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About BJ's Custom Guitars
Based in south Manchester, BJ's Custom Guitars have been building and refurbishing electric guitars and basses since February 2022.
If you have an old guitar that needs some new life breathing into it, we offer a fully bespoke Revival/Refinishing service.
We also offer a range of built-to-order electric guitars and basses, with a massive variety of customisable options.
If you're looking for a beautiful guitar that stands out from the crowd without breaking the bank then check out our services for more information.
Meet The Team at BJ's Custom Guitars
Just one person... You call that a team?
Yes. Yes I do.
BJ Levy
Gentleman / Lover / Luthier
Guitar Collection & Delivery
If your guitar is being Revived, Refinished or Reshaped by us, then first it needs to get to our workshop.
If you're based in Greater Manchester then the easiest way to get your guitar to and/or from us is in person. We'd love to say "Hi".
Alternatively, we would ask that you arrange delivery to us via courier.
We will arrange for the return delivery once the desired work is complete.
Please make sure you've spoken with us before you arrange a courier!
Step by step courier delivery process:
1. Get in touch to discuss the work you would like carrying out.
2. Once the work has been agreed, you have signed off on the design and the deposit has been paid (if applicable), we will confirm a suitable date for your guitar to be delivered into our workshop.
3. Pack your guitar in a hard case or a triangular shipping box, which can be purchased from most large instrument shops.
Click here to see instructions for best practise when packing a guitar for shipping.
4. Book the courier for the agreed date.
5. We'll let you know as soon as your guitar has been received.
6. Required work will be carried out.
7. Final invoice will be sent, along with photographs of the finished guitar.
8. Once payment has been received we will confirm a suitable delivery date with you, re-package your completed guitar and arrange the return delivery.
New build guitars will be shipped in a hard case, the price of which is included in the sale price of the guitar.
Please note that we can only ship to mainland UK addresses.
Lead Times
Usual lead time for a Revival / Refinish / New Build is up to 4 weeks.
Usual lead time for a Reshape is between 4 weeks and 6 weeks.
Please note:
As it's only me (and due to the time that it takes for the oil wood finish to cure), commissioned guitars can sometimes take up to 8 weeks to complete.
A more specific lead time will be confirmed as part of the initial consultation.
Deposit
As a small business we are unable to hold large quantities of stock. We would require you to pay a deposit in order to cover the purchase of raw materials and parts for the following services:
Revive - £150
Refinish - £150
Reshape - £150
New Build - £250
This will be payable once the work has been fully agreed and you have signed off the design.
The final balance will be due prior to delivery of your completed guitar.
Please note that there is no deposit required if the only work we are carrying out is a Guitar Deep Clean.
Due to the customised nature of the work that we carry out, we are unable to return any of the materials to our suppliers if you decide to cancel your order once work has begun.
For this reason, the deposit is non-refundable.
Thanks for your understanding.
Looking After Your Finished Guitar
It's a fact: A guitar finished with wood stain and natural oil looks (and feels) AMAZING!
However, compared to a guitar finished in a more traditional nitrocellulose lacquer, there is one important thing to bear in mind to keep them looking as good as new.
Stained wood doesn't like being exposed to direct sunlight, it's why the garden shed/decking/neighbour's fence looked great a couple of summers ago but doesn't anymore!
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to slight colour fading during the first twelve months. For this reason, we would recommend storing your guitar in a location where it is not in direct sunlight.
You don't need to keep your beautiful new guitar hidden away though. It will be perfectly happy living on a guitar stand or hanging on a wall, so long as it isn't soaking up the rays.
The unnecessarily geeky bit: A room with north facing windows is a perfect place to hang/store a stained guitar... Anywhere in the room, go nuts!
Equally good would be the southern wall in rooms with windows that face south, east or west.
If in doubt, hanging a guitar on the same wall as a window is the best way to ensure it will be out of direct sunlight (assuming the room only has that one window).
The reassuring bit: We use a penetrating finishing oil, which drives the stain down into the wood and locks in the pigment. This results in vivid colours and a water-resistant finish, which further helps to minimise any fading.