When you commission a custom guitar from Fair Built Guitar Co in western Loudoun County, you're not just purchasing an instrument—you're investing in a deeply personal creative partnership. Martin Crawford's handcrafted guitars represent months of artisanal work, from wood selection through final setup, each step deliberate and informed by decades of lutherie expertise. This guide walks you through the entire Fair Built process, so you understand exactly how your dream instrument comes to life.

What Happens During Your Initial Consultation with a Loudoun County Guitar Builder?

Your journey with Fair Built Guitar Co begins with a detailed conversation between you and Martin Crawford. During this consultation, Martin asks about your musical style, playing preferences, tonal goals, and budget. He discusses wood options—whether you prefer the warmth of mahogany, the brightness of spruce, or the unique character of reclaimed tonewoods. This is where your vision takes shape. Martin asks probing questions about action height, neck profile, fingerboard radius, and hardware preferences. He shares examples of previous builds, showing you the range of finishes, inlays, and customizations available. This phase typically lasts 1–2 hours and sets the foundation for your custom build. Martin documents every preference so there's zero ambiguity moving forward.

How Does Martin Crawford Source and Prepare Wood for Your Custom Build?

Wood selection is where Fair Built's reputation for quality truly shines. Martin sources premium tonewoods from trusted suppliers, carefully selecting pieces that match your tonal preferences and aesthetic vision. He evaluates moisture content, grain structure, and acoustic properties before any wood enters the workshop. Once selected, wood is stored in climate-controlled conditions to ensure stability. For the body, Martin selects figured tops—premium veneers that showcase natural beauty—paired with high-quality back and side woods. Neck wood is chosen for strength and straightness, typically premium mahogany or harder woods that resist warping. Fingerboard wood, usually ebony or rosewood, is hand-planed and prepared to exact specifications. This preparation phase takes weeks, ensuring that every piece of wood destined for your guitar meets Fair Built's exacting standards. The care taken here directly impacts your instrument's longevity and tonal character.

What's Involved in the Actual Building and Assembly Process?

The build itself is where Martin Crawford's lutherie mastery becomes evident. Work begins with body construction—bending and shaping the sides to match your specifications, carefully gluing and clamping them to the top and back. Every joint is hand-fitted for perfect sealing. The neck is shaped and fretted with precision, using traditional methods combined with modern accuracy. Martin hand-dresses every fret, crowning and polishing them to ensure perfectly even action across the entire fingerboard. The guitar is then assembled, with the neck carefully fit and glued to the body. Hardware—tuning machines, bridge, nut, and any custom components you've chosen—is installed and adjusted. This phase demands absolute focus and craftsmanship; Fair Built builds guitars one at a time, never rushing. Depending on complexity and customization, the build process takes 8–12 weeks. During this time, Martin may send you progress photos, keeping you engaged and excited about your instrument's development.

How Does Fair Built Guitar Co Complete the Finish and Final Setup?

Once the structure is complete, attention turns to finishing and setup—the final details that transform a guitar into a professional-grade instrument. Martin applies your chosen finish, whether a traditional nitrocellulose lacquer, modern polyurethane, or hand-rubbed oil. Each coat is carefully sanded and buffed, building depth and protection while preserving wood grain visibility. The guitar is then set up to concert standards: the nut is precisely cut for optimal playability, the bridge is shaped and fitted for perfect string height, and the truss rod is adjusted to achieve your preferred neck relief. Intonation is checked and adjusted across all frets. Martin hand-strings the guitar, brings it up to pitch gradually, and then performs a comprehensive tonal assessment, making micro-adjustments to hardware or components if needed. The final inspection includes a full audio recording, ensuring the guitar meets Fair Built's quality benchmarks. You receive not just an instrument, but a documentation packet including setup notes, wood species information, and maintenance recommendations. The entire process—from consultation to delivery—represents Martin's commitment to creating a truly custom, playable, tonally superior instrument built specifically for you.

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