Home of Tone Blog
Customer notice - July opening dates/hours
I'm going to be taking a short break, spend some quality time with my kids seeing as they're now 'schools out' for the summer! As such, I won't be processing dispatching orders for a short period of time this month (July 2026). So here are my working dates, to help you with any order planning during this period.
Customer notice - Update for harness orders in July 2026
I'll be taking a short break from the soldering iron for some of July. It has been a very busy, and humbling year for Signature Series pre-wired harness kit orders, as such I have been pretty flat out soldering for the year so far. A little break is much needed, to reset and regroup. So here is an update for my customers to help with any order plans this month, or to prepare you for the short delay in harness production this month. So! Let's dive into the dates -
Harness order cut off date - Monday 13th July 2026...
Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Philip Sayce 'Big Daddy' pickup set
UPDATE 22/06:
I am pleased to say that following the amazing support for these pickups via my humble shop, I have been able to secure some more stock of these awesome pickups, however they are coming from the USA so it'll be 3/4 weeks from this point before they arrive with me.
So a quick thank you to Seymour Duncan to allowing me to obtain more stock, my first 5 sets were snapped up immedietely, so it's a relief to be able to get some more, and help out those who missed out upon their initial release.
Please check out the pre-order listing HERE to place a pre-order, and secure a set to your name. This last batch will definitely be the last I'm going to be able to obtain.
David & the Devil ceramic slides!
Last week I became a very proud new owner of a set of beautiful ceramic slides handmade by my pal David Hicks (David & The Devil). I'm loving the personality these posses, super cool details throughout, right down to the croc pattern.
July 1st 2026 EU duty charge changes; what they mean and how it'll affect EU orders
Well, it's another EU change update I'm afraid. This only affects orders being shipped from me, to a customer based in the EU.
This change specifically relates to how they are going to be charging DUTY on goods, so not taxes, but duty specifically.
Unfortunately there is no way to avoid this, as the checks as with all EU imports, are very thorough with strict guidelines and checks.
As the Home of Tone LTD is not a financial advisor in any form, I cannot and are not obligated to provide you with an estimate on these tax and duty charges. However of course feel obliged to share the news of the EU's change, to help you prepare and plan as to whether you wish to place and order and expect these costs upon importation.
I highly recommend researching this with the EU's official information, but do hope this helps in some way.
James
The 10 year anniversary build project - Part One
2015 sees the Home of Tone turn 10 years old, so I decided to mark the ocassion by putting together a fancy spec Telecaster build, mostly done in house but also using and supporting some of my favourite other skilled people within our little music world too.
You may recall the incredibly SparkleMaster build I put together for a customer a while back that made use of the incredible services of RF Custom so I couldn't resist including Rob in this project too. I know Rob makes and supplies bodies and necks to some superb brands, and have seem some of the beautiful materials he has used to make those bodies and necks too. So I reached out to Rob to ask if he would be able to help me source a really nice grade of flamed maple and hondoras Mahogany too. He graciously helped do so, and sent those my way ready to shape them into a Telecaster.
Seymour Duncan Custom Shop 'Bolin Burst' pickups announced
Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, and Mr vintage guitar himself, Joe Bonamassa have teamed up to recreate a pickup set from one of the most well known 'bursts', the Bolin Burst! A guitar with a great history, heard across countless records in the hands of Tommy Bolin, and now, Joe too.
In stock at James' Home of Tone!
The 'Trump Tariffs' change and how that affects orders from me, to the USA
This article details how I need to manually process orders for customers in the USA in light of the tariffs.
Seymour Duncan Shop Floor Custom stock!
Seymour Duncan have long cemented themselves as the leading aftermarket pickup brand in the world, offering a staggering selection of models. Throughout their range they have created iconic models that stand the test of time, popular for a variety of guitars and music styles.
Their Custom Shop and Shop Floor Custom offer customers the chance to create their own pickup design or aesthetic that isn't otherwise available in the standard production range. As a UK main dealer, I can assist customers in ordering their own Custom Shop and Shop Floor Custom SD pickups, and sometimes I will spec out my own custom stock too, like this batch of Invaders!
Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Limited Edition Philip Sayce 'Mother' Strat Pickups!
I’m pleased to share that I’ve been able to secure a second, small batch of the limited edition Seymour Duncan Custom Shop, Philip Sayce ‘Mother’ Strat pickups.
The moment I saw these announced I knew I had to snap up some sets, and happened to be the first UK dealer to do so! As such, my first secured sets were reserved almost immediately. I put in a request for some more, and thankfully have had confirmation that my second (and last) batch are due to arrive with me Monday 2nd May.
Build Your Own Effects Pedal - PedalPatch/NRG Effects Workshop
I'm a big fan of the work that Neil of NRG Effects does. If you have ever attended a guitar show where Neil has exhibited, I'm sure you'll know that his enthusiasm for the circuits he creates is infectious, which reflects in his work too!
Alongside PedalPatch, Neil is hosting a 'Build YOur Own Effects Pedal' experience! Which when I heard about it, I felt it was well worth sharing on my blog/site in case any readers fancied signing up. Neil has specifically designed a pedal circuit for the class, and you'll be building alongside his guidance in person, with the first event being held on SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2025 in Newhaven, East Sussex.
Knowing Neil, you won't just be making a pedal, you'll be learning vital information about how and why the components were selected and the overall process too. Much better than just buying a kit I'm sure of it. If it sounds of interest, be sure to click HERE to learn more about the workshop, and any upcoming workshops too!
Welcoming Lovalet Guitars to the UK, and to the Home of Tone!
With the dust settling after an incredibly busy Guitar Show 2025, I've finally had a moment to sit down and write up a little blog post welcoming the latest brand to join the Home of Tone which was also announced at my stand this year, Lovalet Guitars!
I am now helping stock the unique, retro-inspired Lovalet Guitars here in the UK. The work of Lukas Valter, a luthier based in beautiful Bratislava, Slovakia who has been kind enough to allow me to help represent his work over here. I couldn't help but reach out to Lukas, as I was really taken by his designs after following on social media and also seeing a Nomad Jr in action on YouTube too.
