A.C. Fretworks

A.C. Fretworks A.C. Fretworks is dedicated to designing and building custom guitars tailored to the individual player.

In case anyone was wondering if the SpeTool Ranger Series flush trim bit is worth getting... It is. What a cut.
02/29/2024

In case anyone was wondering if the SpeTool Ranger Series flush trim bit is worth getting... It is. What a cut.

This past Saturday, I had an impromptu trip to Guitar Center, which resulted in an impulse buy on a deal I couldn't resi...
11/22/2023

This past Saturday, I had an impromptu trip to Guitar Center, which resulted in an impulse buy on a deal I couldn't resist.
I won't disclose the price I paid but I will say that this is a 2019 Paul Reed Smith "Paul's Guitar" model in Copper Flame finish with a flamed maple 10 Top. It had essentially been purchased new by someone and then kept in the case in perfect condition. It even had the original strings.
The next day, I decided to treat it to some new strings and address some other setup issues like the high action it had.
This is when I discovered that the top of every single fret was flat. Not one of them had a nice, rounded crown to it. This was not due to wear. How do I know this? I know this because there were still very apparent tooling marks from the factory leveling process and only a few shiny spots from string contact. To the credit of the PRS factory, the frets checked out as perfectly level and the neck and fretboard are arrow-straight.
But the failure to crown and polish the frets made it impossible to lower the action without serious fret buzz. So I decided to take some time this morning and make this otherwise beautifully constructed instrument worthy of its original nearly $6,000 price tag.

But seriously, Paul... Do better with your fret dressing if you're going to charge such insane prices for guitars.

Had an Epiphone LP Special come through for a replacement nut. So it now has a hand-carved bone nut. While I was at it, ...
10/15/2022

Had an Epiphone LP Special come through for a replacement nut. So it now has a hand-carved bone nut. While I was at it, I couldn't resist straightening the neck and re-dressing the frets so I could see just how low I could get the action. It's super low without even a hint of buzz and the only way I could get it to play with a lighter touch would be to scallop the fretboard.

Finally got around to really setting up my new laptop and mouse. Just a few more tools and supplies to acquire and I'll ...
05/31/2022

Finally got around to really setting up my new laptop and mouse. Just a few more tools and supplies to acquire and I'll be ready to start my first production run.

First test cut with the new bandsaw setup on a piece of scrap wood. Thickness is even to within 1/32". I'd say that's cl...
04/08/2022

First test cut with the new bandsaw setup on a piece of scrap wood. Thickness is even to within 1/32". I'd say that's close enough for punk.

Getting set up for some serious resawing so I can turn this huge billet of pale moon ebony into some bookmatched drop to...
04/07/2022

Getting set up for some serious resawing so I can turn this huge billet of pale moon ebony into some bookmatched drop tops. Depending on the total yield I will have some drop top blanks available for sale at $250 each so if anyone knows any other luthiers who might be in the market for some rare and exotic wood for their guitars, send them my way.

Hmmm... Just what manner of mischief is afoot over here? Could it possibly be a much-needed modification that will captu...
03/13/2022

Hmmm... Just what manner of mischief is afoot over here? Could it possibly be a much-needed modification that will capture the interest of other Parker Fly Mojo owners. Only one way to find out.

I've pined after this guitar for nearly 30 years and I've finally managed to get my hands on one. This has been the insp...
03/11/2022

I've pined after this guitar for nearly 30 years and I've finally managed to get my hands on one. This has been the inspiration for the way I carve neck heels as well as certain other aesthetic treatments I put into my instruments.
Now it's time to see if I can make an already perfect guitar when more perfect. The controls and switching systems have room for improvement. I'm going to see what I can do with it and you're all welcome to come along for the ride.

An awesome delivery arrived today from RML Innovations in Germany. This bridge is the next piece in the puzzle for the b...
01/27/2022

An awesome delivery arrived today from RML Innovations in Germany. This bridge is the next piece in the puzzle for the bass I've been designing.

Just in case anyone was unclear on the difference.
01/23/2022

Just in case anyone was unclear on the difference.

It took a few days of measuring, designing and redesigning to get a shape I like to go with the function I need. Then it...
01/11/2022

It took a few days of measuring, designing and redesigning to get a shape I like to go with the function I need. Then it only took about 5 minutes of screwing around with a paper printout to decide that I needed to make a real world representation of this headstock to test my measurements and tolerances. I'm pleased to say that I have a working prototype and I'm ready to move on with the project. This bass is going to be awesome.

Here's a quick look at things to come. With the current lull in activity, I'm seizing the opportunity to clean and organ...
01/10/2022

Here's a quick look at things to come. With the current lull in activity, I'm seizing the opportunity to clean and organize my workspace before I start building the 5 string multiscale bass I want... Other projects and prototypes will be coming as well.

Address

1142 Sunbury Road
Shamokin Dam, PA
17876

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(570) 847-5845

Website

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