Bear Soulmate Guitars
Create your guitar soulmate. A custom-built Bear Guitar is all about reaching for your perfect musical partner.
Bears are for life!
My 5 latest commissions, could they be more different!
From your dream into reality. I can design and make anything from simple slab-bodied guitars from native Dorset timbers, to extravagant creations with highly-figured tops, hand-wound pickups and the best hardware available. It’s entirely up to you. With prices from £750, let your inspiration loose on a soulmate today!
Design elements
Wood
I use many different timbers. Dorset-grown body wood, with highly-figured tops from around the world.
Shapes
Every guitar is cut by hand, inspired by my own designs or familiar friends. Anything is possible.
Necks
Your neck, your choice. I often use Fender scale, maple body-wood and maple or rosewood fingerboards. Each neck is shaped and finished to suit both your hand and eye.
Headstocks
Every guitar is different and so is its headstock. Natural or coloured, contoured to your ideal tuner configuration, each headstock is carved and finished to your preferences.
Pickups
I offer a variety of pickups to suit your tastes. For bespoke pickups, I use amazing UK designer Ben Fletcher who makes them specifically for each design.
Fine details
I work with all sorts of metals, wood dyes and paints for those special finishing touches. I make pickup surrounds, scratchplates, knobs and switch tips as required. Down to the last detail, everything is created to suit each guitar.
How it works
Get in touch
Even if you’re not sure about what kind of guitar you want, get in touch and we can talk about the endless possibilities. We can chat on the phone or online, or you can visit the workshop!
Designed from scratch
We’ll talk about everything: from the shapes you want, to the vibe you’re after, and all within your budget. We can use drawings and photos, or anything else, to get a clear idea of how it will look and feel.
Constant updates
You’ll be involved in every step of the build process. I send regular photographs, from the bare wood through to the finished guitar. You can share your views at every step. By the end, you’ll be left with a complete record of the build.
Finished to perfection
If you think the guitar I deliver to you isn’t quite right, I will make the necessary alterations to ensure it’s exactly what you wanted, for no extra charge. I want to leave you delighted with your new Soulmate.
Pricing
£750 - £2000
My pricing is based on:
Predicted build time
Complexity of the build
Speciality parts
We’ll always talk about what’s possible within your budget. Once the build has started, the price will never change; leaving you with the peace of mind that there won’t be any unexpected extras.
Let’s build your dream guitar
Get in touch and let’s chat about guitars! If there is anything I can help or advise with (it doesn’t have to be about spending money!) I’m always delighted to talk. Or why not come down to the magical land that is Dorset and we can do it all over some great coffee?