Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Nolly on March 08, 2009, 11:19:56 AM
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Hi all,
Yesterday I managed to fulfil a dream of mine and become the owner of a guitar built by Nathan Sheppard. The story is that soon after I started playing, I had lessons with Ben Bartlett, at the time a journo for the Future publishing mags, and pretty early on he received an electro nylon string made by Nathan, a local up and coming luthier. I was blown away by the workmanship and the amazing woods used, and I remember thinking that when I had the money (I was just a 15-year old with no job back then), I would have one of Nathan's guitars. Since then I've only heard the name Nathan Sheppard crop up once or twice, in a glowing review in Guitarist, and very rarely on the odd forum, and I found out not long ago that he'd gone out of business.
Fast forward to a couple of days ago, Pete and I decided to take a trip to Exeter to visit an old buddy and have a look around Mansons and some other music shops around there. Right near the end of our time in Mansons I caught sight of a pre-owned Nathan Sheppard hanging up on the wall, and had to check it out. Time was short and I didn't play it, but the price was very reasonable, and it stuck in my head all the way home. Yesterday I decided that it's an opportunity I couldn't miss out on, since they're extremely rare, and with Nathan out of business, it may literally be a once in a lifetime chance. With the offer of an advance on the money from my awesome mum, I rang up Mansons, and got them to hold it while I drove back to Exeter.
Upon playing it, I was actually a little bit underwhelmed by the set up, but the guy I was dealing with was extremely helpful, and gave the guitar a full set up, including cutting the nut slots right down as I like them, as well as slapping some new D'addario 9-46s on, setting the neck as straight as possible (again, my preference), and intonating it. After he'd done that, the guitar felt brand new, and I had no excuse not to buy it.
As another aside, it turns out the guitar was being sold on behalf of an employee of a certain Bare Knuckle pickups, which I think it pretty neat.
Anyway, some (many) pics:
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0691.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0706.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0699.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0696.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0700.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0702.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0704.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0698.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/HPIM0703.jpg)
So from what I can tell, the wood selection is the tried and tested mahogany with a maple cap, set maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. The flame on the top is absolutely stunning, it's very deep, and I love the orangey-red stain. The mahogany body is one-piece, and the neck features heavy birdseye on the sides, with deep flame in the center portion. The looks won't be to everyone's taste, but I think it's amazingly beautiful. The frets are vintage-style, which is not my usual preference, but with such a low and slinky action it plays incredibly, likewise the neck is a like that of a good Tele, with a deep C profile, yet it's still very shreddable.
This guitar features some extremely special Bare Knuckles - the Knuckleduster set, made pretty much exclusively for Nathan's guitars. From what I can tell they're essentially a set of Tele pickups made into humbuckers, and can be split individually by pulling up each of the volume knobs. In split mode they're nothing like conventional humbucker split tones, they actually sound exactly like the woody and sparkly tele I've always wished I've had, yet when in humbucking mode, they're incredibly creamy and smooth - pure Andy Timmons.
The natural sustain of this thing is ridiculous, it just keeps ringing on and on, with such a musical clear fundamental behind every note. I'm in love.
Anyway, sorry for the essay and masses of pics, hope people find this interesting.
Nolly
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Wow!!!!! That is absolutely beautiful.. concragts to you for achieving that dream.... what a dream. Fantastic stuff.
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Nice find! I don't remember it being in Mansons though....
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Great story - enjoy the guitar!
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When I saw the name Nathan Sheppard at the top of the post, it sounded familiar but I couldn't remember the guitars - then I scrolled down and it all came back! I think reading reviews of his guitars may have been the first time I heard of Bare Knuckle pickups. It was certainly the first time I saw those groovy Gotoh tuners.
I didn't realise he'd gone out of business, that's a pity.
Looks a lovely guitar, and great pictures too! :D
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Nice find! I don't remember it being in Mansons though....
It was next to the till, by the PRS's.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing what this is like, awesome :)
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Nice find! I don't remember it being in Mansons though....
It was next to the till, by the PRS's.
I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing what this is like, awesome :)
I remember now! You'd never think the repair chap won guitarist of the year. :lol:
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i love these things... as for that nylon strung one you remember - well i think someone around here may own that exact one!!
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Very nice and great story.
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Thanks everyone, I haven't put it down since I woke up today. It's definitely going to be my fusion guitar, I've been jamming over Greg Howe and Guthrie tracks and it sounds so damn good!
Wez: That's awesome, do you know who has it? Found this pic/article on it, presumably written by Ben:
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SYnamv17NCI/AAAAAAAACp4/6XG7Ri6weKc/s800/news_guitarist232.jpg)
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That's a very classy looking guitar - and I love the idea of those pickups... :D
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Beautiful guitar.Looks like its been poured rather then carved.Congrats.
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A bit of searching around on here dug up some info Tim gave on the pickups:
What we did for Nathan Sheppard was in effect combine two sets of Tele pickups together to form an extremely versatile humbucker set.
One pair of pickups was stock polarity and wind , the other RWRP, so when wired in series each pair is a true humbucker, when split you get real single coils.
The Guitarist verdict was the guitar was worth buying for the pickups alone and the first time anyone had convincingly got the tone of both a LP and a Tele from one instrument.
The bridge unit is angled like a Tele bridge so requires a considerable route whereas the neck is more akin to a mini humbucker, a touch bigger maybe.
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I wouldn't say they're PAFish, there's too much power on tap for a real PAF but it is a huge humbucking tone and genuine Tele all rolled into one.
As for inclusion into our range, I not sure because they are very specialist and would need custom routing to be fitted.
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A bit of searching around on here dug up some info Tim gave on the pickups:
What we did for Nathan Sheppard was in effect combine two sets of Tele pickups together to form an extremely versatile humbucker set.
One pair of pickups was stock polarity and wind , the other RWRP, so when wired in series each pair is a true humbucker, when split you get real single coils.
The Guitarist verdict was the guitar was worth buying for the pickups alone and the first time anyone had convincingly got the tone of both a LP and a Tele from one instrument.
The bridge unit is angled like a Tele bridge so requires a considerable route whereas the neck is more akin to a mini humbucker, a touch bigger maybe.
...
I wouldn't say they're PAFish, there's too much power on tap for a real PAF but it is a huge humbucking tone and genuine Tele all rolled into one.
As for inclusion into our range, I not sure because they are very specialist and would need custom routing to be fitted.
Wez - these are the pickups you should have talked Roo into :lol:
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Nolly
We have nearly exactly the same tastes in guitars. The only diff is I have far less money than you lol. Nathan Sheppard is a truely great builder with some original ideas.
Martin
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Nolly
We have nearly exactly the same tastes in guitars. The only diff is I have far less money than you lol.
I don't know, I can see another difference - your avatar is better looking :lol:
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damn it, cant find the pictures i was sent but it was a similar one. cant remember if the top had that much streaking but it definately had a similar figure.
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This seems extremely well built with some outstanding woods and parts, I bet it play like a dream, but man I don't like the look of it :(
I'm more a traditional guy on guitar designs :?
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Beautiful guitar - really lovely timbers on it too
Sorry to hear that Nathan is no longer making
I know that he like many other small makers (myself included) had a hard time of it and always got by on a wing and a prayer
I know that I have always been glad I run a repair and upgrade workshop alongside the custom work
I'm sure many others do likewise as it certainly brings work in
You've got a nice growing collection of UK made stuff there Nolly
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That's a stunning guitar - I'm officially jealous! :)
It's a real shame Nathan is no longer in business. I met him at his stand at the London Guitar Show a few years back (the last year they allowed selling). I was blown away buy the guitars and he was a friendly, engaging guy who was happy to chat for quite a while, despite the fact there I couldn't afford (at the time) to buy any of his guitars.
Funnily enough, it was seeing one of his guitars with a koa top on it that later inspired my Warmoth Soloist. It's a real shame he's no longer building - i'd have loved to have one of these guitars, in particular.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q50/sld5150/Sheppard.jpg)
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Thanks to everyone! And Fernando, I know it isn't going to be to everyone's taste, but to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Nolly
We have nearly exactly the same tastes in guitars. The only diff is I have far less money than you lol. Nathan Sheppard is a truely great builder with some original ideas.
Martin
Martin, I wish I could afford this stuff outright, but like I said, I could only get this via an advance from the mother, and now I really need to sell my G-system and Elmwood to pay it off and afford the Axe-FX I'm getting soon!
damn it, cant find the pictures i was sent but it was a similar one. cant remember if the top had that much streaking but it definately had a similar figure.
Well, no worries, but if you do find it at some point, I'd be interested to see!
Beautiful guitar - really lovely timbers on it too
Sorry to hear that Nathan is no longer making
I know that he like many other small makers (myself included) had a hard time of it and always got by on a wing and a prayer
I know that I have always been glad I run a repair and upgrade workshop alongside the custom work
I'm sure many others do likewise as it certainly brings work in
You've got a nice growing collection of UK made stuff there Nolly
Well, I seem to remember Dougie mentioning that Nathan may do some ghost building for Sims, but I may be wrong on that. It is a shame that he's no longer promoting his own guitars though, perhaps if someone approached him he'd build them one. I love this guitar, but I'd also love to own one of his more exotic wood guitars, like the awesome burls he's used etc..
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Thanks to everyone! And Fernando, I know it isn't going to be to everyone's taste, but to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.
In the end what matter is if you like it and if works for you... :D
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All in all it looks like a wonderful guitar, I like it's not run of the mill looks. Congrats!
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awesome guitar, looks amazing :)
i hadn't realised that he'd gone out of business either, that's a shame. :(
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Wez: That's awesome, do you know who has it? Found this pic/article on it, presumably written by Ben:
It's currently hanging on my wall! It was a one-off, which Nathan had a load of publicity material done for. I think it got a review in Guitarist as well. I've got all the stuff somewhere.
:D
TBH, I don't play it a huge amount though, which is probably a criminal waste.
I didn't realise that Nathan had stopped his business ... is anyone sure that's the case? I swapped emails with him a few weeks back, and he didn't mention anything. It would be a shame if he's gone, because his workmanship really is excellent, and he managed to source some excellent materials. I'll post pics sometime, but won't hijack your thread! Congrats on your acquisition and may you enjoy it for many, many years.
[edit]
This is another of the publicity shots done for the guitar:
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SYnan7OyukI/AAAAAAAACqA/_YCbYhYcJvA/s800/NSG2.jpg)
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Great buy there.Superb workmanship judging by the pictures.
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this guitar looks amazing, i“m a big fan of non traditional designs!!!
its really a shame to read that nathan stopped his business...his guitars (also GuiTony“s) are are absolute my taste!!!!
i would order as soon as i have saved up some money...
so, congratulations for that great guitar, i“m sure you will enjoy it your life long!!!
exoslime
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There is a Nathan Shep guitar on eBay at the moment....
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It's currently hanging on my wall! It was a one-off, which Nathan had a load of publicity material done for. I think it got a review in Guitarist as well. I've got all the stuff somewhere.
:D
TBH, I don't play it a huge amount though, which is probably a criminal waste.
I didn't realise that Nathan had stopped his business ... is anyone sure that's the case? I swapped emails with him a few weeks back, and he didn't mention anything. It would be a shame if he's gone, because his workmanship really is excellent, and he managed to source some excellent materials. I'll post pics sometime, but won't hijack your thread! Congrats on your acquisition and may you enjoy it for many, many years.
Well, that bodes well, perhaps I only heard rumours and he is actually still building. I'd be extremely happy if he was!
Good to see that guitar again, it was a fantastic piece, though as I think you're alluding to, it doesn't have many uses if you're not an avid nylon-string player.
There is a Nathan Shep guitar on eBay at the moment....
That guy could really do with taking some better pics. I think whoever ends up winning that could get an absolute bargain.
Again, thanks to everyone!
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There is a Nathan Shep guitar on eBay at the moment....
This one looks cool... might be the more normal pickup positions...
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Found a pic of another Shep, I think it's absolutely beautiful. That grain on the body is incredible, and the two-tone fretboard is wicked:
(http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL413/8228026/15380566/264862051.jpg)
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Wow!Beautiful guitar,Nolly!The woods (timbers?) are incredible!And the BKP's seem to be very interesting..+1
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Meh. Its ok. Ya bar-steward.
Its gorgeous! Love it. Very sexy.
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Thank you Mr Viking and Mr MDV
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Found a pic of another Shep, I think it's absolutely beautiful.
This was the first NSG that I bought (at LGS a couple of years ago) ...
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SNaFUrmlmVI/AAAAAAAABp0/eI2fCNHJUos/s800/IMG_2002.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SNaF7dex7MI/AAAAAAAABrk/rVsp7GTB1Yg/s800/IMG_2015.JPG)
:P
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Sheesh - these things are gorgeous lumps of wood, absolute stunners...
:D
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What is the two-tone freboard made of, does anyone know?
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:o Speechless
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This was the first NSG that I bought (at LGS a couple of years ago) ...
I think the singlecut with P-90s looks even better than the Knuckleduster pickups.
How's it wired? 3-way plus a push-pull to add the middle pickup?
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Found a pic of another Shep, I think it's absolutely beautiful.
This was the first NSG that I bought (at LGS a couple of years ago) ...
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SNaFUrmlmVI/AAAAAAAABp0/eI2fCNHJUos/s800/IMG_2002.JPG)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QYdDO5-bV1Y/SNaF7dex7MI/AAAAAAAABrk/rVsp7GTB1Yg/s800/IMG_2015.JPG)
:P
Wow, that's stunning! You sound like you may have owned more than the two you've mentioned so far?
What is the two-tone freboard made of, does anyone know?
It's cocobolo I believe.
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certainly looks like cocobolo from what we can see - quite red in the darker sections and a very clear distinction between the two colours
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Wow, that's stunning! You sound like you may have owned more than the two you've mentioned so far?
I do have one more ... but it's not in the same class in terms of its looks. However, it is production # 0001, which was my main reason for buying it - just in case Nathan ever did "make it".
What is the two-tone freboard made of, does anyone know?
It's cocobolo I believe.
I believe you're right! Good spot.
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Wow, that's stunning! You sound like you may have owned more than the two you've mentioned so far?
I do have one more ... but it's not in the same class in terms of its looks. However, it is production # 0001, which was my main reason for buying it - just in case Nathan ever did "make it".
Well, I think that's deserving of a pic, no? ;)
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That's a gorgeous guitar you have there Nolly. It's a great shame he is not making them anymore. I remember seeing them at the LGS a few years back. They had one which had been set alight which was a mad looking thing. The grain on your one is lovely. Keep it for ever!! 8)
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wow, those 2 on this page with the p90s look amazing too. :D
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This thread absolutely $%&#ing delivers.
Shame about losing the Elmwood Nolly, but great news on the Axe FX that's coming. That NS is absolutely incredible man. One of these day's I'm gunna have to hop over for a jam.
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Funny had not heard anythingof nathan shepard for a long while then you get your guitar and this one pops up on ebay :-
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NATHAN-SHEPPARD-NSG25-W-BARE-KNUCKLE-SOAPBARS-SUPREME_W0QQitemZ150330917189QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item150330917189&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
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That eBay one has the strange "3+3 in a straight line" headstock. I'm not sure if I like the look, but it always makes me smile because it's so clever and original. :D
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EDIT: Bugger it, nevermind.
They're some real nice guitars.
I was thinking the same thing about the headstock, it's nice to see something new for a change.
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Here is my Nsg 25 :D
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phwoooorrr
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Here is my Nsg 25 :D
aaaaaa, awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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What top is on that? Was it burnt???? Looks cool!
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Looks like carpathia, or elm of some sort. Could be species of burl.
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It's awesome!
Could be species of burl.
Burl isn't a type of tree but a type of deformed growth, but yeah, it does look like a burl of something.
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Not really a fan of the shiny finish, gold bits or general body shape but I bet its a nice guitar to play and it must sound great :) Congrats.
edit - Frank_C, that one looks great :) Get rid of the singlecoil and it'd be very cool.
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Yeah it was set on fire,
and there isn't actually a single coil its just a cover put in there because it had one in there but when nathan stripped it off i couldn't afford to put one back in :(
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Yeah it was set on fire
Awesome! Burl maple?
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Cool to see another Shep owner come out of the woodwork! Wonder if there's any others on here.
Also, got a better pic of the headstock:
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh76/Nollythegreat/Guitar%20stuff/Nathan%20Sheppard/familypics-1.jpg)
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it's kinda like a short, fat telecaster headstock. i liked the older NSG head, but this one is, i think, better.
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yeah it is a maple cap!
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it's kinda like a short, fat telecaster headstock. i liked the older NSG head, but this one is, i think, better.
I preferred his original headstock - it was different (unique) and distinctive. But it was also a little impractical because it added so much length to the guitar - mine won't fit in some standard cases.
He changed the design because of feedback from some of the reviewers/magazines. The guitaring world is so conservative!
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I also loved his original headstock design.
All the strings were pull straight back over the nut. The Machine heads were all in line on a diagonal and yet they were three a side.
I think he should have said Rollox to the Guitar Mags
Martin
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I like the headstock on mine, I feel it matches up with the more PRS-y vibe of this particular guitar.
I think on his more natural looking instruments, the old style headstock fitted the rawer aesthetics.
Either way, it's win/win in my books.
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I would really like to have owned the one he used to make that looked like it survived a Nuclear War. Had Nail Bombs on it I believe. Made to a high standard and then distressed with subtle things like a blow torch.
(Sigh) So many cool guitars in the world, so little money.
I would like a top of the range Parker Fly and a.... and a... :D
Martin
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What confuses me is ...
The comments on this thread have been completely positive - from both viewers and owners of Nathan's guitars. The design, the materials, the workmanship, the appearance and (I believe) the sound and playability of the instruments - all comments have been positive, pretty much without reservation.
So why is the man not maxed-out with orders? Why do we think that he's withdrawn from the business? For what you get, the prices are hardly OTT. His guitars are expensive in pure £ terms, but not really expensive when compared against other boutique manufacturers when you consider what you get.
:?
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I could be wrong.
However from what I know, if you produce original instruments that are in demand. You have to deal with a constant flood of emails and people pestering you for their dream instrument, deals and all sorts. Sometimes creative skilled people decide, sod it I really don't need the aggro any more.
I don't think he had a problem shifting instruments. A particular one of his models was always top of my list instead of a Gibson or PRS so I am very sad to see him stop.
Martin
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Word. Good luthiers get a reputation (like NS did) and get hammered with emails. And demanding and fussy buggers like me (if youre readng, bob, I do apoligise!); the work builds up, the real-world pay rate (not just money per instrument, consider the time when each new guitar is a new design) goes down and I can easily see how it ceases to look appealing anymore.
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It's an interesting one, and I'm sure Martin(Gooby)'s answer is very relevant.
It is difficult, because for the amount of profit you need to make to live a comfortably, raise a family etc, you'd need to be making guitars very quickly - something which simply isn't possible with genuine handmade custom instruments.
There is still a chance that I had it wrong, and that he is still building and selling guitars. I hope that is the case, because his instruments are unique and forward-thinking - a rare thing among the plethora of strictly traditionalist builders/companies that have a stranglehold around the "boutique" market.
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It is difficult, because for the amount of profit you need to make to live a comfortably, raise a family etc, you'd need to be making guitars very quickly - something which simply isn't possible with genuine handmade custom instruments.
I think that's probably the key point - profit margins are relatively small, so you need to shift big numbers to make enough total profit to (a) cover your costs and (b) live on what's left.
For a small builder, there may just not be enough hours in the day... unless you think you can justify taking on more staff, bigger premises, more equipment. Which adds a whole load of extra risks.
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he is still doing it but as a hobby and not as a full time occupation, and he has just started another batch of 10 but he will only be working on them on saturdays so they wont be done until later on in the year!
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It is difficult, because for the amount of profit you need to make to live a comfortably, raise a family etc, you'd need to be making guitars very quickly - something which simply isn't possible with genuine handmade custom instruments.
I think that's probably the key point - profit margins are relatively small, so you need to shift big numbers to make enough total profit to (a) cover your costs and (b) live on what's left.
For a small builder, there may just not be enough hours in the day... unless you think you can justify taking on more staff, bigger premises, more equipment. Which adds a whole load of extra risks.
Exactly, glad you agree.
The guys at this level that are making a living through it seem to either run a repair/mod workshop to keep things ticking over (something that a single builder can't realistically run alongside building and do both effectively enough to build the kind of reputation they need), or live like monks.
he is still doing it but as a hobby and not as a full time occupation, and he has just started another batch of 10 but he will only be working on them on saturdays so they wont be done until later on in the year!
That is reassuring to hear, though it is a shame he doesn't have a functioning website etc, if only to serve as a vessel for a gallery of his work.
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www.nsguitars.co.uk
this is his website,
although it hasnt been updated for a while i dont think.
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Holy cr@p, how have I missed that site for the last 2 years?!
Additional holy cr@p: My guitar is on there. Apparently it has Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and neck laminates!
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ah yes, i remember seeing the harp guitar some months back
trying to make a living from it severly limits the type of work you can do and still eat at the end of the month... anything experimental or much different and you would have to charge silly money. the amount of hours that go into a new shape or something a bit different soon add up
this is why i am teetering on the edge as far as pushing it further goes. atm i am quite happy with a full time job and the chance to make some damn nice and different guitars on the side. not sure if full time guitar building is viable untill i can ask £5k+ a guitar ;) - well off that yet
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Word. Good luthiers get a reputation (like NS did) and get hammered with emails. And demanding and fussy buggers like me (if youre readng, bob, I do apoligise!);
haha, +1 :oops:
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Holy cr@p, how have I missed that site for the last 2 years?!
Additional holy cr@p: My guitar is on there. Apparently it has Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and neck laminates!
Fun fact of the day: brazillian rosewood isnt rosewood!.
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www.nsguitars.co.uk
this is his website,
although it hasnt been updated for a while i dont think.
And I think this must be the old website, but none of the links work:
http://www.exoticguitarwoods.co.uk/ (http://www.exoticguitarwoods.co.uk/)
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Fun fact of the day: brazillian rosewood isnt rosewood!.
Are you sure of that?
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Holy cr@p, how have I missed that site for the last 2 years?!
Additional holy cr@p: My guitar is on there. Apparently it has Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and neck laminates!
Fun fact of the day: brazillian rosewood isnt rosewood!.
:?
Dalbergia Nigra isn't rosewood????
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gonna say, its a dalbergia - so its a rosewood
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Hi Everyone, Nathan Sheppard here. I heard about this thread so I thought Id log in and let you all know whats going on.
First of ll I havnt gone out of business, Im not sure where that came from but Its a rumour that comes up about once every other year about every luthier I know! Although there have been some changes and some forced events that have meant me going a bit quiet recently.
Basically, I had a little girl last year and my priorities changed and I decided it was more important to put food on the table and have the bills paid rather than doing what I love the most. So, I have gone back into the building trade and am building guitars around that. Its working out Saturdays and the odd day or week here and there between jobs.
Im also not taking orders anymore and just making what I want and then putting them up for sale. Although, these instruments are available for pre order when the specs are published on what will be (when its finished) my new website. Im currently finishing off a few electrics left over from a large production batch I started 2 years ago along with specing up a new batch of 10 guitars that will be this years batch along with working on a few acoustics and some weird stuff.
Prices have also changed, and Im putting them down! This is so made stock turns around quicker and keeps the cash flow going and the profits arnt as important any more as my other job pays for all the bills and that kind of stuff. If anyone is interested the old batch that Im finishing off are available from £1000 and the new batch Im specing out should be availbale by the end of the year and are priced from £1250.
You may have noticed my www.nathansheppardguitars.com web site and email have gone. This is because I let it lapsed and someone else bought it the next day before i realised. So I lost my email and website that I have spent 6 years and about £40k promoting and I now have www.nsguitars.com and info@nsguitars.com if anyone is trying to get hold of me. The new site isnt finished yet and hasnt been updated for ages but Im on the case to get it all sorted in the next month or so.
Well, I think that about covers it and if anyone has any questions please feel free to ask.
Cheers,
Nathan.
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i always liked your stuff and am glad to know the world will get more NSG's
congrats on the baby!
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Superb!
Please keep us up to date! Your instruments are really special.
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Prices have also changed, and Im putting them down! This is so made stock turns around quicker and keeps the cash flow going and the profits arnt as important any more as my other job pays for all the bills and that kind of stuff. If anyone is interested the old batch that Im finishing off are available from £1000 and the new batch Im specing out should be availbale by the end of the year and are priced from £1250.
Statements like that could get me in some serious trouble with the wife!! (although actually, she's an artist and really likes the look of your guitars, Hmmm............)
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that's great news, thanks for letting us know :)
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Awesome news Nathan, some day I'd love to come and visit if you do that kind of thing.
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First of ll I havnt gone out of business
Good to hear Nathan :)
And I hope you get plenty of "time between jobs" to focus on guitar building - the world needs more NSGs more than it needs more walls, garages or anything else that you might do in the day job!
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That's really good news Nathan :D
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It would be good to see you as a regular contributor to the forum along with our other resident luthiers (if you're into wasting your time on forums, of course! :lol: ).
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that may be the problem philly, full time jobs, new babies and a need to make guitars do get in the way of other stuff!!
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gonna say, its a dalbergia - so its a rosewood
And now I cant bloody well find where I read that!
Anyway, probably wrong. Matter not anyway....a rosewood by any other name is still as stiff and warm sounding. Or something like that. I sit corrected.
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I think you probably got it confused with Bubinga.
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Nope. Was definately brazillian rosewood.
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AAAAAAH! It was SANTOS rosewood.
Stupid memory, making me lie to people :(
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AAAAAAH! It was SANTOS rosewood.
Stupid memory, making me lie to people :(
Also known as Pau Ferro :)
And it's not rosewood, in deed
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AAAAAAH! It was SANTOS rosewood.
Stupid memory, making me lie to people :(
yeah, that aint to stinkin rosewood
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I could be wrong.
However from what I know, if you produce original instruments that are in demand. You have to deal with a constant flood of emails and people pestering you for their dream instrument, deals and all sorts. Sometimes creative skilled people decide, sod it I really don't need the aggro any more.
Martin
You are soooo right, I really could do with a secretary but where do you find one that knows how to make guitars! :?
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You are soooo right, I really could do with a secretary but where do you find one that knows how to make guitars! :?
First of all, a secretary SHALL be at least 8 on 10 Beauty Scale :lol:
Then we go to the guitar knowledge... pretty much a FAQ and answers would help, but she would have to be a guitar player and minimal building knowledge at least to understand... If she can understand a table with woods AND graduation of figuring, other table for kind of construction (set, bolt, neck thru, etc) AND shape, probably could help on emails, but that all custom guitars (custom shape, woods, kind of build) would have to be answered by you, still...
If you ever find a girl like this, tell her I want her phone number :lol:
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Amazing-Nathan-Sheppard-NSG-25-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ110373221127QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item110373221127&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Amazing-Nathan-Sheppard-NSG-25-Electric-Guitar_W0QQitemZ110372971675QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item110372971675&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Noticed on one of my Ebay browses... The £850 one looks like a bargain.
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Noticed on one of my Ebay browses... The £850 one looks like a bargain.
Bling-free for an NSG, but as the workmanship and quality of materials would probably be of the same order ... so £850 (or "make me an offer") would be a very good price - IMHO.
I have an eBay search set-up for NSGs ... just in case :)