Grainger Guitars: “Guitars can’t be too out there or they just look wrong”

In our Luthier Interview Series we dive into the world of electric guitar craftsmanship with the experts who bring these instruments to life. This time we feature an interview with Gavin Grainger from Grainger Guitars.

Grainger Guitars is a UK based boutique guitar company run by brothers Gavin and Darren Grainger. They both work on every guitar they produce. In the interview below, Gavin explains how they go about building their exclusive custom guitars.

Let’s dive in!

How did your backgrounds in precision engineering influence your approach to guitar building?

Both Darren and myself have been in engineering since we were teenagers, and been used to making parts and projects for other people.

The tight tolerances we have to work to on a day to day basis means we tend to approach guitar building the same way. We keep the same strict guidelines when building and work out all the small details and little touches that make things individual.

Can you explain how your experience in CNC machining and 3D CAD design has impacted the way you design and manufacture guitars?

The whole way we work is very similar to how we approach an engineering type job. We first look at what we want to achieve and then set about how to best make that happen, whether that’s making fixtures or tooling to help with the build process, or just coming up with solutions to get around challenging ideas.

We design everything in CAD first to make sure it’s all accurate, from prep machining wire grooves to making sure bevels don’t interfere with weight relief cutouts et cetera.

All elements are designed in CAD then when I program them. On the CAM software we can run the simulations to check the best machining strategies.

What inspired you to transition from engineering to guitar making?

We have always loved guitars, both of us from a young age. We just thought why don’t we take what we do in our day job and put it into our interests.

How do you balance the use of modern technology with traditional hand-crafting techniques in your guitar production?

We want to make the best, most accurate instruments we can and the best way to do that is to use CAD software to design and CNC to machine those important features of building an instrument that need to be spot on.

We then spend lots of time hand finishing them, sanding, staining, making pickups. There are certain things that need to be done by hand.

What’s the most challenging aspect of building guitars, and how has your engineering background helped you overcome these challenges?

When you first start building guitars the neck seems to be the main concern, people always freak out about how to do it like it’s some kind of holy grail!

It’s not. You just have to break it down and do it step by step. Our engineering background helps us in that way because we are always working around problems, so nothing tends to faze us.

How has your experience in motorsport fabrication influenced your guitar designs or manufacturing processes?

It’s all about taking the engineering accuracy and applying it to guitar building really, we treat it as the same sort of thing. Keeping tolerances as close as we can.

As brothers working together, how do you divide responsibilities within the company?

Daz will then do the CAD work and get the 3D model all done. I will then be the one that programs and machines it.

From there I tend to do all the sanding and stain work while Daz will be doing the fretting, wiring and building side.

What unique features or innovations have you incorporated into your guitars that set them apart from other manufacturers?

We want to try and make guitars that have a familiar look to them but with our own spin. For guitars to be appealing they can’t be too out there or they just look wrong.

Can you walk us through your design process for a new guitar model?

We will first decide on what type of body shape we want to do. Then what happens is I normally come up with the design and we will go back and forth together to get the design as we want it.

It’s then a case of getting the details nailed down, wood choices, layout, colours et cetera.
Once its modelled up we can 3D print it to check how it will look and decide if we are happy before we ever cut into some expensive wood.

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or project from your guitar-making journey so far?

There’s been a fair few, like making a guitar for a Darts legend with a massive wolf inlay on the back to auction off for charity, to making a guitar for Dave from Edge of Paradise and having to take it to give to him in London at one of their gigs!

Carting an Explorer-sized guitar case around London Underground ain’t fun. 🤣

How do you ensure the consistency and quality of your guitars while maintaining the personal touch of hand-finished instruments?

As it is only myself and Darren who do it, we are in complete control of the quality, nothing goes through without us both being involved, and that’s the way we want it.

What are your thoughts on balancing tradition and innovation in guitar design?

All things move forward and guitars are no exception. New technology is always coming out which is good sometimes and not so good at other times. But there is always gonna be a place for the more traditional stuff, hence the reason a lot of those designs are still around now.

If there is something that improves the way a guitar plays or feels, I’m up for it, but it’s just keeping in mind if it actually improves the experience or it’s just changing something to be different.

How do you engage with the guitar community, and what role do you see Grainger Guitars playing in inspiring new generations of guitarists?

We enjoy doing guitar shows when we can. It’s nice to get the guitars out there into peoples hands.

We just hope that people like what we do and that it inspires them to make music.

How do you see the future of electric guitar manufacturing evolving, and how is Grainger Guitars preparing for these changes?

Trends seems to come and go when it comes to guitars. I think if you find your niche and stick to it you should be fine. Just do everything to the best of your abilities and concentrate on the details (because they matter). You will find your market.

What advice would you give to aspiring luthiers who want to combine engineering principles with guitar making?

Go for it, just go about the process in the same way you would for any part you are making. Think of it as just another part you need to machine. The knowledge on how to best machine certain woods will come with time.