Chris' Customs

 
 

about Chris' Customs

I have been customizing and building custom instruments since 2009, and I have since customized all of my current instruments, built and sold "parts-caster" guitars, and made many a pawn-shop beater into a custom player. It all started many years ago while browsing the local guitar store inventory and playing both high-end and mid-priced guitars. While the guitars sounded quite different plugged in, I couldn't necessarily tell the price-difference in the feel quality. Understanding that hardware and electronics could all be swapped out for high-quality parts that could be tailored to the specific voice of the guitar as well as knowing that a good setup and fret-finishing make the world of difference. From that thought, and the first set of pickups I swapped, began the journey into instrument customization.

Since then, I have always strove to realize the strengths of an instrument and improve upon them, including expanded tonal options, hardware upgrades and unique features to make your signature instrument. 

 
 

 modifications

pickups

Arguably the most influential piece of the electronics circuit, a new set of pickups can not only provide enhanced tone, but can alter the voice of the guitar or bass to fit the style of music you want to use the instrument for. Want to use the guitar for classic rock?  A PAF-style pickup set is your best bet.  Hard Rock or Metal?  Maybe an active pickup is the tone for you. Choosing the right pickup for the tone you are looking for is a crucial piece in your custom instrument.

Electronics

What's under the hood can also greatly effect the tone of your instrument, whether drastically, such as installing an on-board pre-amp, or booster, or more subtly such as increasing frequency response and control sensitivity.  Several modifications I recommend for optimal tone are:

  • Capacitors - High quality capacitors can increase the effectiveness of your tone control as well as sweeten the tone and provide increased note definition. 
  • Potentiometers - High quality pots provide reliable, noiseless movement and optimal tone. Several different potentiometers can be used depending on the circumstance and desired outcome.
    • Push/Pull Pots - Can be used to accomplish a variety of wiring applications such a coil splitting, series/parallel switching and phase switching.
    • Concentric Pots - Can be used to increase the control quantity of your instrument without increasing the number of holes in it. I use these a lot on instruments with master volume and tone controls but multiple pickups.  Using concentric pots, each pickup can have its own volume and tone knob stacked.
  • Wiring Modifications

Hardware

Hardware upgrades are easy and can sometimes make huge improvements.  Several hardware mods I recommend are:

  • Tuner Upgrades
  • Bridge Upgrades
  • Nut replacements

Other mods, such as Bigsby installations or full hardware swaps (for color) are also possible and can add not only functionality, but also character, to your instrument.

 
 

Request an estimate

To request an estimate, please complete the form below with you request and I will respond with an estimate as soon as we have reviewed your request. 

If you would like to be contacted via telephone, please enter a phone number. Otherwise, a detailed estimate will be delivered by email.

Please note that I may need to contact you with clarifying questions prior to providing a final estimate.