Guitar Making | NSJ | Mentions

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Suitable UK/European timber for building" -

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:03:52 +0100

@nsj 🤣🤣
You’re certainly not the first to say it and I’m pretty sure won’t be the last!

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Suitable UK/European timber for building" -

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:26:13 +0100

@nsj beech? I thought it would be quite heavy, thanks for confirming.
It’s possibly a sacrilegious thing to say, but I’m not a big fan of the look of spalted wood. So thinlines or heavily chambered it is!

Thanks as always!

Boo replied to the topic "last one before Xmas" -

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:43:21 +0000

@nsj Very nice looking guitar and a cool finish

Russ replied to the topic "last one before Xmas" -

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:40:08 +0000

Lovin’ it @nsj
🙂🎵🎸🙏

Stephen Hayes replied to the topic "Hot off the bench, latest build." -

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:55:19 +0000

@nsj thanks for the tip and your kind comments. Good luck with your faux binding. I did not find it to be difficult. I used sanding sealer on the sides before staining the top right out to the edge, just… Read more»

Brian Walker replied to the topic "My most recent build" -

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:23:44 +0000

@nsj Sounds like a lot of work but very satisfying, I’m sure, especially when you see the finished article👍🎸

Brian Walker replied to the topic "My most recent build" -

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 15:39:08 +0000

@nsj Another masterpiece Neil, love the way the wood and resin in the centre carries on through the pickup covers, how did you manage that?👌🎸👍

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Advice on body cap carve top with cavity." -

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 11:45:50 +0100

@nsj thanks Neil, that is the obvious answer I’d stupidly not considered…
The other side is a bit nicer, but this will be my first carve top, so this suggestion makes the best sense.

Brian Walker replied to the topic "Latest build" -

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:50:07 +0100

@nsj Thanks Neil, very tidy installation👍😊🎸

Andrew Orton replied to the topic "Bosch Colt palm Router, anyone using this?" -

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 13:01:10 +0100

@nsj I’ll check that one out, thankyou. Greatly appreciate you coming back to me to share your experience. Bit of a mind field out there especially you tube reviews

Russ replied to the topic "Latest build" -

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:35:23 +0100

@nsj
Again I enjoyed watching this one Neil. I wish I had the ability to just go for it that you have.
🙂🎸🙏🎵

Jonathan Hodgson replied to the topic "Rattly truss rod" -

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:47:04 +0100

@nsj Thanks, I thought it was probably either not an issue or recoverable, but needed a bit of assurance before I started removing more wood.As for the hairline glues lines at the fingerboard edge I’m less worried about them because… Read more»

Boo replied to the topic "Explorer" -

Mon, 19 May 2025 18:31:14 +0100

@nsj Wonderful build that Neil. I’ve always loved that shape, it’s so rock! 🤘😜🤘

Benjamin Schwillens replied to the topic "Prs body Neck Break Angles on a body" -

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 09:08:28 +0100

@nsj thx for info, i am still in doubt if i will carve bye hand or use templates.

Russ replied to the topic "Explorer" -

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 14:30:47 +0100

@nsj
I’ve just been watching you finishing it this morning. Nice work again, Neil.
🎸🙏🎵🙂

Brian Walker replied to the topic "Explorer" -

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 09:51:49 +0100

@nsj Nice one Neil👍😃🎸

Clinton replied to the topic "First 7 string" -

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 09:51:58 +0000

@nsj Top Job! Very Nice

Russ replied to the topic "First 7 string" -

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 09:06:03 +0000

@nsj.
Great work again Neil.
🙂🎵🎸🙏

SomethingNicer replied to the topic "Does this adapter exist?" -

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 11:37:37 +0000

@nsj oh I see…. Hmm I haven’t noticed that myself.

SomethingNicer replied to the topic "Does this adapter exist?" -

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 11:29:58 +0000

@nsj well that’s kind of my point I think. The extension isn’t stable in the base because the nose threads don’t fit.

Brian Walker replied to the topic "Suitable UK/European timber for building" -

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 17:58:44 +0000

@nsj You should try it, especially with some soap, YEAH, wire wool and soap……its BRILLO!! 🤣 🤣

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Suitable UK/European timber for building" -

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:49:03 +0000

@nsj you utter hero, this is music (no pun intended) to my ears! For some reason I thought both walnut and cherry would be heavier. Knowing the kind of weight bracket they’re in I’ll definitely give them a go. The… Read more»

Brian Walker replied to the topic "Ukelele!" -

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 16:47:44 +0000

@nsj That’s great Neil, sounds awesome!! Have a great Christmas and New Year 😃👍🎸

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Suitable UK/European timber for building" -

Sun, 22 Dec 2024 07:39:11 +0000

Nice one, Cheers @nsj How do walnut and cherry work out weight wise in comparison to say khaya mahogany or limba? I get that it can depend on the blank, but interested in your thoughts. I’ve kinda already discounted oak… Read more»

Russ replied to the topic "Ukelele!" -

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 23:45:12 +0000

@nsj
Fantastic! Neil. Really enjoyed watching this unfold. I’ve never heard a Ike played or sound like that before. Brilliant!
🙂🎵🎸🙏

Russ replied to the topic "A mahognay neck through redo" -

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 10:27:07 +0000

@nsj
Enjoyed watching this, Neil. Good to see how things can be adapted rather than building from scratch. 🙌
🎸🙏🙂🎵

Benjamin Schwillens replied to the topic "A mahognay neck through redo" -

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 08:00:09 +0000

@nsj nice guitar

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "A mahognay neck through redo" -

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 06:06:33 +0000

@nsj lovely. I don’t think there was, but just in case there was any misunderstanding, my comment was based on my mixed results with flattening with a router sled not any suggestion you were doing it ‘wrong’. I didn’t think… Read more»

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "A mahognay neck through redo" -

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:19:35 +0000

Lovely work @nsj!
I wouldn’t have thought the tiger router would have left the body surface flat enough for gluing on a top, but good to know!

Brian Walker replied to the topic "Build #2 finally finished." -

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:41:18 +0000

@nsj Thanks Neil, Yeah the neck wood is some kind of “mahogany “ and my best guess is Gabon mahogany (okoume) but not at all sure.👍😃🎸

Russ replied to the topic "Built my first 5 string" -

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 08:47:33 +0100

@nsj
Nice work yet again Neil. Really enjoyed watching this one. Enjoy your well earned break.
🎸🙂🎶🙏

Boo replied to the topic "Built my first 5 string" -

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 12:58:20 +0100

@nsj Luckily, he would hate a 5 string bass so I think I’m safe. 😆 However, I better not tell him I don’t want to build a 5 string, otherwise he might ask me to make him one just to… Read more»

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Built my first 5 string" -

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 09:00:57 +0100

@nsj very cool!

Boo replied to the topic "Built my first 5 string" -

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 08:54:24 +0100

@nsj Great work as usual Neil. I must build a bass soon. My last customer was very happy with his Tele guitar, he’ll want a bass to go with it (he is a bass player after all). I love the… Read more»

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Built my first 5 string" -

Sat, 14 Sep 2024 04:47:36 +0100

@nsj nice work, very clean!
I’ve got to ask, where do you get Brazilian mahogany?

Robin replied to the topic "Robin's Build #005" -

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 21:24:25 +0100

@nsj 1 year per inch thick for drying is what I understand Oh well, thats going to take a while then. I did say its going to be a long term project. Meanwhile, I’ve got a nice bit of mahogany… Read more»

Tej replied to the topic "Neck wood" -

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 04:52:01 +0100

@nsj that’s good to know. I’m looking to make the next build a laminated neck with ash and mahogany now, also temping to throw something else into the mix. I’ve seen many examples of people using thin strips of something… Read more»

Rocknroller912 replied to the topic "First Tele Style Build" -

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:39:32 +0100

@nsj I used Eze Oil from David Dyke Luthier Supplies. Works very well.

Boo replied to the topic "Sanding the inside of a hole" -

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 22:42:48 +0100

@nsj 😆😆😆😆😆😆 That’s one way around it I suppose.

Boo replied to the topic "Sanding the inside of a hole" -

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 22:17:43 +0100

@nsj Yeah, I probably would have got it more accurate in the first place but I had already drilled the holes for a standard neck plate and fitted the neck. I then changed my mind and went with the ferrules… Read more»

Boo replied to the topic "Sanding the inside of a hole" -

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 21:56:58 +0100

@nsj Yeah I realise a dremmel would be perfect for the job but I don’t have one. 😆 It’s probably about time I got one. The idea of sandpaper around a socket was just to solve the problem with what… Read more»

Boo replied to the topic "Floyd Rose trem on a shorter scale guitar" -

Sun, 21 Jul 2024 21:26:17 +0100

@nsj That is good news, can’t wait to try it now. Cheers. 👍

Boo replied to the topic "Floyd Rose trem on a shorter scale guitar" -

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 22:17:06 +0100

@nsj That is perfect, exactly the info I was looking for. I was just going to try it anyway using a rough and ready quick build and see how things went. I’ll go for it now then. Cheers Neil 👍

jamesbisset replied to the topic "Anyone know what kind of pickups these are?" -

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:46:03 +0100

Thanks to @russ and @nsj. The Waterslide Guitars Instagram feed reveals that the pickups are Mojo pickups, handmade in the UK.
https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/product/dual-foil-humbucker-gold-foil/ and yes, they’re magnetic.
Must admit, now that I’ve found them, I’m quite taken with the Charlie Christian model…[Read more]

Steve Handley replied to the topic "Explorer (or maybe LP) with Floyd Rose" -

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 14:03:44 +0100

@nsj thanks, both good suggestions, although I tightened the trussrod to the point of creaking alarmingly to get it not quite straight. i do have a means of setting the neck the way you described; I just forgot about it…. Read more»

Russ replied to the topic "les Paul style" -

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 15:24:05 +0100

@nsj
As much as I’m mainly a strat kind of guy, Neil, I do really like the look of this one. Maybe I’ve just had a conversion moment. 😁
🎸🎶🙂🙏

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "les Paul style" -

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 05:00:20 +0100

Thanks @nsj I’ll take a look. I’d go for glue in, I think. I’m often finding with guitar building (but can be asked to life in general) is that I often don’t know what I don’t know. So when looking… Read more»

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "les Paul style" -

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 05:41:02 +0100

@nsj I saw your post on Instagram and hoped you’d share more photos here. It’s a great job! I’ve only made double cutaways up to now, but fancy a pop at a single cut. In your experience is there anything… Read more»

Russ replied to the topic "les Paul style" -

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 09:27:07 +0100

@nsj
Another great job done Neil. You’re like a one man guitar factory. Great stuff.
🎸🙂🎶🙏

Dan Hawkes replied to the topic "Thicknesser?" -

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:52:51 +0100

@nsj Cheers buddy. Sounds like I need to keep the chap with the drum sander sweet😅