THIS IS OUR GALLERY, THESE ARE EITHER UNIQUE CUSTOM GUITARS BUILT HERE AT OUR UK WORKSHOP OR CLIENTS GUITARS CUSTOMISED HERE AT DEADLIGHT DESIGNS.

Gibson Night Hawk Custom. This guitar had a broken neck just below the headstock which was repaired using hardwood fillets and carbon fibre bonding agents for extra re-enforcement.
Originally an all black finish the client wanted a red Tiger stripe maple effect paint job to the face and the rest re-sprayed back to black as original.
The neck had a mother of pearl tree of life inlaid up the fretboard without removing the exsisting frets, we had to encorporate the dots within the tree of life design to keep as much of the original fretboard components as humanly possible.
A Gibson Mini humbucker was replaced at the neck position whilst a Seymour Duncan mini Humbucker and Hot Rails were placed at the bridge position.
Micro switches were added to provide series and paralell pick up options along with the original 3 way switch. All remaining components and hardware were as original Gibson parts.
Set up with Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings and low action. Gibson hardcase included.

Deadlight Designs Custom Built flying V, Built to Gibsons 1972 Body specifications.
Solid two piece Brazilian Mahogany, heavily carved and inlaid with Aluminium treadplate and banding. A one piece Walnut set neck with a smooth flow Ebony super wide skunk stripe for extreme speed shredding. An Indian Rosewood 24 fret finger board inlaid with a custom 33 piece solid aluminium Barbed wire winding up the fretboard. Fitted with a Seymour Duncan Super Distortion Bridge pick up and a Rare Charvel san Dimas in the neck position the Tonal qualities are unmatched. A recessed Roller tune-o-matic Bridge, string through body and the Graphite nut make for a ridiculous ammount of natural sustain.
Grover machine heads hold the tuning perfectly, schaller strap locks hold the guitar in place perfectly , Beautifully balanced and a pleasure to play.
Set up with Ernie ball 11-52 gauge strings and a super low action. Fitted Hard case included.

Blue Flame Custom finished bass guitar.
A client requested graphic applied to an exsisting finish, airbrushed blue flame body graphic and reversed flame silloette to the scratchplate graphic, finished in a nitro cellulose.
All original hardware and parts .
A stunning vibrant bass guitar created to turn heads and to keep turning heads for years to come.

The Ripsaw, Custom two piece ash solid body electric guitar, maple two piece strat style neck. The neck has a solid aluminium Ripsaw blade hand cut and inlaid into the 11-13 frets. The body has been finished in a dark bolt gun metal metallic paint with an airbrushed restricted area band graphic across the arm recess.Fitted with a strat style hard tail bridge and through body stringing to add resonance and sustain.
A Vintage PAF Schaller neck pick up and matching split poled humbucker at the bridge really give this guitar a rich and diverse sound.
The custom shaped and cut 5 bar treadplate really give this guitar the industrial look and feel.
set up with Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings and low action. This Guitar was sold and now belongs to a proud new owner. Soft carry case included.

1960's Fender tribute, " Fallen Rose " The body of this guitar is a 2 piece alder construction, the neck is a 1 piece maple with a vintage lacquer and narrow vintage fretwire.
At the 12th fret a mother of pearl rose with an ebony border sits whilst the rest of the markers are black dots along with the side markers.
The scratchplate was custom made from an Aluminium Fine grain Industial treadplate and fitted with a thin anti-micro vibration foam backing.
A Seth E Lover Seymour Duncan PAF chrome cased Humbucker was fitted at the neck position whilst an Original Fender Telecaster 1960's ashtray bridge plate and single coil were fitted at the bridge position.
The Hardware is all Original Fender usa made parts.
The body was finished in a Black Nitro-cellulose and a hand painted grey fallen rose graphic before the vintage clear coat was applied.
Set up with Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings. Fitted hardcase included.

Gibson studio Custom.
Stripped back to wood and re-sprayed in an olympic white nitro, a deep red airbrushed japanese samurai flag graphic applied and covered with a nitro clear coat.
Chrome pick up surrounds and hardware really complement the flag graphic.
The Original Gibson studio chrome covered pick ups were re-fitted along with all the original wiring loom and hardware.
The headstock was also re-finished in the olympic white with a chrome gibson logo applied.
Red speed knobs and a matching graphic back cavity cover really finished this guitar off.
set up with 9-42 gauge Ernie ball strings and super low action, Gibson Hardcase included

Gibson flying v customisation project. Originally a vintage cream colour the client wanted a Michael Shenker tribute two tone model .
Firstly the body and neck had to be stripped back and then re-finished in the contrasting black and white, this also features on the back of the neck and the headstock.
The client obtained the correct Seymour duncan upgrade pick ups but the neck version wasn't in the reverse black and white as he wanted so we painted that also to match in perfectly.
The scratchplate also had to have the split black/white added too.
We also provided the client with a reverse version on the truss cover and replaced the decal with a chrome Gibson version. It was all then clear coated, polished and re-built. Set up using Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings and snuggly put away in it's original Gibson flying v case.

Fender Jagmaster Custom, Originally a silver sparkle finish this one was stripped and re-sprayed using Black Nitro finish. The Original Squier decal was re-placed with a Fender version. A schaller D-tune Hipshot machinehead was added to the lower E string. The Pick ups were upgraded with Dimarzio distortion pu's and a hand painted scaled effect scratchplate was applied. A unique but classic looking guitar built with Rock in mind...

The Strato-KISS-ter, a Tribute graphic axe to the all time great American Rock band KISS.
This guitar started life as an unbranded strat copy and was re-finished in a Nitro jet black, the unique hand painted and airbrushed graphic was then applied.
We then sealed all the graphic work with several coats of a clear poly-urethane for extra durability.
A new neck was required so an upgraded strat copy neck was fitted. At the twelth fret a custom cut mother of pearl inlay logo was applied and the headstock was given the graphic treatment also.
A vibrant and eye catching axe was achieved and a real tribute to a classic Rock act of the 1980's.

Egmond Archtop, this 1960's Original Dutch Archtop was firstly customised by re-spraying it in a pearescent green colour then an airbrushed skull and bio jar effect graphic was applied.
Several clear coats protect the artwork.
An Original Fender 1978 Humbucker pick up was added at the neck position along with an Original Burns tri-sonic just below mounted in a Rosewood skulpted surround.
A custom made Rosewood and steel roller bridge was used with adjustable height & string spacing .
The original Egmond two part trapeze bridge mount was used along with Schaller straplocks and schaller m3 machineheads.
Mop top control knobs, 2 master volume and tone controls and a three way toggle switch were used to control the pick ups. Set up using Ernie Ball 10-46 gauge strings and fitted in an appropriate 1970's plush velvet lined hard case.

Ibanez Custom RG, The Graphic is a lava flow, using vibrant yellow and oranges with grey ash mounds breaking up in the flow.
Around the outer edge of the body are flashing red led's that run alternately around the body like a catherine wheel.
The pick ups are stock RG Ibanez models, the bridge is a Licensed Floyd Rose Speedloader.
Set up with Ernie Ball 9-42 gauge strings.
Another Striking graphic for a workhorse Ibanez Rg series guitar customised at Deadlight Designs

Ibanez Custom RG, The Graphic is Blue light cracking through the Black body. Using an airbrush to achieve the glow effect in graduating shades of blue.
Fitted with a set of active EMG Pick ups and a lo-pro Ibanez bridge.
Set up with an extremely low action ready for metal grindcore chuggin!
A Striking graphic for a workhorse Ibanez Rg series guitar.

Fender stratocaster custom, " Rusty Jack " a custom built basswood strat body finished in a Rusty Union Jack metal effect graphic, even the pick up covers and control knobs were customised in the metal rust effect.
Fitted with a set of 1994 Fender USA single coil pick ups and an Original Fender Vintage stamped bridge.
We used Vintage Kluson styled Schaller machine heads to retain the tarnished relic look of this guitar.
The action and tone of this guitar were unsurpassed and it really fell into the classic strat mould beautifully.
Fitted strat hardcase and rust coloured strap were included.

Ibanez EX series custom, " Lightening " a stunning lightening graphic was applied over a new black base coat and then clear coated in a poly finish.
Fitted with a set of EMG Select Passive pick ups in a SSH configuration.
A chrome pick up surround was fitted around the bridge humbucker pick up and the Original Ibanez lo-pro Floyd Rose bridge was used.
A stunning guitar with a stunning low action using Ernie Ball 9-42 gauge strings.

Schecter Custom " Demoneye " a dark and broody guitar not for the faint hearted.
A very dark and evil looking red airbrush embellishes the contour lines of this schecter whilst the black darkens it's very core.
Fitted with a Seymour Duncan Super Distortion sh-6 at the bridge and an Original JB 59 at the neck really gave this guitar it's versatiliy.
The through body stringing along with the roller bridge, Sperzel non-locking machine heads and graphite nut really gave this guitar ridiculous ammounts of sustain.
1 master volume and 1 tone control were all that she needed!!
she was created to ROCK and thats what she did!

"Armadillo" stratocaster custom copy.
Custom built Basswood strat body with a unique armoured shell graphic in metal / rust effect.
A rosewood 22 fretboard and maple neck with mop dot markers.
Original Fender vintage stamped syncronised tremelo and single coil pick ups with the rust metal effect applied.
A great action on a great looking guitar never goes a miss! this axe was built to Riff and Rock, the bass wood body and single coil pick ups complement and counteract each other creating a more warm bassy tone with pleasant vibrant mids unlike the standard stratocaster twing & twang sound you get from an alder body.

Washburn N2 Custom " Snakebite ".
Black Nitro re-finish with a skeletal snake hand painted graphic applied. A stunning snake skin custom scratchplate adorns the Dimarzio pick ups in a HsH configuration.
The Bridge is a Schaller Fine tuning hard tail bridge.
The Headstock was Fitted with Schaller machineheads, Bone nut and also had a handpainted graphic with a snakeskin truss cover.
1 Master volume control and master tone with a 5 way switch contolled the pick up tonal variations and really made this axe sing!!!

Ibanez Rg Series " SLIPKNOT " Custom.
A dark grey and rust effect body colour was applied followed by a highly detailed hand painted graphic of the band members.
The Slipknot logo and Mottiff were added in a off cream colour to really stand out and match in with the graphic.
All Original Ibanez RG Hardware and parts, Knife edge tremelo, Maple and rosewood fretboard with Drop Icicle mother of pearl inlay.
The Headstock Ibanez logo was also custom painted in the Slipknot font style and colour.

Custom hand built Strat carved top.
Rare Padduak one piece body construction, maple neck with a lovely wenge fret board inlaid with an elaborate mother of pearl and abelone floral scrolling design.
The body has a deep carved skull and shallow carved painted roses adorning the upper recess.
Fitted with Fender Strat Original nid and bridge single coils and a Seymour Duncan Hot stacked humbucker at the neck.
Originally a Roller adjustable bridge which has now been changed for a Tuneomatic bridge for intonation precise adjusting. The scratchplate is custom made with a dark pirate map graphic that fits around the carved sections of the body and bridge unit.

Ibanez RG series custom " Venom "
A highly detailed Venom character airbrush and hand painted graphic, the background is a skyline city scene with swirling blues and purples for the sky. The scratchplate has a Embossed web pattern upon it. Fitted with the Original IBz Humbuckers at the neck and bridge and a seymour Duncan hotrail at the mid wired in sequence to both humbuckers so on each setting the hotrail was made active to give more clarity to the stock standard output pickups .

Custom Stratocaster " Shadowcaster "
Custom built ash body with Floyd Rose'
Nitro black finish with barbed wire hand painted graphic and metal effect scratchplate.
Fitted with a Gain boost, true bypass ,led on/off switch, master vol, master tone, Coil split micro switches on both humbuckers and a 5 way switch.
At the neck is a Dimarzio X2N, the mid is a fender bridge pick up with higher out put and at the bridge is a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker. Fender standard USA Machineheads were fitted along with a roller nut, the strings were specially tide using a non slip knot to utilise the floyd rose tremelo and roller nut functions.
The neck had Deadlight Sidelights installed to see in the dark and to produce ambient shadow underlighting to the players face.
At the twelth fret a custom cut mother of pearl Barb was inlaid.
set up using 10-46 gauge Ernie Ball strings and kept in a fitted Strat hardcase.

" The Relic " A hybrid mish mash of chosen guitar parts.
The body is a Yamaha Pacifica, stripped back to the wood with the grain in places opened up to resemble drift wood, a highly worn and reliced airbrushed sunburst was applied in places to give it the "Road worn" look.
The neck is a chevron inlaid Les Paul scale and style bolt on neck of which the headstock was reliced to match the body.
The scratchplate was custom cut in a cream single ply and Fender noiseless cobalt pick ups were installed.
A hardtail bridge was fitted along with chrome 3 aside machineheads. A great playing and looking guitar built predominantally for studio use.

Alhambra Acoustic Nylon string classical guitar.
This was my first ever painted guitar, completely hand painted and straight from my imagination.
Highly detailed image of a huge swirling void around the sound hole which is sucking up the grave yard scene below, a fallen angel is desperately trying to remain earth bound.
At the very bottom of the picture are tombstones set out to spell the words Custom Graphix, this guitar was used for promotional purposes in a local music shop back in 1996 I think.

Jackson Dinky custom " Firework "
The client requested a firework graphic and sent through a jpeg image of his chosen design.
We copied that graphic perfectly onto the face of the guitar and then sealed with clear coat to protect the image whilst being used.
All hardware and pick ups are stock Jackson manufactured.

Deadlight Guitars,my first ever custom built guitar body and metal scratchplate.
A chambered High density fibre board construction, painted in a Purple Acrylic car paint and some detailed hand painted graphics including the word creeper( my bands name ).
It started life as a cheap strat copy and all the hardware was as is. The neck was an interesting one, originally it had Spider written on it but as I started to sand off the name from below came the Epiphone logo so I decided to retain that and incorperate it into the headstock design. Check out the placement of the input jack!.

Dean mini z guitar, customised at Deadlight designs.
This guitar was bought from Ebay without a neck so I built a shrimp fork custom neck to retain it's Dean characteristics.
A Gold flame graphic was applied along with gold hardware including a wrap around bridge.
I fitted Seymour Duncan designed pick ups HB103's they made the guitars tone muddy but clear, If you like the grunge sound then Hb103's are perfect.

Zakk Wylde Les Paul, DD customshop Tribute
Originally a 1960's-70's Kay Les Paul copy.
Firstly this guitar was re-sprayed in a lime green colour and then the black bulleye graphic was added.
These were both airbrushed to add definition, then the purple flame and zakk wylde Body silloette were applied in reverse colours. Silver sparkle smoke trails and a flame micro border were added to give more detail.
Fitted with an EMG Zakk Wylde Active pick up set and grover machineheads. The remaining hardware was from the original Kay Les Paul copy. The Headstock was also given the graphic bullseye treatment and adorns the Kay,Deadlight and Zakk wylde logos and signitures

Yamaha six string bass,
Dream theatre signed bass guitar, the client didn't want to lose the autographs whilst playing so Deadlight Designs applied a good coat of a matt Poly-urethane clearcoat.
We rebuilt the bass and set it up and sent it safely back to it's proud owner.
It will always be a piece of history and a proudly owned Instrument.

Swamp ash Custom stratocaster,
This guitar was built for the client by one of our main competitorS and shIpped back to hiM un-finiShed.
The Original spec was for the guitar to be to exact Fender specifications using a open grained swamp ash and finished in an Olympic white nitro.
It came back to him in a dust coat of cream which was very patchy and didn't sit in the grain at all! the client wasn't best pleased so Called on Deadlight designs.
We re-finished the body in an Olympic Nitro white which was applied in several thin coats to adhere to the swamp ash properly and settle in the open grained sections, the client was over the moon with the finish and rebuilt the guitar using vintage Fender parts and sent us this photo, another happy customer.

Fender stratocaster, A roadworn workhorse strat,
The client chose the southern Redneck scratchplate and Hotrail single coil pick ups.
A wilkinson Trem unit was fitted along with a set of locking gold Sperzel machine heads
We set it up with Ernie Ball 9-46 gauge strings.
A pure American Gig monster to be played not to be admired.

Susuki Classical guitar.
Resprayed in a pearlescent blue colour with a silver tribal pattern adorning the upper section of the body.
Something a bit different and more interesting to look at.
Soft case included, fully set up and a custom hand cut bone nut.

Jackon v, james hetfield, Metallica copy
 " The Grynnch "
Re-sprayed in black and then the green graduating tonal airbrushing work was applied to the flames.
Clearcoated in a Nitro finish.
Rebuilt using all the Original Jackson hardware but upgrading the pick ups to active EMG's.

Deadlight Custom built guitar, "DD Demonic".
Walnut capped solid ash body, set brazilian mahogany neck with ebony fretboard.
Custom contoured body in a unique Deadlight Demonic shape.
Fitted with Seymour Duncan Blackouts, Emg After- burner,2 master volume controls, a D-tune hipshot, and Killswitch.
The roller bridge is framed by a detailed carved Ebony pheonix and the controls set at an angle on the lower bout. This guitar is owned and played by Deadlight Designs very own mr Robin Jupp.

Ibanez seven string custom.
Swamp ash custom built body with Tigers claw and monkey grip.
Fitted with a Fernandes Sustainer at the neck and Dimarzio pick ups.
The fretboard was scalloped from the 17th to the 24th fret with a graduating compound radius ( close up images can be found on the fretboards page).
The fretboard was inlaid using real screwheads.
The owner of this axe stained the body using a water born deep red stain and then a blowtorch to add the burnt sections.
Winner of Guitar of the Month at Metalguitarist.org.

ESP / LTD custom. Rage against the machine tribute.
Originally a dark red Trans finish to be re-sprayed in an Olympic white.
The Graphic was taken from the album cover 'The battle of Los Angeles' and hand painted.
Fitted with EMG/ESP pick ups, Sperzel locking machineheads and a roller bridge.
The Headstock was given the ESP Custom hand painted logo to really finish this tribute guitar off.
Set up and fitted into it's hardcase.

ESP Mirage Custom.
Another Ebay buy from a client, once recieved he realised that the body wood jonts had split open, the back of the neck had a huge bulbous bulge and the binding was damaged. These issues were primarily sorted out, the guitar was then sanded back into shape and re-sprayed in a high gloss Nitro Black finish.
All hardware replaced and the wiring re-done .
Finally a full set up using Ernie Ball Heavy bottom, Skinny top strings.