Kevin Chilcott

Luthier

SOME  'WEBSITE' COMMENTS

The Latest First..... No18

18.

Hi Kevin

Just thought I would thank you for a really great tutorial, I find the text and photos very informative, just wish you had more time to complete the page.
I found the page while surfing info and stuff about Wishbone Ash, in particular the great Mr. Powell, I have been a long time fan of WA.
I have made a couple of guitars over the years, but they have been mainly 'bodges'. 
I am currently trying to build a Str*t like thing with 2 x humbuckers all front controls mounted to the body not scratch plate.  The thing I found most helpful was the bit on router templates, as I have always been a bit lazy about making these, but I must say they really make the job easy when you have them. I used to shape with spokeshaves and rasps etc. but using a template and router,  wow heaven!!

I look in envy at the the creations you have made, the Vee's are really cool, and I love the piezo thing. 
I would like to add this feature to my Tokai V.

Again thanks for a great web page, I visit every other day or so just to see if anymore has been added.  Don't stop creating these masterpieces as people like me need to have something to envy......

Regards

Clive.  22.01.05

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17. 

Hi Kevin,

How are you, I hope that life is treating you well.

Just thought I would drop you a line to see if you are off to Mansfield this weekend for the WA Convention.
I've just ordered my tickets (last minute as usual) so if you are there look out for a greying 6ft bloke on his own 
(wife & daughters just let me get on with it - my mates prefer photography, hill walking or Dr Feelgood!)

If past experience is anything to go by I shall have a permanent grin on my chops (when the band is playing anyway!).
I hope that you are planning to go; it would be nice to meet up face to face for a chat.

I have been surfing your web site from time to time; it really is the business; every time I find or learn something new 
about guitar making or your guitars in particular, what a wonderful legacy - you have equipped some very talented 
musicians with the tools to do what they do so well - this in itself is a fantastic contribution to British musical culture - 
what's more each of the instruments that you have created is a work of art in it's own right!

You should be a cultural hero with a building named after you or something. 
Who knows in 200 years time you may be to guitar making what Stradivarius is to Violins.

Hope to see you at the weekend,

Best wishes to you and yours,
Phil.  28th October 2004.

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16.

Hi Kev, 

I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your website and your story.  
I have read every word and viewed every wonderful picture with great interest and awe.  
My name is Lee Phillips and I live in the Detroit area and have been a guitar player professionally for many years. I am still playing to this day and love it more with every passing year.  
Your instruments are wonderful tributes to your craftsmanship and fortitude and I am so glad you have given us an opportunity to see your work and shared your life with us. 
When I was younger and before Gibson Instruments moved I used to go every year to Kalamazoo Michigan (only about 2 hours from here) and tour the workshops and talk to the wonderful craftsmen there.  Your trade and passion is something I had the pleasure of seeing in those peoples eyes.  
I know I am not the most eloquent writer Kev but I felt I must tell you these things.  I will include a link to my current bands website If you would like to take a look sometime.  http://mywebpages.comcast.net/wphillips111425MI/   

In the meantime Kev, All the best to you and your family and God bless you and I am hoping you will soon get relief from your medical problems. 

Lee Phillips, Detroit Michigan USA.  7th June 2004.

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15.

Hello Kevin,

I have just spent a happy half hour or so browsing your web site. 
Thank you for taking the trouble to create such an interesting site. 
The section on building an ‘Angel’ is particularly fascinating to me for a number of reasons;

1. It is always good to understands how a craftsman works and achieves perfection.
2. I have been a Wishbone Ash fan for 32 years since I first heard them at the age of 13 
   and I have long admired Andy Powell’s playing and Flying V guitars.
3. I built my first guitar when I was 14 from a design published in Everyday Electronics magazine, 
   I even wound my own pickups!. 
   This travesty of your art has since gone to guitar heaven, if only your web site had been around 
   in 1972 I wouldn’t have made the mistakes that I did!

Congratulations on building such a beautiful guitar for ‘the master’ himself, I look forward to hearing 
and seeing it at the end of April when I plan to see the band in Stratford-upon-Avon . 
Close to my home town of Coventry .

When I have finished rebuilding my house I might make the time to build another guitar; you have 
certainly provided plenty of inspiration.

Many thanks, best wishes and good luck!

Phil Griffiths. 16.04.04

Kev,

Your web site is great because the content is great! Your site is a genuine labour of love, 
the enthusiasm and dedication that has gone into it, just leaps out and grabs you – particularly 
if you are interested in the subject.

PHIL. 19.04.04

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Be safe and take care

Andy.    1:48pm.  3rd June 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..... Hi Kev.

Love the site. It's growing richer all the time - it must take some up-keep. I headed straight for the 'Construction' area  - it's great - I love it [if you're expecting negative feedback I'm afraid your not getting any] it's a very interesting and informed site - which is, obviously, the reason why it takes up so much of your time.

It's worth it,

T.     1:44pm.   26th February 2003.

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9..... Hi Kev,

I have had a look through the website and really like it, it's a little tough to navigate but I reckon it is almost there – just needs a little more work.

Thanks for your mails, I am chuffed to bits to get your info about my ‘Cheese’ and the info and other pix of the "HOLEY" guitars (particularly the BC Rich who seem to have even copied the hole diameters and layout !!!)  However the Royal still seems to be the HOLYest! 

On my first mail I wanted to say that I fell in love with the Cheese as soon as I saw her, not only did she look amazing but she played like no other guitar I have ever played before and since then.  Every time I took her to a music shop in Japan and the US everyone was awestruck by the way she plays and the offers I have had have been endless.

Before I bought the Royal I used to change my Guitars every year or so and I always bought by brand name so I am so happy that I saw the light, and I will be taking the Cheese to my grave ! 

I think it is impossible to improve on the Electra - or is it Kev ?

Cheers for now,
John

P.S Love the Electra Mk I you just put up  ! !

4:32pm.   23rd September  2002.

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8..... Hi There,

Thanks so much for the replies.  I can't tell you enough how happy I was to receive them.  It was great !

Just seen my name on your website !  Wow, what a surprise !  I didn't realise it was there.  Now you have my email, you can update it the number of guitars I have to four.

By the way, the website is great.  You've done a really good job, and the info about care for guitars is something I wish I'd read years ago !  Keep it up ! 

I'm on the case with getting a decent camera to take photo's of the guitars.  As soon as the photos are taken I'll email some to you, and should be able to post some better quality ones to you as well. 

I may even get a couple of mp3 recordings done using the guitars for you to put on the site.  After all, they weren't made just to look nice!

In the meantime, take care and thanks once again for making a guitar player very happy.

Every blessing

DT   12:51pm. 20th August 2002.

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7..... Hi Kev,

Thanks for the email, I have had another quick look at the site.
What can I say mate, its a credit to you.
I only hope that it has given you the incentive to use your obvious 
talents again in the near future.

Thanks again for the link on the site, I haven't forgotten yours 
when - I have my site redesigned, it will be the first link to go on.

Regards,
Anthony.  2:20am. 24th June 2002.

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6..... Royal Guitars.

Kevin Chilcott (Luthier) is a really very interesting site. Lots of info on the guitars he made and of his history. It really is a great shame he doesn't still make them.

Ken McDermott.   May 2002.

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3..... Kevin,
I've had a look at the web site and boy, have you been working hard ! 
I really like the background and the choice of font colours. 
It's an attractive site to look at it whilst being quick to load still. 
Lots of links which is good, and they're easily identified.

God bless

Nick.   1:24am. 28th February 2002.

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