About Chris' Customs
Since 2009, I’ve been deep in the trenches of customizing instruments . Every guitar I own bears my personal stamp—whether it’s giving each one its own voice, turning overlooked pawn-shop finds into one-of-a-kind custom players or crafting a “parts-caster”. It all started years ago while messing about in a local guitar shop, bouncing between flashy high-end axes and their humbler, mid-range cousins. Plugged in, sure, they sounded worlds apart, but the feel? Not so much.
That’s when it hit me: hardware and electronics aren’t set in stone. Swap in high-quality parts that complement the guitar’s unique voice, pair it with a killer setup and fret finishing, and boom—you’ve got magic. My first pickup swap was the spark that lit a full-on obsession with instrument customization.
Since then, my mission has been simple—unlock the full potential of every instrument through expanded tonal possibilities, upgraded hardware, and personalized touches that make your guitar totally unmistakable. Keep reading to see what's possible!
ModificationS
Pickup swapping
Pickups are arguably the most important part of your guitar’s electronics. Swapping pickups can improve sound and change your guitar or bass's tone to match the music style you want. For classic and hard rock, you want high-quality PAF-style pickups. For metal, high-output or active pickups work the best. Picking the right pickups is key to getting the tone you want out of your customized instrument.
Hardware
Hardware upgrades are simple and can often lead to dramatic improvements. A few hardware mods I suggest include:
- Tuner upgrades
- Bridge upgrades
- Nut upgrades
- Strap Locks
Other modifications, like Bigsby installations or complete hardware swaps (for a splash of color), can also add “more” to your instrument. These changes not only boost your instrument's performance but also give it a unique personality.
Electronics
What’s inside your instrument can significantly shape its tone—sometimes dramatically, like adding an on-board pre-amp or booster, or more subtly by enhancing frequency response and control sensitivity. Here are some top modifications I suggest for dialing in the best tone:
Capacitors – Upgrading to high-quality capacitors improves your tone control’s effectiveness, sweetens your sound, and boosts note clarity.
Potentiometers – Premium pots deliver smooth, noiseless operation and optimal tonal response. There’s a variety of pots to choose from depending on your needs and goals.
Push/Pull Pots – These versatile components enable wiring tricks like coil splitting, series/parallel switching, and phase switching—all great ways to expand your sonic palette.
Concentric Pots – Perfect for adding more control without drilling extra holes. On guitars with master volume and tone but multiple pickups, concentric pots let you stack volume and tone controls per pickup in one neat package.
Wiring Modifications – Thoughtful rewiring can unlock new tonal possibilities and improve signal clarity.
Tweak these elements under the hood, and your instrument’s voice will thank you!
Projects Gallery
Squier Esquire Deluxe
On-Board Fuzz and Electronics Overhaul - 2026
The owner of this Esquire Deluxe wanted a unique guitar that could go from sounding like a normal guitar to a snarling sludgy beast. I swapped out the Wide-Range humbuckers with Duncan Whole Lotta Humbuckers and rewired the guitar to include an onboard fuzz circuit based on early 60's one-knob design. This required replacing both potentiometers - the Volume was replaced with a push/pull pot to facilitate the on/off function of the fuzz circuit. The tone knob was replaced with a stacked concentric pot allowing the top knob to handle Tone knob duties while the bottom knob handled the volume of the fuzz circuit.
Firebird VII
Mods & Updates - 2025
I updated my Epiphone Firebird VII: Replacing the pickups, Tailpiece, and Tuners; and adding 3 mini toggle switches to control the pickup wiring for each pickup. Read more.
Les Paul Jr
Overhaul - 2023
I overhauled my Epiphone Les Paul Jr, replacing everything except the pickguard and the output jack giving it increased functionality along with more tones to choose from. Read More.
Flying V
Overhaul - 2019
I overhauled an Epiphone Flying V to have updated electronics - Pickups, switching and capacitor and also upgraded the tuning machines, bridge and knobs. Read More.
Stratocaster
Custom Build - 2017
This is a Custom Stratocaster that I built from parts in 2017 from a Squier body, Seymour Duncan Classic Stack humbucking single coils and a 10-way Freeway Switch. Read More.
Signature Series George Washburn
Floyd repair - 2025
This Washburn had a broken Floyd pivot stud. Due to the lack of availability of the part, I had to replace the whole pivot assembly. Read more.
Les Paul Custom
Mods & Updates - 2023
I updated my Epiphone Les Paul Custom with upgraded pickups, electronics modifications and hardware upgrades. Read More.
Les Paul Custom Prophecy
Overhaul - 2018
I overhauled my Les Paul Prophecy to be more consistent with Custom models, replacing the hardware and adding Custom appointments. I also overhauled the electronics. Read More.
SG G-1275
Overhaul - 2017
I overhauled my Epiphone SG G-1275 Double Neck to be two complete guitars: Replacing the pickups, Tuners; and adding 4 concentric pots for full Volume and Tone controls for each neck. Read More.
Service Menu
GUITAR & BASS MAINTENANCE:
Standard String Change:
Electric – $25 | Acoustic – $30
Floyd / Bigsby - $40 | 12-String - $50
Includes:
- Clean and polish Body and hardware
- Inspect and tighten machine head tuners
- Inspect and tighten all hardware
- Restring Instrument
*Strings not included - Providing your own strings is preferred, but I do have sets for purchase for $8
Chris' Custom 12-Point Setup:
Electric – $60
Floyd / Bigsby / 12-String - $80
Includes:
- Clean and polish Body and hardware
- Fretboard and fret cleaning.
- Fretboard conditioning (Raw Wood fretboards only)
- Inspect and tighten machine head tuners
- Inspect and tighten all hardware
- Restring Instrument (strings not included)
- Inspect and Adjust Truss Rod
- Inspect and Adjust Saddles (if needed)
- Inspect and Balance Tremolo Bridge (if applicable/needed)
- Set Action
- Set Intonation
- Pickup height and balance check and adjustment
**Over 6 Strings, add $5 per additional string.
Other Maintenance
- Tremolo Balancing: $40 (requires a fully strung guitar)
- Intonation Adjustment: $20
- Action Adjustment: $20
- Solder joint touch-ups: $25
Overhauls, Odd Modifications, Rewires
Have a big job? Looking to overhaul your guitar electronics? Want to install that 3-band EQ in your bass? Contact me and let me know what you are looking to do and I will work up a quote.
REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS:
Cost of parts is not included unless otherwise specified
Electronics Replacement / rEPAIR:
- Pickups*: $50 - 2 for $75 - 3 for $100
- Pickguard mounted - add $10
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Potentiometers: $15
- Pickguard Mounted* - add $35
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Switches: Standard - $15 | Custom Switching - $25+
- Pickguard Mounted* - add $35
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Capacitors: $15
- Pickguard Mounted* - add $35
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Pre-wired pickguard replacement*: $65
- Output Jack: Repair $25 | Replacement $50 (incl jack)
Hardware Replacement / rEPAIR:
- Nut**: TUSQ $75 (includes nut)
- Direct Replacement Tuning Machines*: 6 String $70
12 String $100 | Additional strings: $5 each - Non-Direct Replacement Tuning Machines*: 6 String $100 12 String $150 | Additional strings: $5 each
- Hardtail Bridge**: $65
- Tailpiece Replacement*: $40
- Fender Style Tremolo Bridge Replacement**: $100
- Floyd Style Locking Tremolo Bridge Replacement**: $130
- Bigsby Installation**: $150 / $125 with adapter plates
- Strap Button or Strap-lock Install: $10
- Other Repairs - Contact me for a quote.
* - Includes a Standard String change - Upgrade to Chris' Custom 12-Point Setup for $25
** - Includes Chris' Custom 12-Point Setup
Modifications
- Triple Shot Mounting Rings*: $50 - 2 for $75 - 3 for $100
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Custom Switches: $25
- Pickguard Mounted* - add $35
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25 - Push/Pull Potentiometers: $30
- Pickguard Mounted* - add $35
- Hollowbody w/no Control Cavity cover - add $25
