Birth of a Guitar

   
Andy's New Mayones Custom Guitars

Mayones After Lena recently obtained a Mayones custom bass, guitarist Andy has also joined the ranks of Mayones players. He has ordered three custom guitars which are currently being built by the company from Poland, so they are indeed 'works in progress'. In this section, we can follow the build of two of these one-of-a-kind instruments through photos straight from the workshop, accompanied by explanation from the builders. We will update this page regularly when a new stage in the build has been reached, so keep checking back!

1. The Neck-thru Blocks are Prepared

Rough pre-prepared neck-thru blocks with glued fretboards are shaped according to the templates (headstock with the heel and neck profile). The necks are now ready to fix the Ebony fretboard, headstock Maple varnish and 3ply binding along the neck and the headstock.



2. Carving the Fret Markers

Before fretting the fretboard custom markers/inlays are carved with the very precise, computer controlled drill (so-called 'CNC machine'). The necks are first sticked to the base to avoid any movement, then the operator programs the CNC machine using the computer with specialised software. The result - intriguing Staff and Razor position marker cavities. In the next phase the cavities will be covered with the undercoat and filled in with the acrylic pearl mass.

3. Fret Markers Finished

The position markers cavities are protected with the undercoat, filled in with acrylic pearl mass and put off for the mass to harden. The excess of the hardened resin is removed and the position markers takes its final form.

4. Top Shaping and Binding

While the acrylic resin is hardening, the maple top is being prepared. The shape of the top is drawn on the Maple board. When the excess is cut away, the top is being prepared to fix the 3ply binding. Each stage and the final effect depicted.

5. Body Fixed to Neck and Shaped

The body consists of two separate pieces. Each is affixed to the neck block and firmly held in place for the glue to harden. After fixing, everything is shaped to form a single continuous form.

6. Complete Body after Sanding

The guitar body is now complete and has been sanded. The cavities for electronics and pot holes have been cut.

Complete Guitar-Player Combo

Andy holding his new Mayones Guitar They're done! As you can see on the right, Andy now is the proud owner of his new Mayones custom guitars. You will be able to see them for real (and hear how they sound) when you go to see MDB on one of the upcoming gigs...