| About Steve's Strats
Before starting working on guitars I had a history in miniature
engineering and model making, scratch building models from plans and
photographs which gave me patience, metalworking, woodworking and electrical
skills but I am still quite capable of burning myself with a soldering iron and still do with annoying frequency as anybody who has sat with me while I'm working will testify! I have
been into guitars since the mid 1970s when I first discovered Ritchie Blackmore
during his days with Rainbow. I saw then live four times between 1976 and 1980.
Seeing myself as the next Ritchie Blackmore I learned to the play the guitar
but would describe myself as average at best, believe me I
am a lot better at working on guitars than I am playing them!
A few years ago I picked up a neglected Fender Stratocaster, it had been
abandoned in an attic and my intention was to restore it as a cosmetic copy of
Blackmore’s Sunburst Strat from the late '70s. I had to do some extensive
research to gather all the information I needed, as I went on my research began
to go deeper and deeper, finding little golden nuggets here and there, not only
about the physical appearance of the guitar but I also uncovered information
about what internal modifications were done as well. My Sunburst was only ever
intended as a cosmetic copy but the project gathered pace and began developing
way beyond just looking like Blackmore's Sunburst Strat. This was my guitar and
I wanted to do all the work myself. My research moved from what needed to be
done to how to go about doing all the modifications the guitar needed and I
have accumulated a vast amount of knowledge that was put to use in this and
subsequent projects. I freely admit when I started out I knew nothing about
modifying electric guitars but over the years I have built my skills and
knowledge base to a level where I am now the one being asked the
questions.
Since then I have built up my expertise "rescuing" abused guitars,
working on friend's guitars (too many different types to list), started making my own parts, parts that are not obtainable on the general market, building anti noise and impedance balancing boxes to assist in the guitar
signal chain. My
guitar work has been highly praised by top international electric guitar
technicians and it is they who encouraged me to make my skills
available. One thing I can assure you of, I know how much my guitars mean to me and when your guitar is in my care it will be treated as if it were one of my own.
If you see anything that interests you or just chat about guitars, Blackmore,
anything, click on the email link below.
| |