Worship Gear - Vol. 9

Kit or custom?

I have had several people make the statement to me that Crucible Guitars are basically assembled from a kit or model.  It is true that much of a Crucible Guitar is created using pieces that are either pre-formed or completed to a certain stage upon arrival, but I do not believe that “kit” really encompasses what we do.  In fact, most people would be surprised to see how much, or little, of their favorite guitar of any make is actually made within the manufacturers’ own facilities.  When someone uses the word kit or model, I think of something that has very little of the creator instilled in it when it finished.  We are all individuals and our fingerprints or techniques will leave some indelible impression on the final product of anything we create, and the purchaser of a Crucible Guitar Works creation has sizeable input into what the finished product looks, sounds, feels and plays like.

Most guitar kits on the market do not allow for the purchaser to choose the type of wood for the neck or body, scale length, pickup configuration, hardware, pickup routing options or finishes.  Almost all of these are at the clients choosing on a Crucible creation, within reason.  

Want a mahogany “strat” with three humbuckers and a string-through hard tail bridge?

We can do that.

Want to add a quilt maple top with a dyed, stained, sunburst or hand applied oil finish?

We can do that.

Want to make it with your choice of scale length, 24 ¾ or 25 ½ ?

We can do that.

We source our parts from some of the same manufacturers that supply larger companies, and many of our parts are made in the U.S.

Two things we maintain as standards in a Crucible Guitar Works creation, stainless steel frets and satin finish necks.  We like both of these features as they add to the playability and, in the case of the stainless steel frets, the longevity of the instrument.  Satin finish necks just feel better and don’t tend to feel sticky to your hand as you play for long hours.  Stainless steel frets feel smoother and are far more wear resistant than standard nickel-silver fret wire.

Is there anything we don’t do at Crucible Guitar Works?  Lots! But two in particular.  First, we don’t cut corners.  Second, we don’t do “relic” or artificially age a guitar.  Not that there is anything wrong with the concept.  In fact, some of the best overall guitars I have played recently have been aged guitars from Nash guitars.  It is just something we prefer not to do at this point in time, but never say never.

Lastly, all profits earned on Crucible Guitar Works products or services are donated to further the ministry and community work of Landmark Ministries in Batavia, OH.  At Landmark, they are concerned about the well being of not only their families, but also the community of which they a part.  Through ministries such as weekly congregational services, local community group sharing lives together, Wrapping Clermont Together, and Steel Horse Ministries, Landmark is hard at work spreading the love and gospel of Jesus Christ.

God Bless,

D.K. Sears

Guitarist / Technical Advisor – Landmark Baptist Worship (www.lbcohio.com)

Founder / Lead Designer / Tone Consultant – Crucible Guitar Works

(www.facebook.com/crucibleguitarworks) (Twitter: @CrucibleGuitars)

Author – Worship Gear