Super happy with how this one came out. A good customer of mine Tom, brought in his strat, that he liked but wanted it jazzing up a bit. He decided on a moss green candy (as close to bottle green as we could find) Sanded it back, sprayed a black base then a course silver flake. Sprayed an intercoat over that so it gives it a nice level finish. Then gave it 6 coats of candy to get it as dark as possible. After that had cured out, I shot a 2k over the top and left it alone for

A buzzing guitar can be annoying, especially when it affects notes that used to sound clean. The good news is that fret buzz doesn't automatically mean your guitar needs an expensive repair. It can have several causes, and identifying the problem is the first step towards fixing it. At 81 Guitar Works, I work on guitar setups and fretwork in Lowestoft and Norwich. Here's what I'd consider when investigating a buzzing guitar. What is fret buzz? Fret buzz occurs when a vibratin

Few things are more frustrating than tuning your guitar, playing a few chords and discovering that it's already gone out of tune. There are several possible causes, from old strings and winding problems to bridge movement and issues with the guitar's nut. At 81 Guitar Works, I regularly see how small setup details can make a significant difference to the way an instrument behaves. What does the guitar nut actually do? The nut sits at the end of the fretboard nearest the heads

One of the first questions people ask when considering a guitar refinish is simple: how much will it cost? The answer depends on the guitar, its existing condition and the finish you want. A straightforward colour change and a complex custom finish can involve very different amounts of preparation and work. At 81 Guitar Works, I publish prices for a selection of guitar refinishing services so you can get an idea of the cost before getting in touch. What affects the price of a

Found a guitar refinisher whose work you love, but they're not close enough to visit? You may still be able to get the finish you want without travelling across the country. At 81 Guitar Works, based in Suffolk, I can discuss refinishing projects with customers outside the local area. Depending on the instrument and the work required, it may be possible to send the relevant guitar body or components to the workshop. The key is to agree the work and shipping arrangements befor

Give Your Guitar a New Lease of Life A great guitar doesn't have to stay the same colour forever. Perhaps you've found the perfect guitar but aren't keen on its finish. Maybe an old favourite has suffered years of wear and damage, or you're building a guitar and want a finish that makes it genuinely your own. Whatever the reason, professional guitar refinishing can transform the appearance of an instrument and give you the opportunity to create something individual. At 81 Gui

I saw a picture of a Burno Royal Artist and instantly fell in love with it. I wanted to create my own take on the design, keeping the character that drew me to the original while adding a German carve and modern playability. This one is spec’d with: Ash body and top Roasted flamed maple neck Ebony fretboard Stainless steel frets Mastery tremolo and bridge Old Bones Custom mini humbuckers Gotoh tuners Bone nut Luminlay side markers A classic-inspired design, reworked with a fe

When we moved into our new house, I found a couple of old wasp nests in the loft. I managed to get them down and immediately thought, wouldn’t it be cool to use these in a guitar? Fast forward a couple of years, and after being told that if I didn’t do something with them they were going in the bin, I finally got around to making these two. Both nests were set in epoxy alongside pieces of ash burl. For the 6-string, I kept the nest natural, while the 7-string got a black-pain

A Cool Z Telemaster gets a fresh new look. This Cool Z Telemaster came into the workshop for a complete refinish. It had previously been painted black and reliced, but the relic work had left some fairly substantial dents in the body. I stripped it right back to bare wood and repaired the dents before getting it ready for its new finish. The customer chose this great muted green, which was finished off with a Nitro Cellulose top coat for a classic look and feel. The customer

From discoloured white to graffiti yellow! This Charvel came into the workshop looking a little tired, so it was time for a fresh new look. Out with the old discoloured white and in with a bright Graffiti Yellow finish. Thinking about giving your guitar a new look? We offer a wide range of refinishing options, from classic solid colours and metallics to sunbursts and completely custom finishes. Got an idea in mind? Get in touch and let’s see what we can do. Check out our pric

Check out the skank on this! This well-gigged, well-worn Takamine came into the workshop for some much-needed love. The customer was getting buzzing in a few places, and it didn’t take long to track down the cause — the frets had literally been played down to the fretboard! So, time to get stuck in. First, I scraped all the grime and years of accumulated muck from the fretboard before pulling the old frets. Once they were out, there was even more grime hiding underneath, so t

I’m going to start writing a few blog posts about some of the projects that come through the workshop, starting with this Les Paul. A customer shipped me this one in to have the original plastic fretboard inlays replaced with genuine Mother of Pearl. The first job was removing the old inlays. I drilled a small hole into each one before giving it a good whack with a chisel. This cleanly popped the old inlays out without damaging the fretboard. The new Mother of Pearl inlays we

There’s no better way to understand how a guitar works than building one yourself. An electric guitar kit build teaches you far more than simply assembling parts — it reveals how neck alignment, hardware placement, wiring, and setup all interact to create a playable instrument. My BOLT ON Electric Guitar Kit Build Course in Norwich is a guided, hands-on workshop that takes you from box of parts to fully playable guitar. What Is a Guitar Kit Build? A guitar kit build involves

Sometimes, even a good setup isn’t enough. If a guitar continues to buzz, choke notes, or feel inconsistent across the fretboard, uneven frets are often the cause. Fret levelling is one of the most important — and misunderstood — aspects of professional guitar maintenance. My Fret Levelling and Setup Course in Norwich is an intensive, hands-on workshop designed for players who want to understand and correct these deeper playability issues. What Is Fret Levelling? Fret levell

A guitar that’s difficult to play can hold back even the most enthusiastic player. Many guitarists assume buzzing strings, tuning problems, or uncomfortable action are simply “part of the instrument” — but in most cases, these issues come down to a poor or neglected setup. That’s why learning the fundamentals of guitar setup is so valuable. My General Guitar Setup Course in Norwich is designed to teach players how to correctly maintain and adjust their own instruments, impro

Whether you’re just starting your guitar journey or you’ve been playing for a little while, taking care of your instrument is one of the best habits you can build early on.Good maintenance keeps your guitar sounding better, playing easier, and lasting longer. As a guitar repairer based in Lowestoft , working with musicians across Suffolk and Norwich , here are the 10 essential guitar care tips every new guitarist should know . 1. Keep Your Guitar in Tune This sounds simple —

How and When to Humidify Your Guitar: Essential Advice for Suffolk Guitarists Humidity is one of the most important — and most overlooked — parts of guitar care. Whether you’re in Suffolk, Lowestoft or Norwich , the dry months can cause real damage to acoustic and electric guitars. This guide explains when to humidify your guitar, what happens when you don’t, and how to keep it safe year-round. 1. Why Humidity Matters Guitars are made of thin pieces of wood that expand and co

Caring for Your Guitar When You Live by the Sea: A Guide for Lowestoft & Suffolk Guitarists Living in Lowestoft , the most easterly point in the UK, means enjoying the beauty of the North Sea every day — but it also means your guitar is exposed to a unique set of environmental challenges.Salt air, humidity swings, and colder coastal winds can all impact how your guitar plays, ages and sounds. As a guitar repairer in Lowestoft , I see the same issues come up again and again, e

You know when you see a guitar and it just feels right? That’s the LO from 81 Guitar Works . It’s where classic vibes meet modern...

Quick Restringing and Setup Services for Touring Bands Passing Through Norwich Life on the road is wild enough without your guitar or...