OPTIONS

Because I build each ordered guitar for a particular customer and make every part myself, I can offer a complete custom service. Here are some aspects I am commonly asked about but please feel free to ask about any other variations you are interested in.

Bindings and purflings
My standard decoration schemes are described in their own section but custom schemes can be specified including more traditional styles such as herringbone or multiple ring rosettes. I generally produce guitars in my own style but am open to talk about alternative looks! You can choose from a huge range of edging woods to get a unique guitar although with the small numbers of guitars I make each year every one is essentially one of a kind!

I am about to add an addional option of an extra ring of shell inlay around the standard bound sound-hole edge - this will be introduced firstly on a new guitar for Newton Faulkner this year (2011).

Woods
Woods other than those listed as standard can be used for soundboard, back and sides, head facing, fingerboard, bridge, neck and bridgeplate. Please contact me for availability and prices. Some woods not held in stock may require some time to stabilised after purchase although common ones usually only require about three months. See Woods and Prices pages for some details.

Machineheads
Standard machineheads are Gotoh SGV510. I find these work absolutely perfectly (better than the vast majority of 'handmade' examples) and I like the understated button shapes which meld nicely with the style of my guitars. Many other brands can be fitted - just ask!

Above: Gotoh 510 tuners. Various button and plating options available!

Cutaways
See my new Cutaway options page for details.

'Benjamin Scoop' cutaway: from £250
Venetian (curved): from £250
Florentine (pointy): from £400
Custom: ask for quote

'Manzer Wedge' tapered body
Canadian luthier Linda Manzer originally developed this feature: all guitar bodies are tapered in depth from end-to-end but the wedge body also tapers from side-to-side with the bass side of the guitar being shallower than the treble. This makes larger guitars more comfortable to hold due to there being less depth to get your right arm over and also serves to tilt the whole body back towards the player slightly making it less necessary to crouch over the guitar to see the fretboard. Both these results can significantly improve playing posture and therefore help relieve back and shoulder problems. Used as standard for my Jumbo model and upon request for other models.

No charge!

Above: the Manzer Wedge (and Benjamin Scoop!).

Percussion Model
I now offer a new version of my guitars designed specifically for 'percussion' players. The term 'percussion' implies the use of techniques including; varied altered (usually low) tunings, fingerstyle playing, fretting notes with both hands using hit-ons (tapping) and the production of percussion sounds by striking the guitar's body! Many players use some elements of this style and this version of my guitars is aimed to work well whichever combination someone uses - it is not just a guitar to be hit!

The specification essentially includes a pinless bridge instead of my standard type and internal strutting layout designed to excel in low tunings and also resist damage as much as possible without any negative tonal impact. Even this model will break if you hit it hard enough!

The pinless bridge features small metal inserts to stop the string ball-ends digging in over time and also has a geometry which makes sure that the string break angle over the saddle doesn't get too flat if the saddle is adjusted to lower setting ( a common fault with many pinless bridge designs).

Below (and above in 'Wedge' section): Percussion Jumbo 2011. Adirondack spruce with koa back and sides.

Fingerboard dimensions and radii
These are my most common neck dimensions, but you can specify anything you like.

Standard radius is a compound 16" at the nut flattening out to 20". A tighter 12" to 16" compound can also be specified or any other you like.

Neck profile
Standard neck profile is a soft C shape with slightly rolled fingerboard edges, increasing in depth from 21mm at the nut to 22mm at its maximum, gradually thinning out at the edges as it does so. I can go up to 1mm shallower than this or as deep as you like. Many customers bring in a guitar with a neck they like for me to copy if the standard option doesn't work for their hands.

Usually no extra cost for most neck profiles.

Fingerboard inlays
Besides the standard mother-of-pearl dot inlays a plain fingerboard or faux turquoise dot patterns can be specified.

Usually no charge for different dot patterns.

Head logo or signature
I have gone through a few different versions of my head logo/signature and the current style I have settled upon (probably permanently this time!) is a new version of my original solid silver signature inlay. I still have some shell B inlays left (which can be inlayed into black ebony facings only) but when they are used only the silver signature will be available.

Custom inlays
Custom inlay work will be quoted for individually and can be undertaken in shell or wood and also the silver inlay technique I use for my signature on the headstock. Please note that I do not consider myself an 'inlay artist' and generally produce plainer more minimalist styled guitars - if you want a 'Style 45' guitar or 'tree-of-life' fretboard inlays then you are probably looking at the wrong maker!

Fret wire
I now supply my guitars with medium extra hard 'Evo' fretwire as standard. 'Evo' fret wire is a nickel free alloy with a slightly brass or gold colour due to its copper content. It is significantly harder than traditional wire and is also available in a larger Jumbo profile. Stainless steel or traditional wire are also available.

Head shape
My tapered head shape has now become my most common style due to its sleeker look and straighter string paths across the nut which can help with tuning stability. The flared shape is still available upon request.

Slothead
My slot head is an option commonly used on the twelve fret Treble 0. A rear facing can be used to increase strength and create an interesting feature.

With Gotoh vintage style machines: from £200.
With Alessi handmade machines: from £300.

12 String Guitars
I would generally only recommend larger models such as the Jumbo to be built as '12-Strings' since a tighter, stronger soundboard and neck are required which can lead to an unbalanced and tight feeling smaller instrument. A 'Double X-Brace' system is used to increase soundboard strength and carbon fibre rods supplement the standard adjustable trussrod in the neck to ensure long term stability. A relatively short 635mm scale is also usually used to increase playability and compensate for the more rigid construction.

Add £350+ to chosen model price.

Non-Standard shapes
I am usually happy to make other shapes and sizes, if there is a special design you have in mind, but there is generally a mould making and design fee.

Mould/design fee: £500 minimum.