In particular, things like his Knebworth '90 performances, or the 24 Nights album/video sporting his pewter grey signature Strat, were personal favourites at the time. So opening the old tweed case and revealing this example instantly hit me in the feels! The right colour, amazing condition, very much looking forward to getting stuck into the job.
A custom left handed Delonge spec Strat project
I was contacted last year, as to whether left handed versions of the Tom Delonge signature Stratocaster were readily available. Which of course the answer, was sadly, no. Fender haven't put out a lefty version of this popular pop punk signature guitar, which is a shame really. Although I'm sure the LH guitar playing community is well used to this exclusion from popular RH production models.
I suggested to the inquiring customer the various ways you could capture the idea, through a mod project, refinishing and customising an existing guitar, via a luthier brand for a custom build or a partscaster too. After a bit of discussion, the customer asked if I could quote on a quality, as close to spec partscaster version and we went ahead with the project. My brief essentially was to capture absolutely as many details from the modern production of the Fender instrument, but of course, left handed.
James B's lovely Thinline Tele project
James B (I'll add the B, so you know I'm not just talking about myself in the third person here!!) kindly approached me about taking on a little mod project he had in mind for his already lovely Fender 'American Original' 60s thinline Telecaster. He had tried a Custom Shop Tele, which had really stuck in his mind tone and feel wise, and wanted to try and capture some of that guitars vibe into his Thinline. So the plan was to carry out some light relic work, replace the pickups with a set closer to the specs of that notable custom shop, replace the wiring to match up, change the pickguard and give some brass bridge saddles a try too. A nice mix of cosmetic and sonic mods I reckon, so was certainly up for being part of that.
Spence's SPARKLEMASTER build project
An offset for the ages - MIJ J Mascis Jazzmaster
An awesome Ferrari Yellow Super Strat for Ryan!
I won't go into lots of detail of each step of the assembly, as I've covered a lot of the same kinds of things a number of times on the blog via other partscaster builds. But I'll share the photos nonetheless.
Very much an EVH inspired build, featuring some wicked parts, some of which I was lucky enough to supply as well as install, such as numerous Gotoh hardware items, the Vega-Trem bridge, Tesi Switch kill switch button and all of the wiring.
Full 'Burst' style re-wire for an incredible 80/81 Tokai LS120
Thurston Moore Jazzmaster in for some TLC
Chris got in touch to inquire about getting this awesome offset looked at as wasn't in the happiest of states. The wiring in particular was problematic, having been replaced prior elsewhere it came back sounding very muddy. After a bit of chat, he opted to send it my way for a closer look and a full setup.
Nick's custom Telecaster Deluxe!
A unique mod to an already versatile PJ bass
1988 Fender Strat Plus for some major TLC
