The Middle Earth Guitar - Chapter 5: Three for the Elven Kings | The Great Guitar Build Off 2022

[@realitystudioscustomshop]

Those pickup rings are a thing of beauty

[@adairguitars]

They’re perfect for the theme of this guitar. 👍

[@realitystudioscustomshop]

@@adairguitars just so

[@ghosthawk65]

Another winner I love how you are referencing the text to each step of the process. it really elevates the video and the value of the guitar. 🎸🤩

[@adairguitars]

Thanks, I’m glad you’re enjoying it!

[@rayrayokmusic]

So very nice. Quality all around.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Ray. A little bit longer until we hear them in action.

[@dfn808]

Holy crap, you certainly wasn't joking when you said you were making a guitar. Awesome! Personally, I can't wait to see the book-matched Maple 'Eye of Sauron' :)

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Damien, that would be a cool idea!

[@johnvandevelden7524]

The story, the music, the GUITAR 😲Loving it!

[@adairguitars]

Thanks John, I’m glad you’re loving it!

[@BoneheadGuitars]

This project is absolutely stunning dude.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Scott. Fingers crossed that the last few ideas I have will go to plan.

[@BoneheadGuitars]

@@adairguitars I have zero doubt it will be awesome.

[@timbeaton5045]

@@BoneheadGuitars Yep. Agreed. (Two of my fave GGBO people here!)

[@LisaHarsh]

You amaze me. My goodness I learn so much watching this while reliving the Lord of the Rings.

[@bhartissimo]

Makes me want to watch it all over again. Perhaps I should before Arran's final video.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Lisa, I’m enjoying going back over the Lord Of The Rings books as I’m building this.

[@ravencroftguitars]

Some day, I will try my hand at making my own pickups. As always, amazing work, my friend.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Cade. It’s a fun process and ‘easier’ than I initially thought. Although I’m yet to have a disaster while winding, so I’m sure that will happen at some stage!

[@robertr4193]

Really beautiful wood color and grain on the top of your guitar build.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Robert. 👍

[@roelschouten8834]

Nice work. I also make my own pickups. It’s good fun, more unique

[@adairguitars]

Winding pickups is still pretty new to me, but I’m finding it very satisfying.

[@calbrockocat8728]

Superb. Really enjoyed this 3 pickup build. The tale continues...

[@adairguitars]

Thanks! Only a few more chapters to go.

[@saulgoodeguitars]

Love your work mate, this guitar is one of my faves

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Corey, it’s one of my favourites too! 😂

[@favguitars]

Man… your work is next level! Narration and images makes your videos a pleasure to watch.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks so much, I’m glad you’re enjoying them!

[@creativecomposites6193]

Brilliant!

[@adairguitars]

Thanks!

[@harrisonandrew]

Tremendous.

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Andrew. 👍

[@TornelliGuitars]

Arran I really love how this one is coming together and I’m impressed you’re winding your own pickups, that’s something I have yet to learn. Im looking forward to hearing them!👍

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Gio. These are the first strat pickups I’ve wound, so was relieved when I got the resistance I was after. Winding pickups is still pretty new to me, but it’s all part of the fun!

[@timbeaton5045]

Just love the detailed references. The planning and forethought in this build are beautifully worked out. Three (Pickup ) rings, indeed! So is the bridge pickup Narya, the ring of fire? So Nenya and Vlya the other two!

[@timbeaton5045]

Ahh. should have comment after watching the entire video!. But my guess was right!

[@adairguitars]

Great guess! The ring of fire definitely had to be the bridge. Loud and dangerous.

[@fluidalchemist68]

We're going to need a video tutorial on how to make a winding machine mate :-)

[@adairguitars]

It’s actually easier to make than you would think!

[@fluidalchemist68]

@@jonathanmorrison4349 thanks mate 🙂

[@jurgenzoller4407]

I was gritting my teeth the moment you turned the wind switch on....so much can mess you up in that moment!!!

[@adairguitars]

Yep, it’s worse when you speed it faster that you want to as well! The motor is slightly too powerful for the control. Will replace it with a slower motor at some stage.

[@timbeaton5045]

@@adairguitars I would suspect that some form of tensioning device might work, although the sensititvity of the fingers probably work well enough, at least for small numbers. I'll bet the "big boys" have sorted this all out. Which does make me question the prices that some "premium" brands charge. I can't believe there is that much difference between reasonably priced pickups (Wilkinson, Iron Gear, etc.) and say, Lollars, or other expensive brands. Fairly certain there is simply a lot of mystique that brand loyalty feeds into. My bet is that these pickups will sound every bit as good as some of the "vintage" style ones at exorbitant prices!

[@adairguitars]

There are a lot of mechanical/computer/robot controlled tensioning and winding components out there. I figure that if I’m using quality parts, then it’s only the winding skill that may make the difference. Pickup winding is still new to me but the P90s I’ve wound sound great!

[@whssy]

Curious why you didn't already cut channels for the pickup wires before adding the top?

[@adairguitars]

I’m curious as well now that I’m up to this stage! 😂 I’ve only just finalised the cavity size and layout, so I wasn’t sure exactly where the channels would go before I put the top on. Drilling between the pickups will work fine.

[@bhartissimo]

Custom pickups are nice touch. How long did it take to make all three, including wax potting them?

[@adairguitars]

Thanks Bart. I did them when I had spare bits of time over a week, but if I had everything set up it would probably only take a couple of hours for all three.

[@bhartissimo]

@@adairguitars Wow, I'd imagined they'd take much longer. Nice work!

[@ytgibbo]

Great videos. Would prefer without background music though.

[@adairguitars]

Each series I do has a different level of music. I’m sure I’ll do some future videos with only the woodworking sounds.