Your story is so fascinating and amazing! So wonderful to watch this! Prince would definitely be so pleased with that new Bass you made him when he passed.
Thanks Rab, that's very kind of you. Sure, I hope to post up more videos before too long, including some concentrating on the sounds and building process. All the best, Simon.
I'm very impressed with your education; VERY impressed. I think you are way ahead of the curve, and what you are doing will become part of a future and forthcoming industry standard. Love the idea of a wood core for tone coupled with the carbon fiber skin (which protects the core instrument from temperature and humidity fluctuations; brilliant! I trust you are patented.) While you are designing for stage work primarily, maybe you will consider a student line which would be a little less vanguard in appearance and more for mass distribution. I hope you will post your progress on CZcams so we can follow your innovation(s). Thanks for taking the time to share with us; educational and fascinating.
Thank you very much! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed viewing the video and that the construction was of interest to you. I may well work on a more 'accessible' version at some point, it is definitely something I have considered...at the moment though it is only me making, so my time is largely taken up with one-off custom creations. Thanks again for your thoughts! Simon.
Thanks Niccolo, that's very kind of you! If I can help with any specific info, please don't hesitate to ask. It's good to have your interest...all the best, Simon.
Thanks Bernardo, I appreciate your comment. Yes, I will be doing more videos, including demos of the guitars and showing how they are made. All the best, Simon.
If nothing else the fret markings is bad ass. What a great idea having them high on low notes and low on high. There right where they need to be and still 2 at the 12th.
Really interesting, the guitars look super cool, would love to add one to my collection, I can well imagine the price is high for all that hand work, and there BRITISH !!!!!!
Hi Dennis, thanks for your kind comment! If you'd like more info and a price list, feel free to email me at simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com I'd be very happy to build a G1 for your collection! All the best, Simon.
What a geezer! Love the fact you made a guitar and bass for Prince; I would love to hear more abut that experience: did you speak to Prince? What did he want? How did you achieve it all? Thank a lot Tony
Thanx for the reply Simon! I bet shipping to the US is quite expensive but worth 4 those of us who purchase. It'd be cool if had prototype in our Guitar Center stores to checkout. Look forward to it if so!
Hi Lawrence. I ship my guitars using a fully insured UPS service and just charge cost...it's usually about £150 to the US. Sure, I'll make sure I post up any guitar developments on my Facebook page...facebook.com/gusguitars/ All the best, Simon.
Hi Simon, I'd love to hear what the early guitubes sounded like. Unsuitable for one guitar player is pure creative gold to someone else. Do you have any videos of them or audio samples?
Hi Chad, thanks for your interest! Unfortunately I don't have any audio or video samples of the Guitube guitars...these were all built around 1990 as experimental prototypes and I didn't make any recordings of any quality at the time. I absolutely agree that tone is a very subjective thing and that what sounds good to one person may not to another. The main reason I moved away from the Guitube construction of metal tube was that there was very little acoustic voice as there was nothing much to resonate!...which I felt would have put potential customers off!...perhaps one day I may re-visit the idea though! All the best, Simon.
For years I've been looking for Gus Guitars to turn up on youtube; finally! You ought to include a few bass demos now that you're here. Btw, Simon, the bass with the Jackson Pollack-esque splatter finish? I seem to recall putting that bug in your ear quite a few years ago...I had a kid instead though, and expensive instruments had to wait. Nice to see that idea followed through regardless. What ever happened to that bass?
Really sorry for the slow reply but thanks for your thoughts! Yes, that Jackson Pollack inspired bass was swapped for a car in the end! I enjoyed making that one, be cool to do another. Just uploaded a bass vid from iBass mag. Cheers for now, Simon.
Gus, in 1941, Henry Ford made a car out of Hemp, wood, and soy. It was stronger than steel. Hemp can be molded to any form. It may be an interesting material for guitar. Peace
Thanks for this, that's very interesting. Yes, I've used hemp myself as a reinforcement with lime in an eco-plaster before and have just recently sourced some woven hemp to try out in an eco-composite. I've switched to a plant derived epoxy and I'm very keen to explore these kinds of materials to get away from petro-chemical reliant carbon fibre and epoxy. All the best, Simon.
Hey Gus, will u be offering any bolt on's w/maple necks and fretboard soon? Also would the bolt on change the structural feel upon the carbon fibre ur using? Just was wondering if the guitar felt tight/stiff with neck thru body. Oh what type of tuners r using to keep it in tune w/tremelo bar usage? Thanx Sir!
Hi Lawrence, thanks for your query. The G1 construction isn't really like anything else out there, in that it effectively becomes one piece with the carbon fibre covering the whole surface of the guitar. The Cedar core is bonded in as part of the process, but features separate body and neck pieces. The design wouldn't really lend itself to a 'bolt on' arrangement as it is at the moment, though I am looking at ways to make a cheaper version, so will be considering a few different options. The guitar has good resonance, clarity and sustain and feels very comfortable to play. The machineheads are Gotoh 510 magnum lock on the Vibrato models...in combination with graphite nut and roller bearing bridge they offer good stability. Thanks for your interest. Simon.
Hi Iain, thanks for getting in touch! Yes Bill has a G1 MIDI that I built for him a few years ago...very pleased you saw him using it, he's such a great player isn't he!
Gus Guitars thanks for replying. I totally agree, Bill is a great, and in my opinion underrated guitarist. Do your midi equipped guitars work with Roland synthesisers? I'd love to have one, but sadly I don't think my finances ( or wife) would let me have another guitar. Oh well I can only dream!
Wow this guitar is amazing, i have to get one. I'm just not sure if i should get the G1 MIDI or the G1 vibrato, maybe i need to make a trip to the UK and try one. What is the price range or how much money do i need to save?
Thanks very much for your comment! Sure, you'd be welcome to visit the workshop and try one out. If you'd like to email me I'll send you some info and a price list - simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com All the best, Simon.
Hi Lam, Thanks for getting in touch...if you'd like to email me at simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com I'll send you more information and a price list. All the best, Simon.
Hi Mireille, Thanks for your comment. Yes, the carbon fibre is very strong and stiff for its weight, so in combination with the light-weight Cedar tone-wood core, enables me to build a lighter overall guitar. It is also very resonant and gives the guitar superb string-to-string clarity and definition, so a very helpful material! All the best, Simon.
Hi David, Thanks for getting in touch...no, the only guitar I built for Prince was the Purple Special and after he received that he ordered the Purple Special Bass, which I'll be posting a video of soon. All the best, Simon.
Hi Walter, Yes, I make the cases in-house. They are a carbon fibre construction with formed and lined interior, specifically shaped for the G1. As well as the colour-matched version for the Specials, I also offer a matt grey metallic finish for 'regular' G1s. All the best, Simon.
unique looking but as they say, day late dollar short. no more guitars virtuosos like Clapton, Page , blackmore, martin barre,tony iommi, and the rest of the 60's guitar hero's .
I Love The Purple Special!
Andre Harris right ?
This video wasn't long enough, I can listen to that guy talk for hours!
Hi! Wow, thanks for that comment! It was a fun video to make actually and if there is one thing I can talk about it is my guitars! Cheers, Simon.
yeah he has one of those ASMR voices
Thank you random guitarist. You have inspired me.
Thanks James, glad you enjoyed it! Simon.
Your story is so fascinating and amazing! So wonderful to watch this! Prince would definitely be so pleased with that new Bass you made him when he passed.
Hi Heidi, thank you! I'm so pleased you think so. Yes, it would have been wonderful to see him playing it! Simon.
Beautiful instruments my friend, I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
Thanks Rab, that's very kind of you. Sure, I hope to post up more videos before too long, including some concentrating on the sounds and building process.
All the best,
Simon.
design genius.
Wow, thanks! Appreciate that! Simon.
These guitar's are amazing, i wish to own one one day and i wish you the best of luck
Many thanks Greg, very kind of you! Feel free to get in touch if you'd like any more information at any point. All the best for now, Simon.
I'm your first subscriber!
I love your guitars Simon. One day I will own one.
ForViewingOnly Very kind, thanks! I look forward to hearing from you when you're ready. All the best, Simon.
I'm very impressed with your education; VERY impressed. I think you are way ahead of the curve, and what you are doing will become part of a future and forthcoming industry standard. Love the idea of a wood core for tone coupled with the carbon fiber skin (which protects the core instrument from temperature and humidity fluctuations; brilliant! I trust you are patented.) While you are designing for stage work primarily, maybe you will consider a student line which would be a little less vanguard in appearance and more for mass distribution. I hope you will post your progress on CZcams so we can follow your innovation(s). Thanks for taking the time to share with us; educational and fascinating.
Thank you very much! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed viewing the video and that the construction was of interest to you. I may well work on a more 'accessible' version at some point, it is definitely something I have considered...at the moment though it is only me making, so my time is largely taken up with one-off custom creations. Thanks again for your thoughts! Simon.
Gus, you are really inspiring.
Thanks Niccolo, that's very kind of you! If I can help with any specific info, please don't hesitate to ask. It's good to have your interest...all the best, Simon.
Fricken Cool 🎸 guitars brotha.... Very clever
AWEsome s = i would read or watch more from you with such info! this is great ~
Thanks I appreciate you comment! Yes, I will be adding more videos in the future.
All the best,
Simon.
This is really awesome!!! You should do more videos covering new guitars that you make and their process kinda like "How it's made" you know? Cheers!
Thanks Bernardo, I appreciate your comment.
Yes, I will be doing more videos, including demos of the guitars and showing how they are made.
All the best,
Simon.
If nothing else the fret markings is bad ass. What a great idea having them high on low notes and low on high. There right where they need to be and still 2 at the 12th.
Thanks Phlop! Yes, that was the idea with the fret markers...I also wanted something unique that hadn't been done before. All the best, Simon.
design for half century later.... gorgeous.
Really interesting, the guitars look super cool, would love to add one to my collection, I can well imagine the price is high for all that hand work, and there BRITISH !!!!!!
Hi Dennis, thanks for your kind comment! If you'd like more info and a price list, feel free to email me at simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com I'd be very happy to build a G1 for your collection! All the best, Simon.
What a geezer! Love the fact you made a guitar and bass for Prince; I would love to hear more abut that experience: did you speak to Prince? What did he want? How did you achieve it all?
Thank a lot
Tony
Thanx for the reply Simon! I bet shipping to the US is quite expensive but worth 4 those of us who purchase. It'd be cool if had prototype in our Guitar Center stores to checkout. Look forward to it if so!
Hi Lawrence. I ship my guitars using a fully insured UPS service and just charge cost...it's usually about £150 to the US. Sure, I'll make sure I post up any guitar developments on my Facebook page...facebook.com/gusguitars/
All the best, Simon.
Wow
Hi Simon, I'd love to hear what the early guitubes sounded like. Unsuitable for one guitar player is pure creative gold to someone else. Do you have any videos of them or audio samples?
Hi Chad, thanks for your interest! Unfortunately I don't have any audio or video samples of the Guitube guitars...these were all built around 1990 as experimental prototypes and I didn't make any recordings of any quality at the time. I absolutely agree that tone is a very subjective thing and that what sounds good to one person may not to another. The main reason I moved away from the Guitube construction of metal tube was that there was very little acoustic voice as there was nothing much to resonate!...which I felt would have put potential customers off!...perhaps one day I may re-visit the idea though! All the best, Simon.
For years I've been looking for Gus Guitars to turn up on youtube; finally! You ought to include a few bass demos now that you're here. Btw, Simon, the bass with the Jackson Pollack-esque splatter finish? I seem to recall putting that bug in your ear quite a few years ago...I had a kid instead though, and expensive instruments had to wait. Nice to see that idea followed through regardless. What ever happened to that bass?
Really sorry for the slow reply but thanks for your thoughts! Yes, that Jackson Pollack inspired bass was swapped for a car in the end! I enjoyed making that one, be cool to do another. Just uploaded a bass vid from iBass mag. Cheers for now, Simon.
They look very interesting ! Beautiful instruments imho . But the one Big question is Will It Shredd ??????
Hi Aaron...of course! I hope to have a video demonstrating this soon! All the best, Simon.
Gus, in 1941, Henry Ford made a car out of Hemp, wood, and soy. It was stronger than steel. Hemp can be molded to any form. It may be an interesting material for guitar. Peace
Thanks for this, that's very interesting. Yes, I've used hemp myself as a reinforcement with lime in an eco-plaster before and have just recently sourced some woven hemp to try out in an eco-composite. I've switched to a plant derived epoxy and I'm very keen to explore these kinds of materials to get away from petro-chemical reliant carbon fibre and epoxy. All the best, Simon.
Damn, they look nice. I want one :3
Thanks! If you'd like any more info feel free to email me - simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com
Hey Gus, will u be offering any bolt on's w/maple necks and fretboard soon? Also would the bolt on change the structural feel upon the carbon fibre ur using? Just was wondering if the guitar felt tight/stiff with neck thru body. Oh what type of tuners r using to keep it in tune w/tremelo bar usage? Thanx Sir!
Hi Lawrence, thanks for your query.
The G1 construction isn't really like anything else out there, in that it effectively becomes one piece with the carbon fibre covering the whole surface of the guitar. The Cedar core is bonded in as part of the process, but features separate body and neck pieces. The design wouldn't really lend itself to a 'bolt on' arrangement as it is at the moment, though I am looking at ways to make a cheaper version, so will be considering a few different options. The guitar has good resonance, clarity and sustain and feels very comfortable to play.
The machineheads are Gotoh 510 magnum lock on the Vibrato models...in combination with graphite nut and roller bearing bridge they offer good stability.
Thanks for your interest.
Simon.
I'm sure when I last saw Bill Nelson he was playing one of your guitars? Very nice.
Hi Iain, thanks for getting in touch! Yes Bill has a G1 MIDI that I built for him a few years ago...very pleased you saw him using it, he's such a great player isn't he!
Gus Guitars thanks for replying. I totally agree, Bill is a great, and in my opinion underrated guitarist. Do your midi equipped guitars work with Roland synthesisers? I'd love to have one, but sadly I don't think my finances ( or wife) would let me have another guitar. Oh well I can only dream!
Wow this guitar is amazing, i have to get one.
I'm just not sure if i should get the G1 MIDI or the G1 vibrato, maybe i need to make a trip to the UK and try one.
What is the price range or how much money do i need to save?
Thanks very much for your comment! Sure, you'd be welcome to visit the workshop and try one out. If you'd like to email me I'll send you some info and a price list - simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com
All the best,
Simon.
i would love to hear what prince would of done with it nice guitar apart from the headstock
Thanks Barry, yes I would obviously have loved to see Prince playing it, though I'm just grateful in the end that he received it and liked it.
did they send a video of him using it or is there a video
Hi Barry, no there's no video of Prince playing the Purple Special, unfortunately, just the images taken at the final after dark party he attended.
dam what a bummer
Im wondering about the price range of the guitar? I would to have one but am limited with money :'(
Hi Lam,
Thanks for getting in touch...if you'd like to email me at simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com I'll send you more information and a price list.
All the best,
Simon.
Does the fact that part of the material is carbon make it lighter ?
Hi Mireille,
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the carbon fibre is very strong and stiff for its weight, so in combination with the light-weight Cedar tone-wood core, enables me to build a lighter overall guitar. It is also very resonant and gives the guitar superb string-to-string clarity and definition, so a very helpful material!
All the best,
Simon.
Gus, there's a video of Prince on the George Lopez show, and he gives Lopez one of his yellow guitars. Is that one of yours?
Hi David,
Thanks for getting in touch...no, the only guitar I built for Prince was the Purple Special and after he received that he ordered the Purple Special Bass, which I'll be posting a video of soon. All the best, Simon.
Do you make the cases for them as well?
Hi Walter,
Yes, I make the cases in-house. They are a carbon fibre construction with formed and lined interior, specifically shaped for the G1. As well as the colour-matched version for the Specials, I also offer a matt grey metallic finish for 'regular' G1s.
All the best,
Simon.
I want to buy this guitar. Any info on how to purchase it ?
Hi David. I'd be very happy to build you a G1, feel free to email me simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com All the best Simon.
Gus Guitars cool I'll keep you email. Thanks for the reply
So what's the price range of these guitars?
Hi Greg, thanks for getting in touch...if you email me simon(at)gusguitars(dot)com, I'll send you some info and a price list. All the best, Simon.
unique looking but as they say, day late dollar short. no more guitars virtuosos like Clapton, Page , blackmore, martin barre,tony iommi, and the rest of the 60's guitar hero's .
But does it djent? j.k.
Hi Aitor,
Sorry for the slow reply...guitarists use my instruments for all kinds of musical styles, so I would hope so yes!