All Categories - Guitar Repairs, Restorations & Customisation by Lewis Durtnall

Offering Guitar Repairs, Restorations and Customisations, throughout Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Torbay, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Exeter, Plymouth & Devon!

Merry Christmas!

24/12/2020

A massive thank you to all our customers during this eventful and testing year.
We’ve still been amazingly lucky with customers new and familiar, we’ve loved repairing/working on all the instruments.
Roll on 2021, we’ve a huge year planned next year as it’s the 10th anniversary of Torbay Guitar Repairs, so expect some cool things throughout the year!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

Vintage Gremlin Broken Neck Repair

3/12/2020

This vintage Gremlin guitar was in the workshop during lockdown for some major repair work while we were shut.
It’s neck had been broken away from the body!
Once it was repaired, it’s was setup and the top of the guitar was hand polished to complete the restoration!

As the neck was basically completely detached from the body! It had a nasty crack running down either side of the body. The neck was carefully reglued back into position, with attention to ensure the neck angle was correct!

Some cosmetic work was done to the top of the guitar either side of the damage to hide the repair. The damage to the back of the neck/body joint was also tidied too!

62' Jazz Bass Project Build

3/12/2020

This cool 62’ style project Jazz bass we assembled and setup while we were closed for lockdown!

One of our regular customers had purchased the parts for a 62' Fender Jazz Style bass project.
The only reused part was the neck that had been taken off a previous build.
The first job was to fit the neck to the body.
The old holes on the neck had to be drilled and plugged before the new holes could be drilled as the new body holes were slightly different from the previous body.
The neck had to be carefully bolted onto the body to ensure the string angle and string positioning was correct.
Once the neck fitted and aligned, the next job was adding the hardware!

As the customer wanted a ‘62 style bass, the decision was made to have an old style copper strip earth wire. These are almost impossible to buy new so we made our own!

The bridge fitted with the copper earthing wire plus we made an earthing plate for the pickups as found in vintage Fender basses.

The rest of the parts were assembled on the body and the scratchplate was fitted after the holes were drilled!
We stained the edges of the scratchplate and gave it a very light scuffing to match it in with the aged body.
It was then time for stringing and setup!

Workshop back Open!

2/12/2020

Great news! The workshop is back open and up and running!
We’ve already started contacting customers on our waiting list and will be contacting the remaining people shortly.
Due to Tier 2 Covid restrictions, all visits to the workshop will be a short as possible with drop off/ collections thanks. We’re still happy to give advice but this will be over the phone/email/messenger/WhatsApp.
We kindly ask that customers wear a face mask and maintain social distancing. Anyone with symptoms/suspected symptom, please let us know and we can reschedule your appointment.
Looking forward to seeing you and your instrument soon!

The Workshop is Closed during Lockdown.

5/11/2020

Customer announcement:
As it’s been confirmed that we are entering into a second national lockdown, we are sadly having to close the workshop during this time.
We apologise to everyone on our waiting list and thank you for your patience during this crazy time.
We will be in touch to arrange bookings as soon as we are able to reopen.
Thanks for your custom and once again, look forward to seeing you on the other side!

Covid- 19 Update

12/10/2020

Customer announcement:
Due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19 and the seasonal change in the weather, we are having a slight change to our social distancing routines.

We kindly ask that all visitors please wear face masks when visiting the workshop (unless health reasons prevent wearing one).

Visits will now be more inside the workshop but limited to 10 minutes. One person per visit thanks. Doors/window will still be left open if weather permits. We will still maintain social distancing of 2 meters or 1 meter plus dependant on weather conditions.

We have always been more than happy to answer any questions and give advice when asked. We will still very much offer this service but will now answer these questions through phone, email, messenger or WhatsApp.

As normal anyone who is showing signs of Covid or come into contact with someone with Covid, we kindly ask that you postpone your appointment until after self isolating and we will happily rearrange your visit.

Thank you very much for your ongoing custom and support. These are very strange time and we very much look forward to resuming our normal service as soon as we are able!

Busy Month in the Workshop!

31/7/2020

It's been a really busy month as we've been catching up with our waiting list while we were closed for lockdown.

Some highlights include a 20 year old PRS that was in for a setup, a Fender 'Big Apple' Stratocaster in for some care and a setup. A project Telecaster in for a setup that the customer made during lockdown and a 90's Ibanez S series that was brought in for some customisation to modernise it including a new set of pickups and a rewire!

We're never too busy to repair/customise/restore your guitar/bass so get in touch if you want to find out more!

Post Lockdown Repairs!

30/6/2020

It's been a busy end of month as since lockdown ended we've been able to start on our waiting list that built up since lockdown!

Highlights include a Lakland bass for a setup, a mini restoration on a Aria archtop, a vintage Yamaha acoustic in for a fret recrown and hand polish. A Fender aerodyne bass was in for new pickups and custom wiring, plus an EVH Frankie in for a setup!

Although we are currently running a waiting list, please get in touch if you wish us to repair/customise/restore your guitar or bass.

Gibson J45 Fret Recrown and Setup

29/6/2020

This lovely Gibson J45 was recently in for a fret recrown and a setup!

The frets are masked off and marked before the recrowning process can begin.

The frets were then filed carefully preserving the tops of the frets, once the frets had been reprofiled they were hand polished to a shine!

Vintage Burns Marquee Setup!

26/6/2020

This cool vintage Burns Marquee Club Series was recently in the workshop for a setup!

For guitar repairs and customisations by Lewis Durtnall, email TorbayGuitarRepairs@live.co.uk!