
Can you share a bit about your background and how you developed your passion
for crafting these instruments?
I started playing when I was 10 and in my early
teens I developed dreams of becoming a rock star, as we all do. This mindset
combined with a lifelong passion for creating things, from Lego, empty washing up
liquid bottles and egg cartons, to basic wood work inspired by hours spent with my
grandad watching him create bird tables and benches for the whole family. This
culminated in my first, all be it poor, effort at making a guitar for my GCSE D&T
project (for which I scored almost full marks on the practical side) – a crude teenage
mash up of a strat (I had my broken one to hand) and a Warlock (my then dream
guitar). After starting a family at a fairly early age, I re discovered my love for guitars
around 2015 when I started doing small repairs for friends and had another, more
successful, go at making a guitar. I managed to land a job in a local furniture
workshop and that’s when I decided to have another go at guitars, combining my
knowledge of the instrument and the skills I learnt from experienced joiners to
create striking instruments and play around with some techniques I’d never seen
employed on guitar construction before. Basically having some fun.
In the competitive world of custom guitar making, how do you ensure the quality
and consistency of your products?
By doing everything myself really. Good lighting and taking time to look over the guitar after each step helps. And keeping mental notes of the key areas for attention, such as neck feel and fret smoothness. My main aim is to make the most comfortable and easy playing
guitar I can. Starting with neck joint ergonomics, especially on bolt on joints,
where I have created my own interlocking joint that makes it feel like a set neck.
I’ve focussed a lot on finishing as well. I do all my own spraying and getting to
grips has really allowed me to offer a huge range of finish options with the
convenience of doing it in house to make the process smoother.
How has technology influenced your guitar-making process?Â
Aside from routers
and a bandsaw I’m very much a hand tool worker so technology doesn’t play a
huge role. I like it this way as you get that sort of perfect imperfection that shows
you it’s hand made. No CNCs here
Do you specialize in particular types of guitars, such as 6-string, 7-string guitars,
or bass guitars? How do you approach the customization process for each type?
I seem to be heading more towards the metal market with my current customs –
thin necks, full fret access, locking trems, high output pickups, sustainers, pointy
shapes and wild paint jobs. But I love these customers as I get to have fun and
experiment with crazy elements.
Do you collaborate with artists or musicians during the design and development
phase, and how does this collaborative process contribute to the uniqueness of
Hilditch Guitars? Can you share some stories about notable artists who play
Hilditch Guitars?
I’m fortunate enough to have developed a large pool of
musicians I call friends, which I can pull various ideas from in creating the ultimate
playing instrument for many genres (although I seem to be heading more towards
metal for customs due to fast necks and striking shapes/finishes). The biggest
name currently playing one of my guitars is the lead guitarist from UK thrash band
Onslaught, Wayne. He’s an absolute shredder so it was good to get his input on
making a fast playing neck, contours and fret access.
Can you highlight some unique design elements or features in Hilditch Guitars
that set them apart from other custom builders in the industry?Â
My main USP, if you will, is that I can and will make anything the customer wants. I have my stock shapes of course, and I tend to use these to experiment with ideas, but when it
comes to customs I offer a full design service including custom shapes.
In the process of crafting guitars at Hilditch, are there any proprietary techniques
or methods you use that contribute to the distinct sound and playability of your
instruments?Â
It depends what inspiration strikes and what guitar I’m building.
Many times I can create a guitar in my head based off one element, for eg a
bridge or pickup set, and then I’ll decide what sort of feel/look/genre that guitar
will be aimed at and that will influence neck thickness, contours, frets etc. I also
prefer to use multi laminate necks as having multiple pieces of wood that want to
move in different ways really adds some rigidity and helps stop unwanted
movement. And a 2 way truss rod so you can dial in the perfect neck relief.
How do you approach the customization process to ensure that each guitar
reflects the individual preferences and style of the customer, and what role does
this personalization play in making Hilditch Guitars stand out?
 This is the key part! As I said, I will make anything a customer wants and they get as much of a design role as they want. Some come with a simple idea and ask me to embellish, and
some come with full detailed drawings including colours and annotations. But
without the customer's input it isn’t truly custom is it?
Are there any specific types of wood, materials, or finishes that you prefer to use
in your guitars, and how do these choices contribute to the unique tonal
characteristics and aesthetics of Hilditch instruments?Â
I really like Ash for bodies.
It gives a nice solid base for the guitar, and if you get a nice grain pattern you can
have some fun with colours and finish. But I’ll use almost any wood if it’s pretty,
for a clear finish, and solid and stable for painted finish. I only use oil on the necks
as I prefer the natural feel of the wood, and it’s reassuring just how many people
agree with this. And my go to lacquer is polyurethane for it’s extra durability
compared to nitro.
Can you share insights into the level of attention to detail and craftsmanship that
goes into each Hilditch Guitar?
High levels! Haha. I can spend hours making sure
all sanding marks are removed if it’s to have a clear finish. Checking any
dinks/chips/holes are taken care of in the best way. Prep, prep, more prep, for
spraying. Constant checking by feeling, of curves, contours, neck, joints etc. I can
spend a lot of time on making sure neck joints line up to give an even string
spread on the body over the pickups. And fretwork is possibly the most important.
Being thorough on fretboard prep helps minimise fret levelling afterwards so you
can a nice low action if needed. And I spend a bit of time on smoothing the ends
to make it comfortable moving up and down the neck.
Can you walk us through the ordering process for a custom guitar at Hilditch
Guitars? What options do customers have in terms of specifications and finishes?
I have created a drop down box form on my website that customers can use to
highlight their preferences, with space to add details if there’s anything specific
that isn’t on the list. I’m also open to email and whatsapp messages if they have
something already planned that they just want to send over to me to go through. I
also have a simple spec form I can send out to be filled in. Once specs and price
are confirmed, I send out a final confirmation form which includes all specs for
review and info on deposit payment.

For someone considering a Hilditch Guitar, what would you say is the most
compelling reason to choose one of your instruments over those of other custom
builders?Â
What makes the Hilditch experience exceptional for musicians and
collectors alike? As already mentioned, I can make anything they want and I
involve them in the whole journey as much as possible. Including regular picture
updates and small details that might seem trivial but are important – contours,
neck shape, control layout, strap button placement. I want the customer to be
involved as much as I am. It’s their guitar at the end of the day
For someone interested in exploring more about Hilditch Guitars, where can they
find information about your current inventory, past projects, and the various
customization options available?Â
Website www.hilditchguitars.com
Finally, for those looking to purchase a Hilditch Guitar, where can they place
orders, and what kind of support or guidance do you offer to customers throughout
the ordering and delivery process?Â
Custom Guitars Built in the UK (hilditchguitars.com) I’m always at the end of the phone
for them to ask any questions, and I update regularly as things progress.
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