As the country goes into another lockdown, new arrangements will be in place from 5th November:

• We will be operating on the same basis as ‘non-essential retail’ (even though we are not retail), so the workshop will be closed to visitors but we shall continue to work on an reduced basis.
• Whilst no visitors will be allowed inside the workshop, we can still arrange appointments for delivery and pickup just outside the workshop, as with ‘click and collect’, so delivery and return of instruments can be done in the open air in the car park outside, observing social distancing.
• If you have an instrument for repair or servicing do get in touch via the contact form.​

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Well I've not posted anything for a while as the workshop has been rather busy since we reopened in May. I've had several vintage instruments requiring more involved repair and restoration work which have presented me with various challenges, alongside a whole host of other servicing and repair jobs. Some of these will be the subject of future more detailed posts. With all this activity I've rather neglected updating the blog recently ....so, as a stop gap, here's a nice pair of vintage Gibsons that customers brought in for some attention over the summer :)

A sweet deep bodied ES125 semi acoustic, probably from the early 50's. No visible serial number. The pickup would have been a black plastic covered P90 and this has been changed for a mini-humbucker. The original tuners have been replaced with Grovers and the control knobs have also been changed. A tune-o-matic bridge has been installed. Despite the non-original parts the guitar still has it's original finish and a lovely woody tone. This just needed a good clean and a set up.

This sunburst Gibson ES335 from 1966/67 came in needing repair to a number of loose pearl block inlays, a new bone nut, and a set up. This guitar was, at some time in the past, converted to left hand with the controls installed on the opposite side of the top, only later to be changed back to the original right hand configuration. This necessitated plugging the holes left behind with maple...a fair attempt was made by the repairman who did the work, but it's virtually impossible to match the repair finish on a top such as this. Otherwise the original finish, chrome covered humbuckers, and control knobs are still evident. Bridge and stop tail have been replaced together with the tuners and truss rod cover. The alterations and non original parts make this an affordable players grade vintage ES335.

This guitar, and it's slightly higher spec'ed cousin the Yamaha SG 2000 were a quite popular choice in the  late 70s/ early 80s, originally popularised by the likes of Carlos Santana and Bill Nelson (Be-Bop Deluxe) then taken up by a number of post punk/ new wave guitarists, in particular John McGeogh (Magazine/ Siouxsie and the Banshees), Stuart Adamson (Skids/Big Country), and Andy Taylor (Duran Duran).  The SG range were produced in Japan from 1976. It was an alternative to the ubiquitous Gibson Les Paul, with slightly hotter pickups, and a substantial weight akin to a Les Paul Custom, It's since become a bit of a cult classic. 

This model holds a soft spot in my heart as a tobacco sunburst SG1000 was the main guitar of John McGeogh, one of my favourite guitar players who was a big influence on the likes of John Frusciante (who also now plays Yamaha SGs), Johnny Marr, and Jonny Greenwood ...all of whom also happen to be some of my favourite players - strange that they are all Johns!

The original Yamaha Grover type machine heads and serial number on back of headstock (2xxx) date the guitar to 1977, so a fairly early one. The original frets had a fair amount of wear so I dressed these. The guitar had an old plastic nut, which I removed and made a new one from bone (shown in photo) as this guitar deserves better.

The original alnico humbucker pickups (which came without covers), bridge and stop tail piece are in place. The original volume pots did not work very well, despite a good clean, so I replaced them with good quality CTS pots for a smooth operation (keeping the old pots). The original push /push tone pots provide a coil split for a single coil sound - these worked fine so I left them alone. The volume and tone knobs were not original and did not fit the new pot shafts, so I replaced these with barrel knobs which look quite nice.

The body is solid mahogany with a maple top, the set neck is also mahogany with an ebony fretboard inlaid with distinctive pearl chevron inlays. The quality of the build is apparent when looking at the finishing details - the triple bound bound body and headstock and fancy headstock inlay. 

The guitar still had it's original green velvet lined case.

This is a high quality instrument, in my view better than most guitars coming from Gibson during the 1970's (when their quality control was somewhat suspect). You don't see many for sale in the UK these days, but if you can find one, in my opinion they are still great value and you get a lot of guitar for your money. They also look super cool!

Due to the current lockdown situation the workshop is closed to customers for the foreseeable future. Please do continue to send enquiries by all means and I'll endeavour to give advice over the phone or via email. As soon as we're able to open up again I'll let you know. Meanwhile stay safe everyone. Best wishes Andy.

I've grouped these guitars together for the high quality and detail of their finish/construction, the woods used, or classy  design/aesthetics... the Martin and PRS are custom higher end models, the Dean a mid range model.

​Further to my last post, I'll be available during the day for free bench inspections on instruments. Does your guitar not play as well as you think it should? Is the action too high? Strings buzzing? Or have some other annoying issue? Feel free to bring your instrument along and drop into the Fret & Nut workshop and see me for a free bench inspection and assessment of it’s condition, and what work might be necessary, or recommended , to get your instrument playing as well as it can again, without obligation. 

Having spent the best part of August decorating, moving equipment and benches, and organising where things go... the new workshop will be up and running from Monday 2nd September. In addition to this, on Saturday 21st September, Flax Drayton Farm workshops have an open day. Please do come along and enjoy the various activities, listen to some live music, and have a look at what the creative businesses here are up to...more details below ... Fret & Nut and Steve's Amps are the third workshop on the left. 

​Flaxdrayton Workshops Open Day ( Press Release)

This September come join the extraordinary arts and social enterprise hub at Flaxdrayton Farm in our Workshops Open Day.  
** Free entry! **

Flaxdrayton Workshops are opening their doors to the public on Saturday 21st September from 11am to 4pm. Visitors can explore the fascinating history of this Victorian farmyard, along with an exclusive peek into the 18 thriving businesses and workshops nestled in the beautiful Somerset countryside; each working to make their corner of the world a better and more interesting place to be.

This historic Victorian farmyard has been in the Blake family since it was built in 1858.  Francis and his wife Jane, the current generation, took on the farm in the mid 70’s, first farming organically, then, following a substantial fire in 1993, gradually converting the buildings with great care into its current vibrant community of 18 small businesses (there’s just two units currently empty and available to let).  

Come to the Open Day and you can: 
Taste and buy wonderful fresh produce from local food producers, including:
Cider and apple juice
Bread and bakery products
Fruit and vegetables, eggs and preserves  
Sports nutrition, healthy snacks
Purchase restored antiques and memorabilia and other up-cycled collectibles
See wood carving, upholstery and furniture restoration in action
Sign up for discounted sessions – photography and Body SMART fitness
Tour the metal gaming miniatures workshop and follow a game in action
Play with Imagine Learn & Create’s “Club Tropicale” – crazy golf, photo booth, fortune telling, coconut shy, splat the (tropical) rat
Enjoy live music from John Adamson, Plum Jam and Toadflax in the farmyard and try out the outdoor dance floor
Refresh yourself at our “pop up” café, selling tea/coffee, pasties, cakes, mocktails 
Find out about the history of what was a model Victorian farm 160 years ago, and its story since. 

All profits are going to The Refugee Council, Somerset Wildlife Trust and Prostate Cancer UK.

Flaxdrayton Farm is just ½ mile from the A303 between South Petherton and Norton-sub-Hamdon.  
For more information, please visit www.flaxdrayton.co.uk, ring 01460 241062 or email francis@flaxdrayton.co.uk.

Our tenants (clockwise around the farmyard)-

Angel Eyes    Sarah Wallace     New-born, maternity and family photography
Veelyn Ltd     Lynda Styles    Antiques, collectables, craft Items, memorabilia & up-cycling
Fret and Nut    Andy Hann    Guitar set up and repairs
Steve’s Amps     Steve Rowse    Valve amplifier repairs 
Julia Thompson    Ethical jeweller and silversmith
Take Art    Ralph Lister    Arts charity for Somerset communities
Arttus     Ken Peterkin    Period interiors and furniture, restoration conservation and consultancy
iOme Fitness    Charlie Fardon    Fitness studio, yoga/pilates
Bower Bakery     Peter Hill    Artisan baker
Blackdown  Greenroofs Ian Banks    Green roof supply and installation and all related roofing/podium needs
Navtor UK Ltd     Richard Northover    E-navigation solutions, products and services 
John Adamson    Wood carving
Marc Wood    Fine joinery and furniture bespoke Joinery
JJ’s Nuts    Andy and Debbie Cox    Nuts, nibbles, herbs and spices 
Imagine Learn and Create   Jess Hyslop  Art and craft tutoring for those and create with learning disabilities
SHQ Miniatures Heroics & ROS   Pete Edwards  Ian Armstrong   Metal gaming miniatures
Hackney Studio    Wendy Heath    Painted furniture and upcycling, pedicure and reflexology     
Upholstery Studio    Linda Whatley    Upholstery, furniture repairs, dress making

All contact details can be found at www.flaxdrayton.co.uk.

On 1st August 2019 Fret & Nut will be re-locating to a new workshop at Flax Drayton Farm which is located in rural South Somerset, only half a mile from the A303, 5 miles from Crewkerne and Ilminster, 10 miles from Yeovil, and 16 miles from Taunton. The workshop is bigger and has an improved layout, and I shall be working alongside my friend Steve Rowse who repairs musical instrument and hi-fi valve amplifiers. This will create a "one stop shop" for all our customer's guitar and amplifier repair needs across Somerset, Dorset and Devon, and further afield.

Here's a link to Steve's website - http://www.stevesamps.co.uk 

The workshop is called "The Engine Room" and here are some pictures. 

As a result of this move I will not be taking on any new repair work from around mid July until (probably) the beginning of September whilst we sort everything out. I'll keep you posted!