Duncan Cruttenden Guitars

01/10/2026

September round-up at DC Guitars! From personal client handovers to acoustic refinishing and local live shows, here is what’s been happening across the workshop this month:

New Delivery: The Autumn Burst Pavilion Parlor 🍂
Another bespoke build has officially flown the nest! It was an absolute pleasure to hand-deliver this custom Pavilion Parlor directly to Jonathan (pictured enjoying the first test-drive).

The Woods: Swamp ash body paired with a stunning flame maple cap and matching flame maple neck, finished with an ebony fingerboard, headstock veneer and heel-cap.

The Finish: A custom 'Autumn Burst' top designed specifically for this build.

The Electronics & Hardware: Loaded with Bare Knuckle Pickups (a Mississippi Queen P90 in the neck and an Abraxas humbucker at the bridge), TonePros bridge, Schaller tuners, and premium hand-wired circuitry throughout.

On the Bench: Repairs & Restorations ⚒️
Martin Acoustic: Addressed extensive structural and internal bracing work before completing a beautiful hand-applied Tru-oil refinish.

Fender Stratocaster: Mini-restoration including a complete electrical overhaul, full ultrasonic hardware cleaning, and a precision setup and service.

Live in the Wild 🎸
Always great to see our instruments working hard on stage! Huge shoutout to Richie laying down the low end on his DC Guitars Sovereign Bass with local Hastings band Gripper Lee at their recent hometown show.

Upcoming Shows – Catch Me on the Road 🚚
Exhibition season is winding down, but I’ve still got a couple of shows coming up! Come say hello, test-drive the builds, and talk custom projects at:

📍 Cheshire Guitar Show – Sunday 4th October
📍 The Welsh Guitar Show – Sunday 18th October

Got a project or repair in mind? Drop a comment or send a message to check bench availability.

08/09/2026

❗ Important Workshop & Event Update ❗

Due to unforeseen circumstances, DC Guitars will unfortunately no longer be exhibiting at upcoming September dates:

🎸 Craft In Focus | Hever Castle (9th–13th September)

🎸 The Wiltshire Guitar Show | Swindon (20th September)

I am truly sorry to miss seeing everyone in Kent and Wiltshire this month. If you were planning to visit the stand to test-drive any of my builds, inspect the MusicNomad workshop gear, or discuss a commission in person, I am still available directly via email, phone or if you want to send me a DM.

The workshop remains fully focused on current bench commitments, with scheduled repairs and bespoke builds progressing as planned.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support, and I look forward to sharing my next exhibition dates with you soon.

28/08/2026

August has been an absolute whirlwind on the workshop floor✨

From high-stakes structural restorations to shaping new bespoke models, here is a look at what has been on the bench at DC Guitars this month:

Repairs & Restorations
🛠️Complete set-up and service on a Vintage AV3
🛠️Full set-up and custom hand-cut bone nut for a Fender Telecaster
🛠️Set-ups on two Fender Stratocasters (including a full aesthetic refresh with a mint green scratch plate, backplate, and control k***s)
🛠️Ongoing acoustic structural work: bracing and lining repairs on a Martin, plus a complex headstock reconstruction on an Epiphone

Bench update: Workshop repair slots are now almost fully booked through to mid-October.

On the Bench: Bespoke Builds
Work continues across three custom builds: two Pavilion Parlors and one Pavilion Royale. The first Parlor heads out to its new home in September, with the second Parlor and Royale following in October.

Commission availability: Both November build slots are officially filled. We are now booking custom commission slots for the New Year—get in touch soon if you are looking to secure a 2027 build!

On the Road
August saw great stops at the Manchester Guitar Show and a local stand at the BLODS ‘Our House’ summer musical. Coming up next in September:
🎸 Craft In Focus Contemporary Craft Fair | Hever Castle (10th–13th Sept)
🎸 The Wiltshire Guitar Show | St. Joseph’s College, Swindon (20th Sept)

Drop a comment below or send a message to discuss a repair, build slot, or to catch up at one of the upcoming shows!

31/07/2026

Got questions about your current setup, or curious about what goes into a bespoke 1:1 guitar build? Perhaps a hand-painted guitar commission is a lifelong dream - well, look no further… ask me about “Customise with Chlo”…

I’m continuing to take DC Guitars on the road and this weekend, I’m headed North for the Manchester Guitar Show on Sunday, 2nd August at the George Carnall Centre, Kingsway Park, M41 7FJ.

Instead of just looking at pictures on my feed, come test-drive one of my models for yourself. Feel the guitar in action and hear the tonal response in real time.

I'll also have a bench full of setup and retail essentials - MusicNomad tool sets, Newtone hand-wound strings, Abalone Eye guitar straps, and original artwork by James Holcombe.

If you're in the North West this Sunday, drop by the stand for a chat!

📍 George Carnall Centre, Kingsway Park, M41 7FJ
📅 Sunday 2nd August (10am - 3pm)

30/07/2026

23/07/2026

Leicestershire is the place to be for all things guitar related this Sunday!

If you’re a player, collector, or just love incredible craftsmanship, the Leicestershire Guitar Show this Sunday, 26th July is a non-negotiable day out. The exhibition floor is going to be absolutely packed with incredible independent talent, gear, and live music all under one roof.

The DC Guitars stand will be loaded and ready. I’m bringing our latest custom builds straight from the workshop bench, including the Pavilion models. If you’ve been watching these timbers get carved and joined on your feed, this is your chance to actually plug them in, test-drive the action, and hear how they resonate in real life.

Beyond the guitars, I’ll also have the stand fully stocked with premium accessories, workshop essentials, and incredible local talent:
⚒️ Professional MusicNomad luthier setup gear
🧵 Hand-wound Newtone strings
🎨 Artisan Abalone Eye straps
🖼️ Stunning custom artwork from local artist James Holcombe

NEW…”Customise with Chlo” a new addition to the DC Guitars offer - ever fancied creating your own handpainted custom guitar design? Well, now you can. Please come and have a chat about this new way to make your Pavilion Parlor truly yours…

Come and say hello and chat to me about commissions, build courses and everything in-between! Let's make a day of it. See you Sunday! 🙌

📅 Sunday 26th July (11am - 4pm)
📍 The Leicestershire Guitar Show

15/07/2026

Brighton, I’m coming to the coast! 🌊🎸

This Saturday, 18th July, DC Guitars will be heading to the Brighton Guitar Show! It’s fantastic to be exhibiting so close to home, and I can’t wait to join the vibrant South Coast music community for an incredible day.

I'll be setting up a full display of hand-built flagship instruments, including the Pavilion Parlor range. If you’ve been following my previous workshop builds on social media, this is your perfect opportunity to pull up a stool and test-drive them in person.

I’ll also have a full selection of premium partner gear on the stand, including MusicNomad luthier tools, hand-wound Newtone strings, artisan Abalone Eye guitar straps and artwork from local artist James Holcombe.

Whether you want to upgrade your toolkit, grab some premium accessories, or chat 1:1 about a custom guitar commission or ask about one of my courses, please stop by and say hello!

📅 Saturday 18th July
⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Rd, BN2 9XZ

Head over to brightonguitarshow.co.uk to secure your tickets, and I’ll see you by the beach!

18/06/2026

Norwich, I’m coming your way this weekend!

This Saturday 20th June, DC Guitars is heading to Fret Fest: The Norwich Guitar Show. I’ll be setting up a full display of our signature hand-built instruments, but that’s not all I’m bringing to the fine city.

To celebrate the show, I am running an exclusive, one-day-only workshop deal on the ultimate guitar maintenance kit.

🛠️ THE FRET FEST SPECIAL OFFER:
Get the MusicNomad 3-Piece Starter Set for just £150 - that is a massive saving of £95 off the retail price!

This professional-grade kit is the exact gear I use on my own bench and includes:
1️⃣ The 6-piece Precision Setup Gauge Set
2️⃣ The Premium Guitar Tech Truss Rod Wrench Set
3️⃣ The Screwdriver and Wrench Set

Whether you want to grab an incredible deal on world-class setup tools, test-drive a Pavilion or Sovereign build, or chat about my 1:1 courses, make sure to stop by the stand.

📅 Saturday 20th June
📍 Fret Fest: Norwich Guitar Show

See you there!

12/06/2026

Bristol, I’ll be heading your way this weekend! 🚚🎸

I am incredibly excited to be exhibiting at the Bristol Guitar Show this coming weekend on Sunday 14th June. If you are looking for weekend plans and appreciate fine, British craftsmanship, the Ashton Gate Stadium is the place to be.

I’ll be bringing a selection of signature hand-built instruments, including the Pavilion Parlor and Sovereign Bass models. This is your perfect opportunity to get them in your hands, feel the neck profiles, and experience a master-built guitar for yourself.

Come and take a look at a wide range of Music Nomad tools, including fret tools, nut files and the 6-piece set-up kit. Music Nomad have developed some of the best Luthiery tools on the market.

I will also be selling some British handmade items, Abalone Eye guitar straps, Newtone hand-wound strings and James Holcombe artwork.

Whether you want to talk bespoke commissions, purchase some Music Nomad tools, or chat about stepping behind the bench on my new 1:1 Build Course, please stop by the stand and say hello!

📅 Sunday 14th June
📍 Ashton Gate Stadium, BS3 2EJ
⏰ 10:00am – 4:00pm

Head over to guitarshowsuk.co.uk for full ticket details, and I’ll see you there!

29/05/2026

🛠️ Ever wanted to step behind the luthier’s bench and finish your own custom guitar?

This unique, hands-on workshop experience bridges the gap between expert British luthiery and your own technical satisfaction.

Here is how it works:
I pre-build and finish the body and neck of your chosen model (Model T, Thinline, Sovereign Bass, or a set-neck Pavilion Parlor) to your exact visual and wood specifications. When you step into the workshop, you take the lead on the assembly, learning the precise mechanical and electronic skills that bring the instrument to life.

What you will master:
✅ Precision bridge placement and neck alignment
✅ Wiring up high-end pickups and control pots
✅ Professional fret dressing, levelling, and crowning
✅ Hand-cutting a bespoke bone nut from scratch
✅ A master-level final setup tailored perfectly to your playing style

To ensure you can maintain your instrument for years to come, the course fee (from £2,000) includes a professional MusicNomad Precision 6-piece Setup Gauge Set and a Diamond Coated Safe Zone S-File to take home with you.

Slots are extremely limited due to annual workshop capacity. To discuss your specifications and book your bespoke build course, please get in touch!