Building a custom guitar is as much an art as it is a science, and at Clement’s Guitars, every detail is handled with care, precision, and creativity.
Step 1: Collaboration and Vision
The journey begins with a conversation. When a customer approaches Trey with an order, they discuss the model, desired color scheme, pickups, and custom touches such as inlays. For Trey, this step is critical to understanding the client’s vision.
His approach to design is guided by a combination of customer input, his fine arts background, and the natural character of the wood itself. “The woods tell me what they want to be,” Trey explains. When inspiration needs a boost, he might even turn to coloring book-style sketches to test different aesthetics.
Step 2: Selecting the Finest Materials
Clement’s Guitars are built from only the highest quality materials. Trey sources 5A flame maple, Genuine Mahogany, and ziricote for their tonal richness, durability, and striking visual appeal. With a dedication to sustainability, he also uses ziricote, a sustainable alternative to ebony.
Finding the right materials isn’t an easy pursuit. Trey spends hours searching for the perfect pieces of wood, rejecting anything that doesn’t meet his exacting standards. The result? Instruments that are as beautiful as they are functional.
Step 3: Precision Craftsmanship
The building process starts with two carefully milled blanks of wood for the body. After chambering, shaping, and gluing, the guitar begins to take shape. While Trey uses CNC machines for some tasks, much of the work involves detailed hand sanding, scraping, and fine-tuning.
For necks, Trey uses solid billets, strengthened with double carbon fiber rods to prevent warping. His unique “diving board” neck joint eliminates the limitations of traditional designs, offering greater comfort and accessibility for players.
Every detail, from the handwound pickups to the polished nitrocellulose lacquer finish, reflects the Clement’s Guitars commitment to excellence. “It’s about doing something and doing it well,” Trey says.
Step 4: Personalization and Signature Details
Clement’s Guitars offer a range of personalized features, from the “Bowie Knife” 12th fret marker to unique color schemes. Each guitar is hand-signed, dated, and serial numbered, adding a personal touch to these handcrafted instruments.
For Trey, the goal is to balance aesthetics and functionality. He collaborates closely with clients to ensure their design requests enhance rather than detract from the overall look and feel.
Step 5: Testing and Perfection
Before a guitar is delivered, it undergoes rigorous testing. Trey listens for buzzing, grounding issues, and volume consistency, while also adjusting the guitar’s action to the client’s preference. String action and spacing are measured to tolerances as fine as 0.002 inches—a testament to the Clement’s dedication to playability.
The Reward of Craftsmanship
For Trey, building guitars isn’t just a job; it’s a passion. “I enjoy the process from start to finish,” he says. Among his standout builds are the Bush Foundation 32 Series #41-100, a challenging but rewarding project, and the stunning “Flareon,” a personal favorite for its vivid color and exceptional symmetry.
Each Clement’s Guitar tells a story—a story of creativity, precision, and a deep love for the craft. Whether you’re a professional musician or an enthusiast, owning a Clement’s Guitar means owning an instrument that’s truly one of a kind.
Interested in learning more or ordering your own custom Clement’s Guitar? Visit Clement’s Guitars to explore Trey’s work and start your journey to the perfect instrument.