Phil Campbell playing his new Strat built by TC Ellis Guitars

Phil Campbell of Motorhead finally got to the shop to pick up the Strat we just built for him:



The guitar is as follows:

Mahogany Body finished in translucent white
1 Piece Flame Maple Neck with Spade inlays and "Wanker" at the 12th fret
Callham Vintage S Bridge - blocked off (no trem)
EMG H/S/S pickup configuration modded to 18 volts
Custom made Gold Mirror Pickguard and back plate
Custom plated gold / nickel vintage split post tuners

If you are interested in a similar build we can produce this instrument for approx. £750

Finished Phil Campbells New Guitar

I have finally finished Phil's new Strat:


The guitar is built as a twin to the Series 2 Les Paul Style that we built for him earlier this year - its translucent white over Flame Maple with Gold Hardware.

Here are the specs:

Body: 1 Piece Ash with Flame Maple top. Routed for H/S/S

Neck: High Quality Flame Maple with Premium Rosewood Fretboard 22 Frets (medium Jumbo), 16" radius - "Spade" symbol fret markers in Abalone with "Wanker" at the 12th fret. Hand carved bone nut (0.023" to 0.018" E to E) 42.6mm at the nut / 52mm at the 12th fret. Very slim neck profile (20mm at 12th fret) - soft shoulders with a fairly "flat" back - think FAST. Vintage Pin-up decal on the headstock, finished in high gloss Nitro with Danish Oil finish on the back of the neck.

Hardware: EMG 81/S/S with 1 volume and 1 tone (ceramic) Callaham Vintage S bridge and trem block (blocked off) - no trem claw or springs - the trem cavity has 2 9v batteries for 18v mod to the EMG circuitry) Hardware has been selectivly 24 carat gold plated for a Gold / Nickel look. Hand made Gold Mirror pickguard and matching back plate - Vintage split post tuners again selectivly plated in gold. And finally a nice Welsh Flag button.

The guitars neck is set with a very very small amount of relief, Earnie Ball Super Slinky 10's with the action at 0.055 at the 12th fret on the Bass E going to 0.045 on the trebel E.

This had turned out to be yet another sweet guitar - I actually took a break yesterday and just played it for the sheer enjoyment it sounded and played that good. Phil is in Moscow today for the last gig of the 2009 Motorizer tour - we will hook up over Xmas and the New Year - I will try and get some pics and video of him with the guitar.

I can build this same guitar for around £850 - Fender Custom Shop quality at a fraction of the price.

Click on the pictures for bigger versions: