Kevin Chilcott

Luthier

SOME  'GUITAR' COMMENTS

The Latest First..... No 17

17... Hi Kev,
Well would you believe it, there I was surfing the net for bass bits when I stumbled across your page with a picture of myself with the pink Electra bass. Yes, I'm Matt and that was me playing the bass with Goliath.
I absolutely loved that bass, and to this day wish I could get hold of it again. I think it ended up as a p/x deal on something else, not too sure.
It was lovely to play and looked amazing. It was nice to see again, and if you hear of it being on sale at any time please do drop me a line 'cos I'd love to have it back again. So thank you for the blast from the past, it's good to know it's still alive and well.

Regards, Matt Woods.

Hi Kev.
Yes, that definitely is my old bass in the pictures, I have to admit the damage on the tip of the headstock was me, I remember doing it!!
The only modification I made was to replace the faulty pickup.
Are you still making basses?
I took a trip down memory lane and wrote a little review for you. Through rose tinted glasses perhaps, but I have fond memories of her and it probably shows.

Regards, Matt Woods.

Click for Review

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16...How's it going Kevin? 

I just got a chance to check your website. I thought the whole site was awesome!
The history page was very interesting to see. It's pretty amazing that anybody could find "The Shop", 
but I'm sure they thought it was worth it when they found the place. 
I wanted to thank you for the experience of being able to gain a better understanding and  
admiration for the guitar. 
Since we were at your home in Wales I can't quit thinking about the possibility of being able to build 
my own guitars. 
I'm particularly interested in acoustic guitars. I've played almost exclusively acoustic for about five
years now and I think it's especially satisfying to play an instrument that rings so nice that it leaves
you with the shakes. There's nothing like it. 

The Junior model you let me play was so solid and everything so balanced that it was flawless. 
I would love to own one of your dreadnought models at some point in my life. 
Until then if you might have any advice on a starting point for a D-model guitar or just want to let me 
know how things are going please e-mail me back. 

Tell your family D'nita, Jessica, Gay, and Texall said hello and Merry Christmas. 

Thanks again, cheer's! 

Tex.   19.12.04
(Ohio USA)

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15...Hi there!

Photo of me in the shop with my custom "Mark Sanders" Royal guitar.

Whilst it has more than a passing resemblance to the Jackson Randy Rhoads model it does of course benefit from being thinner, lighter and has much improved access to the higher frets. Constructed with wings of Paduak, flame maple neck and centre-piece, and quilted maple top, together with sharkfin inlays on rosewood fingerboard, EMG 81 bridge pickup, DiMarzio Dual Sound Neck pickup, Schaller Machineheads and Kahler Pro Trem it is the "Mutts Nuts".

Can't remember date it was made exactly? Around the time you made the first instruments for Tigertailz. Still have it and would never, ever part with it.

I'm currently playing Bass with House of Kane (check us out on website www.houseofkane.com) which is loads of fun. We just did a gig in the Vic Bars in Newquay with tons of backline and a 4Kw PA rig (great!) and on 24th April are playing the Lemon Grove at Exeter University (and a 10Kw PA!).   

Will have to sort out some more photos for you.

Cheers!

Mark  01.01.04
(Exeter UK) 

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14..... Review of “Cherry” - My Royal DCS Junior

The story of how I came by Cherry, one of Kevin’s first guitars and built ‘on his Mum’s kitchen table’ in 1982 is told elsewhere on this site. Find it yourselves - Kevin will probably put a link in here because he’s a thoughtful and thorough guy, but I’d prefer it if you just stumbled across it by accident. Anyone who loves guitars should spend some time getting lost on this site, learning about Kevin and his art.

This isn’t really a review – I don’t think I know enough to offer what I’d call proper, informed criticism and because I’m a left-handed player, the number of guitars I can use as reference points is very limited. So this is more of a ‘hymn of praise’ to a work of art from a humble player.
The difference between ‘craft’ and ‘art’… is in the intention of the maker rather than the purpose of the work.
A Les Paul is undeniably crafted, but is it art? I’ve looked at mine very hard, and played it harder but I can’t feel it or see it.
What did its makers mean by it? What was their motivation? To make a guitar? Music? Money? Production quotas and efficiencies?  

Cherry on the other hand, is not merely crafted, she is a work inspired by the delight her creator has in the conception of her making. Believe me, you can feel it – I bet there is something of Kevin in all his guitars. Not just the ‘blood, sweat, toil and tears’ either, I mean something that is actually ‘Kev’ - his spirit, genius, soul or whatever you want to call it.
Crucial to Kev’s art is his idea of what a guitar is for the player and the fact that he is creatively, chiefly concerned about the quality of your experience of playing rather than his of making. This makes a difference.

What do you feel in your factory produced Fender or your production line Les Paul, however brilliantly the pieces are assembled? The ghosts of other famous players?
These things are as much ‘brands’ as they are ‘guitars’.

It is a privilege to own Cherry, and joy to play her. Occasionally if I look down at my fingers (I close my eyes a lot during soloing) I get a shiver of pleasure from the sheer beauty and precision with which the frets ‘go into’ the fret-board (that’s a technical term, Kev) and then make a complete hash of the next phrase! This is my fault, but Cherry (and Kevin) will forgive me, if I get it right next try.

Cherry is the finest guitar I will ever own and the most rewarding I will ever play. Obviously, I don’t deserve it.

I wonder if Kev also made his Mum’s kitchen table? I wouldn’t mind owning that either.

Harry Attrill.
1^st September 2003.

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13..... Hello Kevin,

I used to own a Str*t with a Kahler trem, and yes it probably is the best unit,
but I’ve been told they’ve gone out of business ?  

Then I stumbled across your site.

I’m setting up a new Str*t and would love to get hold of another Kahler.
Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Also, your site is probably one of the best, and of course, Beautiful Guitars.

Thanks,

Marc.    12.51pm.  28th May 2003.

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12..... Kev,

I am selling my PRS - so when this goes I can get my custom build.

Regards,
Charles.     12:27am.  24th February 2003.

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11..... Hi Kevin,

I just found your site.  I found myself typing "Royal Guitars" into Google today for no good reason.  I searched years ago without much luck so finding your site was a bit of a treat.

I think the Royal Medusa I own was the retail demo instrument.  I worked in Cranes of Cardiff for a year in 1988 when Nigel brought the guitar in.  I had never played such a fast neck or responsive trem.  I thought it was amazing and the drummer from my band (who also worked in Cranes) said, "you gotta have it !" (that's the way drummers talk) :-)

As I understand it this one is made from Pad’auk and was the only one made from this wood.
The Royal was my main guitar throughout the nineties and seriously affected my sound and style. The Kahler was always brilliant and I probably overdid things in the dive-bombing stakes for a couple of years!  After one gig Al, the bass player from Jesus Jones said, "you like your whammy don't you?"  He wasn't wrong. 

Playing the Royal made me a better player.  It seemed to reward precise playing.  Since the end of the nineties I have acquired a pretty big guitar collection and the Royal doesn't get the attention it deserves.  Seeing your site has reminded me to get her out and reminisce.  And maybe a dive-bomb or two.

I thought I should send you a pic.

Cheers and thanks for a great guitar.

Ashley Jones.     12:26pm.  27th January 2003.

 
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10..... Hi Kev!

Thanks for getting in touch so soon. I'm glad I'm finally in contact with you. I have always wondered about the genius who built the Royal Angel. She was purchased in London in 1990. I eventually discovered that the Angel was the key to the guitar sound I was looking for. 
Napalm Death has a trademark guitar sound because of you. 
When we got our ‘Dual Rectifiers’ many years ago, I learned that that was the best sounding, and most comfortable guitar for live and especially for the studio. I always recorded and played live with this Angel guitar.

Every guitar magazine was told about this guitar in every interview. No effects, just plug in and go. 
She also responds well to different tunings.

I have recorded more than 15 cds distributed around the world, and that guitar has been there with me to
Malaysia, South Africa, The Soviet Union, Columbia, Chile. Venezuela, Mexico City, Argentina,
Japan, Australia, Greece, all of Europe, UK, all of America, all of Canada, Brazil. Paraguay, Uruguay,
Czech, Many more places to come. We're going to Taiwan in March for two shows for 25,000 people, She's
appeared on T.F.I Friday, Zoe Ball, Nevermind the Buzzcocks, Arena, BBC Peel sessions, one recent radio
session, 7 Music videos, We have a new DVD where the V is in abundance.

She has been used on albums by Carcass, and Pitch Shifter, and some name producers often ring me up to borrow the guitar.

She’s been through over 1200 gigs in the past 12 years.

I was impressed when I found this guitar as she was already equipped with an EMG 81 and a Kahler trem.
I had a special flight case built for her as she was larger than the standard Gibson V, but still has taken some abuse, she’s still has a long way to go. I'll never leave that guitar.

In London on Wednesday some stage diver knocked her sending us both to the canvas. She’s still holding up strong, but I really wish I had another Royal Guitar - V, E*plorer, St**t, Custom shape anything.

I have to change strings everyday to ensure that she holds up. I love her, I need another one please.
I hope you're satisfied in knowing that your 'Baby' has really had in impact in the music world in the last
decade, things will never be the same as that guitar has changed the shape of guitar sounds as far as the
industry standards are concerned. We have done some crazy music with her, she always cuts, always chunks and if she doesn't, then there is something wrong with the amp or the player.

Hopefully I will see you soon - she needs a new MOT.
 
Sincerely,
Mitch Harris
Napalm Death
Merry Christmas!          7:04pm. 19th December 2002. 

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9.....Hi Kevin,

It was great to find your website and finally get some info about my Electra guitar.  I have been searching for years on the web to get some more Info but to no avail.  So if you have time to tell me a little about my Guitar I would really appreciate it.  I bought it from Nik at Abbey Road, unfortunately I didn't have the cash to buy it when it first came in and I wish I had because it was still in its original state - EMG pickups and un-scalloped frets 21 and 22.

Anyway, fortunately it came back to Nik's but had Sperzal locking machine-heads, Pink Stevie Vai Di Marzio PAF Pro pickups (there was terrible wiring done on the pickups which still needs to be sorted) and worst of all a scalloped 22nd Fret! (I was Shocked when I saw it) but I traded in my Dean and worked all summer to make up the additional 545 quid and bought her for 895 quid   around 1990/1.

The best buy I ever made even with the mods.

I have had her ever since she survived numerous break-ins when I was at Uni in the worst part of Plymouth and also going overseas to Japan from 94-2002. I have just returned back.

The bodywork is still in good condition and she is my pride and joy, I would love to get her restored with the EMG's and the wiring redone.

I would love to know any info or history you have about the guitar and if you want any info from me please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards, 
John Riley.          6:32pm.  17th September 2002.

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8..... Hello,

I have a Royal Guitar. I bought it off Eddie Allen, the deputy Ed' of Guitarist Magazine, when I used to work there. I bought it around 1992 I think. He wanted a good home for it, and I obliged.

Eddie replaced the original machineheads with a Schaller locking mechanism, changed the pick-up to Seymour Duncan Trembucker and the bridge with the Kahler.

All I can remember is Eddie raving about the sound, and how the paint was cracking nicely... If I remember it took a custom PRS to replace it.  Praise indeed.

Cheers
Darryl.          11:23am.  4th September 2002.

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5..... Dear Kevin,

This is My Review…..

I met Kevin through his business partner Nigel when Royal Guitars was the up and coming UK guitar maker. The instruments were cutting edge designs and causing quite a stir. That was a time when musicians were demanding more from their instruments than the old school of Fender* and Gibson* could provide. The classic shapes and finishes were being stretched and moulded into new statements of aesthetic proportion. The search was on for excess - more tone, more sustain, more volume, more luxury, more expression !

For a player, surrounded by guitars in a music shop it is intoxicating. The fingers itch to play and the hands to touch the strings, bringing the wood and metal to life in a flurry of notes and chords. That Era was special for technology and was moving forward and the excitement greater than ever.

New tremolo systems with locks and rollers that could swoop the pitch through multi-octaves, and active pickups with highs and lows chosen according to the player’s whim became de rigueur. Veneers from a forest of different exotic woods adorned the new models as an explosion of creativity leapt forth.

Nowhere was this truer than at the hands of the independent luthiers.

Kevin Chilcott was such a talented and creative individual. His craftsmanship was peerless, from the shaping of neck and body, insetting the intricacies of mother-of-pearl and abalone designs, and to the extraordinary paint and lacquer work that was lovingly lavished on his guitars.

Some twelve years ago, I took a holiday in the South West of England and on my way home I visited the Royal Guitars workshop. If guitar shops are intoxicating, then the workshop is even more so. Here, the truth of all the hard work that goes into making that special instrument that will become cherished by its owner becomes clear. The love of music starts at the first hum of the saw and smell of wood shavings on the floor. Already the grain of mahogany is beginning to sing its first tune.

I had never played a Royal and so I picked up an instrument in the workshop. It had not yet been sprayed or had the electronics attached, but Kevin had strung it for his customer so that he could approve the shape of the neck. I fretted a note on one of the middle strings and plucked the string with my right hand. Without any amplifier feedback to breathe extra life into the string it vibrated beneath my finger pad in a most remarkable way. The strong tingling feeling didn’t die away as soon as it was born, as is so often the case with guitars, but the vibrating carried on, and without even hearing the note you could hear in your imagination the richness of it. 

There was no doubt in my mind that I should have one of these instruments.

I was to get to know that the feeling of that string under my finger was no fluke, but that this was the way these instruments were. They do not allow for a lazy player. The sound is powerful and precise and will show up faults in playing straight away. The sound will cut through any wall of sound and soloing in the stratosphere became a thing of pure musical expression unperturbed by worries that the instrument could not cope. It would take and give anything demanded.

It was a great sadness to me and many others to see Kevin fall ill and become unable to carry on creating these masterpieces. Yet, because of their rarity, they can be even more prized by their owners.

God willing, he will once again become well and strong and able to resume using this mighty gift. Whatever happens though, it is wonderful to see this site and know that at least in some way this small but significant part of rock history can be remembered and cherished.

Nick.          12:06pm  21st April 2002.

* NB - Fender and Gibson are registered names of the respective companies and all TMs are hereby acknowledged.

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4..... Hi There,

               My name is Dale, you might have heard of me via Big Norm.

Yep! I've got a royal. After looking at your site I guess it is A MEDUSA 

Junior and it is YELLOW.....cool !

When I got this from you, you were unsure what to call it as it was the

proto-type, in fact the lacquer was 'humming' fresh. 

You came around to an old friend of mines house in Teignmouth to give 

me the guitar.

My friend had the real pointy pink guitar that was used in a certain

Tigertailz video. 

Anyhow just thought I would say HI.

               Cheers for all the enjoyment I’ve had over the years and 

I am actually making custom acoustics for Brooks guitars now.

               Take care

                                DALE.   11:18am. 16th March 2002.

Reply : -

 Hi Dale,

Thanks very much for the mail.

It's great to hear from you  - 

must have seen you about -  1988… long time ago !

  I remember going to a house with both guitars… I think.

  Anyway.....

I'm so pleased you've still got her, and you've enjoyed her 

so much over the years - that means a lot to me - and it 

makes the whole thing for me.....worth while. A success 

story from my point of view which is brilliant as I hear 

so little about my guitars.

Thanks very much.

I wonder if you have any nice pix of your Medusa Jr, 

and even better with you playing her as well, and yes, 

she was The Prototype.

If you have any, it would be great if you could send 

some down - but I would love to see Her again.

Your Mates 'Pink Pointy' one is 'Simons Magenta' - 

on the site.

  If you're ever coming up to Wales you are most welcome 

to drop in anytime, and I'll give her a 'set up' for you, if 

you ever need one - but if you're working for Brooks... I 

expect you can do it yourself now - which is brilliant.

 Any help that I can give you is no problem - just drop me a line.

Thanks again,

All Best Wishes,

  Kev

  PS - Lyn dragged me out of bed to show me the mail - It was 

worth it... now, back to bed ! ( Bad day - Better Now.)

 9:25pm.  16th. March 2002.

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3..... hi kev,

the site is coming on nicely..

hows lyn & kids ?

its nice to see some pictures of the amazing guitars that you've built again.. 
i never even saw one of the razorback guitars ! 
so i hope you un earth a picture of one soon.

catch you soon,

big norm.   9:26am. 1st March 2002.

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