W.B. Jones Performs for Custom Guitar Project
As a specialist in the manufacture of a wide variety of springs, W.B. Jones is often approached to develop custom springs for unique applications. An interesting example of this type of project is a very special custom guitar that we played a part in creating.
A well-known guitar manufacturer was commissioned to create an unusually large guitar, which would serve as a stage prop for an upcoming country music industry awards production. The 10X scale prop was to be an exact, working replica of a normal-sized guitar. Known for our experience and expertise in the production of music wire and custom springs, the guitar manufacturer contacted W.B. Jones to develop the guitar strings needed for the over-sized instrument.
Guitar strings consist of a core wire as the foundation of the string. On higher strings (B & E), the core wire serves as the actual string. For the creation of the lower strings (E, A, D, G), a thinner wrap wire is wound around the core wire to create the desired tone and durability. While W.B. Jones has extensive experience in creation of music wire and guitar strings, the size required for the wire spring-wrapped lower strings on this particular guitar presented a challenge.
Without having equipment currently set-up to coil the springs to the necessary specifications, the W.B. Jones team had to do what they do best -think beyond conventional methods to develop a solution. Ultimately it was the creative adaption of 1930’s era lathe that provides the means for creating the custom strings. The strings were well-received, and contributed greatly to the authenticity of the finished product.
While the prop guitar was by no means a typical project for W.B. Jones, the job is a great example of how our knowledge and experience in custom spring development can meet any challenge.