I first learned about Dave at Frets On The Net a few years ago, while looking for custom pickup rings. At the time, nobody was doing cream 7-string humbucker mounting rings, and i really wanted that look to complete my Dean Evo Special 7.

Dave has been around for years, custom-making replacement parts and customized pieces for primarily the Jackson/Charvel community, but he also makes parts that fit numerous other manufacturers’ guitars.

I sent Dave a set of flimsy plastic rings i had to use as a template, and he sent me back a set of mounting rings, exquisitely machined out of solid Delrin. Stunning, and perfect.

So when it came time to get some control cavity covers done, i knew who to turn to. I sent Dave a drawing with precise measurements, and we emailed back and forth a few times, as Dave asked for clarification on a couple of things and offering very good suggestions along the way.

Just a few weeks later, a beautiful brushed anodized black aluminum plate arrived in the mail. (Dave sends pieces out for anodizing in batches, and i had just missed the cutoff for his last batch, which is why i had to wait a few weeks. But i was not worried in the least… the quality is worth the wait!)

It’s attached with M3 x 6 mm stainless steel flat head cap screws set into threaded inserts in the body. This one is surface-mounted with a slight outer bevel just because of the way i cut the cavity and the output jack… there wasn’t enough material left to recess it. Subsequent covers will be recessed with a slight chamfer on the underside, to allow for any finish pooling in the corners of the recess.

If you want the best custom parts out there, get in touch with Dave. You will not be disappointed!

Since first reading about the Parker Fly in the early 1990s, i was captivated by the idea of having access to both electric and acoustic sounds on one guitar, and being able to flip between them (or blend them) at will. In many ways, this was “the sound” i had been hearing in my head for years, and finally there was a guitar that could do it.

Years later, i finally acquired a stunning Parker Fly Classic, and it did not disappoint. Well, except for the fact i found that i wanted to be able to move between the magnetic and piezo sounds while playing, and with two hands already occupied with picking and fretting, that seemed like an ideal task for one of my feet.

Read on… Read more

One feature that’s popular among some players is a “kill” switch on their guitars. This allows the momentary interruption of the signal by connecting the signal to ground using a pushbutton. Specifically, it’s a Single-Pole Single-Throw (SPST) Normally Open (NO) Momentary (MOM) Switch.

I have an interesting electronics/surplus store nearby, and while rummaging through the bins there, i came across these:

Bolt-on, set-neck or neck-thru? This question has been kicked around and debated for about as long as the electric guitar has existed. Each has benefits and drawbacks. Since i don’t favour one method of assembly over another, i will likely be using whichever method is most appropriate or suits my desire or needs at any particular time.

In these early stages of building, i’ve opted to go for a bolt-on design, for a few reasons. First, the bolt-on design gives maximum versatility. I’m building guitars with very different body and neck woods. They’ll all have the same scale length, bolt pattern and neck pocket, so they’ll be easily interchangeable, so i can experiment with how different neck woods and body woods interact. Second, if anything goes catastrophically wrong at any point in the build, i’ve only lost a body or a neck. With a set-neck or neck-thru, i’d have to trash the whole instrument. I’d rather not do that.

But i won’t be using just any old bolt-on design. The classic Fender “bolt-on” is actually mis-named. The necks are actually screwed on. Bolts are usually threaded to receive a nut. Most “bolt-on” necks just use big wood screws and a metal plate (or recessed metal grommets). Not a bad design, but its strength is limited by thin threads biting into wood. Repeated neck removals weaken the joint every single time.

Here’s how we’re building our bolt-on necks: