Ivory Out.. Silver In. Fixing a VERY Expensive Guitar Inlay.

Welcome to CRIMSON GUITARS HQ www.crimsonguitars.com/
In this episode, Ben is working on a very valuable clients guitar. Removing old inlays and replacing them with custom made silver pieces. Watch his various processes to exactly replicate and replace the original inlay shapes.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction & recap
0:30 A bit of history about the guitar & Ivory
2:19 The process of replicating the original inlays
3:09 making the silicone putty moulds
4:30 carefully removing once cured enough
5:13 Idea vs execution = interesting failure
7:19 The simple method using masking tape
8:35 First cut into the silver
9:43 Work holding for teeny, tiny inlay pieces with a stick
12:06 Gluing the first piece in place, gently
13:40 Carefully parring away the silver without damaging the other inlays
16:20 Using a fret polishing rubber for the final shine
17:55 Evolving the process with a Fanta bottle!
19:40 Creating and using an accurate template
21:12 Replacing existing inlays is trickier than making new ones
22:30 Using a saw as a finer needle file
22:50 Placing the inlay teeth and correcting one
24:45 levelling the inlays with sanding stick & polishing with fret rubbers
26:30 The inlay is complete & happy with new processes
PART ONE: • Taking a 40k Custom Al...
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Ben's camera setup includes: the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro, Prime Cameras (Front facing and over the bench) Canon EOS 250D, suspended from the ceiling (bench side) Canon EOS 90D, and on the movable tripod a Canon M6 Mark II
Any music used in this video from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
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We'd like to thank our partner for helping to make this video possible.
TRITON TOOLS - www.tritontools.com/en-GB
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WEBSITE: www.crimsonguitars.com
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Thank you again for all your support, we really, really appreciate it! - Ben
Stay tuned and stay awesome!
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[@redknight1322]

Ben, I enjoyed watching this video as you adapted to your physical limitations while recreating masterful replacement inlays for this unique guitar. You've faced some significant personal challenges but you've come out the other side stronger, more thoughtful, and willing to recognize when you needed help to get through the dark. I'm glad to see you back and being more creative than ever. I look forward to your next great project and want you to know that while I'm just one of many fans you've shown me, there is no shame in seeking help when you're struggling. Thank you so much for that... 🤗

[@jeremyanson8795]

So good to see Ben back on the channel sharing ideas and his considerable skills. Hope the carpal tunnel symptoms are manageable.

[@flapjack413]

Ben, if the carpal tunnel symptoms persist, consider carpal tunnel release surgery. I had both carpal and cubital tunnel release surgery on my right arm back in 2017, and have been symptom free ever since. The recovery time is very short, too. After about two weeks, I was able to do literally anything I wanted to again, and after about one month, my hand was almost back to full strength. Just make sure to find a good surgeon. I lucked out and had one of the best in my state right in my area.

[@lordbodford1]

Missed Ben need more of him

[@timc7345]

Gr8 to see you back Bun, on the gaspers again, keep strong mate.

[@davedavem]

100% with you on the getting lost in an idea thing. People wrongly diagnose they as procrastination...

[@Kevin-nr9lj]

Came out looking fantastic. Hope your hands get better soon, Ben

[@stu-j]

37 years of heavy industry my hands are absolutely cabbaged so I feel your pain! 5 surgeries on my hands and now I only have 30% use now! Winter is always the worst time for me so this year it's like I've not been pain fee!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I'm really sorry to hear that

[@Slikx666]

Improvise, overcome, adapt. 😀

[@unusefull]

Beautiful job ! Thanks for sharing !

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ianthomson9363]

Fantastic stuff. I was fascinated to see how the process evolved and the results are definitely worth the time and effort. It's good to see you doing what you do so well.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you very much!

[@archloy]

My personal way to make that kind of fine inlays is more simple and straightforward : I will give up and let my depression raising by watching on youtube a master luthiers doing things like that, with hands problems x) (hopefully, I did not try insane inlays for now, so I'm OK ! :p ) More seriously, the result is stunning Ben, glad you share that with us !

[@davidjones6218]

💥💥💥Been soooo waiting for this! Superb.🤯 Ben, you are looking great man.👏👏

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@damianrf6309]

Great to see you back, Ben. Beautiful work, as ever.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@robinfawcett7973]

Great to see you again Ben ! Happy Solstice

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you. Same to you!

[@cobbyblue45]

Awesome.

[@tonyhunt4250]

Loved watching!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@JoeThornhill]

In the word of Willie from Temple of doom: "Well, it's about time!"

[@jbacon4514]

Glad to see you back, Ben!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@zuchtfisch]

Dipping the shapes you‘ve taken off the fretboard into casting sand and using that to make a cast would be faster I guess 😂

[@JoeThornhill]

I think at least half of them came out in dust and tiny bits, though.

[@realitystudioscustomshop]

Yay! new crimson vid :D always a good day

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@LRBerry]

Have to say you're looking slimmer. I hope your hands improve. Great work with the silver.

[@jesusgom0245]

Just amazing!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thanks

[@davidwellings2783]

Really good to hear the dulcet tones, see the twinkling eyes from your ‘captain’s parlour’! Don’t think it would be my choice for a bass, but hey, each to his own!! Some great tips along the way! Cheers Ben! 🥰🥰🎸🎸☕️☕️

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you. It's good to be back

[@skratman]

Hi Ben. Last video I saw you were sadly shutting up shop. I must have missed a couple, but great to see you back on. I hope you are well (apart from the carpal tunnel issues) All the best.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you. I don't intent to ever stop making things, just have to slow down for a bit

[@NotThatOneThisOne]

I've had various problems with joints, ligaments and tendons over time. Something i firmly recommend is a number of sessions in a good spa. Don't think we have any in the UK, so I'd suggest the mineral spas around Zakopane, near Krakow. Like sitting in a Lazarus Pit.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you for the advice

[@rudisentosa6765]

Cool guitar...🤩

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

It really is

[@nicholas3139]

ha! look at you, working smarter, not harder😅! excellent job- glad to see you taking your time, being gentle with the technique & yourself.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thanks 👍

[@paulneeds]

Really good to see a substantial video, rather than the usual incessant ‘shorts’ which I really don’t like, and I’m sorry but I rarely watch them.

[@Kweesh]

Ben is back, huzzah. Any plans to do a full build?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Future projects in the planning stages

[@jerryheffernan1643]

We need to see you do a build challenge miss watching them

[@paulneeds]

Isn’t it a 6 string? I played an Alembic Omega bass once - and loved it. If I hadn’t already ordered a custom bass I’d have bought it - the prices were similar back around 1983. I’d still love an Alembic Spider like Entwistle’s, even just as a wall hanger to gaze at…

[@sutorguitarsbytondewit6854]

WOW FINALI A REAL VIDEO, i dont like shorts, shows to much leg 😅

[@jojo-df8eh]

B6 an B12 alone or in a complex vitamin are good against carpal tunnel !!!

[@JoePerkinsMusic]

Are you at Glastonbury again this year Ben?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Yes

[@TimothySilvesterplus]

I wear gloves almost everytime im handling chemicals now. Keeping my liver and kidneys happier has reduced joint pain immensely. Hand therapist/physio also a great investment. And ofcourse for us ADHD folk drinking enough water 😂. Fewer videos is fine with me knowing that you are looking after yourself better is reminding all of us viewers to do the same ❤

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you for the support and advice.

[@ThroughFallenEyes]

Editor: small tip. The sawing at around 8:50 was ear piercingly loud. On a phone speaker where I have to crank the volume to hear Ben, it was actually painful.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

My sincere apologies for breaking your ears. The volume is adjusted for screechy, high-pitched noises, just not enough this time.

[@BWorks]

They make metal clays that you can shape like puddy and then heat to burn away the binder, leaving solid metal behind. I've never tried them but i could see it being useful for something like this. They make them in silver, gold, copper - maybe others?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I've been wanting to experiment with that clay for a while, thank you for reminding me about this.

[@neilmeansneil]

Interesting but I miss the guitar builds!

[@FossilFishy]

At first I wondered if Ben is having heart problems, but I’m guessing that that electrode is for a TENS unit.

[@rojobemusic3754]

Ben, what is the clip on microphone you are using in this video? I've seen many people on KZbin using these and I need one in my life. Regards, Paul, Budding amateur luthier, RoJoBe Music.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

This is a Rode - rode.com/en/microphones/wireless/wirelessgoii?variant_sku=WIGOII

[@rojobemusic3754]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Thank you

[@erichbuehler6317]

Why not use a silver powder/superglue? Perfect fill much easier. Customer request for solid silver?

[@andresilva8444]

I saw Alembic and I thought you were making moonshine. 40k for that guitar? for that money I can make my own. Good job Bun.

[@frankiechan9651]

While the putty was certainly worth trying - I am wondering if there could have been any way to use a CNC to carve out some generic, slightly oversize claws. While you still need to shape them them to perfectly fit the cavities, it would possibly have saved a lot of time/ your hands in the sawing.

[@tahoemike5828]

I've been wondering where you were.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Not far, just taking it easy for a while

[@martintaylor1758]

Yikes. It’s a wee bit bling!

[@paulneeds]

And that looks SO much better than the ivory did!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thanks, I agree

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

How can it be legal to sell instruments with ivory in the 21st century?

[@GrandadTinkerer]

So what would you have done with instruments that were constructed with materials from before we knew that it was wrong to do so?

[@dickstryker]

Second hand (antique) ivory is still legal to trade in.

[@fbrz84]

The instrument was built decades ago and piano keys were used to make the inlays. Many things made in the 19th and 20th century have ivory in them and that's just the way it was. Getting rid of the ivory in them just because it is ivory seems beyond stupid. Acknowledge the material, point out where it is, bring awareness to it, leave it alone. Not that difficult.

[@PaulCooksStuff]

The customer isn't always right, but the customer is always the customer. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks - the customer wanted it removed for their own reasons.

[@JoeThornhill]

What IS up with your middle finger? It looks like you've been chain smoking, but I can't imagine it after everything you've been through.

[@WolfmanZeroX]

you did a great job as usual but that inlay is ugly as sin the dragon looks like a muppet and the detail is horrible it looks like a 50 quid neck from wish

[@stevenpipes1555]

You are doing some fine and detailed work there, no doubt, but I have to say it. This project is stupid! All of that for a tiny amount of RECLAIMED ivory? Why? Just say it's bone! Make a new spec sheet if you have to. Taking that risk, with someone else's master art work, just to please some overly sensitive social justice warrior. It's infuriating! They act like you hunted down an elephant just for your dragon claws. The piano keys were probably reclaimed meterial as well. Elephants do die on their own too you know! Tusks can be found on the ground too, they're not ONLY taken from hunted animals.