CrimsonGuitars.com:
One night shift and the tremolo is finished, now with vertical adjustment and a solid steel bar that won't bend!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The truss rod cover wasn't quite right, I glue a veneer in to bring the cover level.
CrimsonGuitars.com:
I make a pair of custom height adjustment bolts in stainless steel..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Back to the engineering of the bearing mounting.. One last try at perfection!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The truss rod cover is the last little bit to be made and installed..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
After running a scrap piece through the shot blaster we have something matt to look at.. What do you think?
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The backplates are now in place.. I can't help thinking a matt finish, like the battery box, would look better?
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The beveled edges of the nee backplates are scraped to their final finish with a sharp chisel.. A scalpel would work as well.
CrimsonGuitars.com:
A last job for the day, I start making the backplates for this custom guitar..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The new jack plate is complete and is installed along with the custom control knobs.
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Before I can plug the guitar in to test the wiring I need to create a custom jack plate for the jack and 13 pin outputs.
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The wires are tidied up and fastened to the sides of the control cavity.. Theres still room to play if necesary!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Once the ghost MIDI and piezo system goes in the control cavity takes on the appearance of the nest of a deranged squirell!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
After a trypical Monday.. Ie full of interuptions.. The sustainer and magnetic side of this guitar is wired and sounding beautiful, the rosewood sings!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
All of the holes for the controls have excess finish reamed away..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The control cavity of the new Robert Fripp signature guitar is shielded and ready for electrification!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Of course the sparkle is much more effective when over the black sections of this custom guitar..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Another version of the stainless steel bearing part of the new tremolo is fitted.. I think we have it now!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
A closer look at the sparkle.. A rather difficult shot to get right..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The paf hollow is in the spray booth, an undercoat of lacquer loaded with sparkle will liven proceedings!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The paf hollow is in need of some more lacquer, sometimes the goal of a thin finish causes problems, it is keyed and masked up.
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The new stainless steel bearing system, with one in the center, is fitted and the guitar strung up again.. It works!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Back to the lathe with the bearing part of our new tremolo.. Steel this time for strength!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
And here is the prettier view.. The system attaching the bearings has to be remade in steel but otherwise everything works perfectly!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The new tremolo system, entirely hand made here at Crimson Guitars, is in and the guitar strung up..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Time to fit the new tremolo.. I drill and then thread some holes into the top..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
Stutter free counter sink, a beautifully engineered tool!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The tremolo is put in position, I'm calling it a day for now but tomorrow we see her strung up for thr first time!
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The nuts scalloping is completed.. It's not strictly necesary but I like the bespoke look it gives..
CrimsonGuitars.com:
The final dimensions are, of course, incredibly important to get right.. I love the padouk/ivory/black finish combination.. classy!
