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Gary Cooper

@partscasterconcierge

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Custom Guitars
Accepting build requests through my site

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

“Howl” - “Moon” - “Fate”

A new selection of handmade plectrums has arrived from @heavyrepping and they are smashing.

I requested a modest order from John and he surprised me by including one of every model in his current line up. These are just a few of my favorites from the batch.

If you’re not familiar with his work, I highly suggest checking out his page. You’ll quickly pick up on what an absolute gem he is and how much attention goes into his craft. If you’re a fan of unique guitar accoutrements, your pick box will not be complete without one of his creations rattling around in there. by @partscasterconcierge

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3 months ago

A fresh build is on the way. by @partscasterconcierge

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We come together and form like Voltron.

Alex is one of my favorite collaborative counterparts. @robotgraves is putting out some of the highest quality aluminum work in the guitar game right now. Here are some of the guitars Alex and I have produced in the last couple years.

Aluminum is where it’s at, in case you didn’t know. And did you spot that THRD? A tuneable tailpiece is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed.

Did I mention I’ve got a couple spots left for custom builds with delivery in 2026? Hit me up with your ideas. We will definitely cook up something sweet just for you. Ready to accommodate all styles as long as you play heavy metal. Drop by my website for more information on how to get started with a new custom build. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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Number ten. The final build for 2025.

I don’t have much to say here. This one is fresh and I’m still processing the fact that I shipped a guitar to @thewesborland.

@robotgraves rules. Wouldn't have been possible without Alex.

Happy New Year! taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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Number nine from 2025 is a collaboration with @jmlinstruments.

This guitar is much like the fifth build I put out this year in that it too almost didn’t happen. The incredible top came from a batch I picked up from @arizonaguitarwood in 2024. I made some plans to do a few builds with another maker and this was the first piece that was planned. Unfortunately, they ended up having to pull out after I had already started things up. I also worked myself into a corner after having some issues getting the binding to form around the upper horn.

Other frustrations with the project and just my state at the time nearly lead me to throwing the whole thing in the fire as I was burning scraps one night. I didn’t, obviously. Jay convinced me a few days later to bring it down to see what could be done. Next thing I knew, it wasn’t just the binding that he solved but it was all carved up, ready for sanding and lacquer. He pulled a neck out from his basement that he had made a couple years ago when we had made a batch of guitars together and it serendipitously had appointments that made it a perfect match for the body.

Amongst the other things to be thankful for this year, Jay helped me get on at the museum last spring. We were sitting at our desks, sharing David Lee Roth trivia and peering at each other through one of the overly elaborate tiny doorways that he built so people are less isolated in their cubicles at work - and I threw out the idea for adding some art to the neck plate. I could see that I had just piqued his interest and he delivered a sketch the next day.

When all was said it done, this guitar came out better than anticipated. The icing on the cake is that when we started floating it around for sale, @soundedlikeloss promptly claimed it. This is such a unique instrument in looks and tone, plus it has some honest sentiment behind it. The fact that it ended up with Allen is such a testament to the weird and beautiful way the universe works. He has guitars from Jay and I both already, plus his band @reflectivore___the_band is phenomenal. The music he makes and this guitar are perfectly complimentary. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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Eight is the undisputed heavyweight champ of 2025.

I don’t advertise them a whole bunch, but I’ve got custom packs of rolling papers made up with some art that @santosian did for me a few years ago. They sneak into every guitar case before I ship them out. @weedeaterband was in town a couple years back and after watching the boys crush for well over an hour, I took the opportunity to throw Dixie Dave a few packs of these papers as he was slithering through the crowd afterward.

Roll forward to the end of 2024 and I was floored when @deffshepherd hit me up about building a guitar for him. He had seen one of the clear pointy ones I did with @arikroper and presented me with an opportunity to build a tribute to the seminal “God Luck and Good Speed” album in the same fashion. I was trying so hard to not fanboy but couldn’t stop myself from saying “YES” fast enough. I mentioned sliding the packs of papers to the band while they were in town and lit right up when he said “I remember rolling one with those that night!” - so I sent him a full case of fresh papers along with his guitar when I finished it up.

14 pounds of acrylic and aluminum glory here, folks. The body design is pulled from a style I had developed a couple years back that Shep was drawn to. I had a first-gen neck from @electricalguitarcompany from trading a guitar to a friend the year before. It was from an early T-60 replacement run they did; I offered it up and let him know it had already seen a few shows in its day. He was like “Have you seen my gear? You think some scratches are going to bother me? LOLOL”

We contacted Arik and got him involved in the project. An ode to the quintessential “Wizard Fight”, the graphics feature some mystical sorcerers brooding before battle. Scott and the team from @obscuramfg assisted with UV printing on the metal work. Alex from @avedissianpickups showed up with some heat, too. This was definitely a collaborative effort and wouldn’t have turned out like it did without everyone’s help. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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The seventh build from 2025 was made for shreddin’.

What I learned from working with @lesserofme was that when someone comes at you with such style and intent, you trust the process and take the ride. Sal had been sitting on a neck from @robotgraves and had a strong vision for what he wanted me to do with it. My favorite part might be the name tag he had me put on the neck plate in honor of his pup. The whole project was just exciting to be a part of and felt like a bit of a stretch for me. Seems like the outcome has some universal appeal because this guitar was by far the most popular this year in terms of engagement on social media.

The body is made from alder, fully carved and contoured and you know he had to have that grip. I prepped everything and dry fitted it with all of the parts before sending it off to @copaceticcustoms for all of the ethereal lacquer work. It was loaded with a set of @lollarpickups Imperials with a Strat pickup squashed in the middle position, all wired on a 5-way slider with master volume and “no load” tone controls and a @tesiswitch. There is also a hidden trim pot loaded with a resistor to really dial in the middle pickup. The @vegatrem was the perfect compliment, the super smooth action really sets the whole thing off.

The neck is 25.5” scale aluminum with a polished finish, block inlays and stainless frets. I replaced the nut with a piece of brass because it just felt like the right thing to do in this scenario. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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The fifth build for 2025 almost didn’t happen.

Steady progress since starting up in 2020 lead to me transitioning from working full-time and building on the weekends to dropping down to part time as momentum was growing. Then 2024 was primarily spent working for myself, fully devoted to building guitars and promoting my work to keep it all going. The last quarter of the year dealt a few consecutive and significant blows. Multiple collaborators unfortunately had to back out of non-commissioned projects that I already had in the works, which lead to me going back to work full-time this year while I could bounce back.

Alex from @robotgraves was a huge part of my success in the last 12 months. This body and some others would have likely lived in a box on the shelf in my basement if it weren’t for him throwing me a few necks to keep some of these projects alive. His work is top tier if you’re not familiar already. We’ve made quite a few guitars together and I look forward to many more.

This body is ebonized mahogany with a fully carved, book matched eucalyptus top. I’m a big fan of the black and white contrasting lines from the double binding and 3-ply guard chasing the forms around the guitar. Finish is thin satin nitro. @avedissianpickups P-Birds are each wired with a volume and “no load” tone control on a 3-way toggle. Bridge is a Hipshot hardtail, set up in A standard tuning with 13-62 strings. Neck is 27.75” conversion scale with a polished finish. Stainless frets, dot inlays, and Luminlay side markers. Weight is right at 10.5 lbs.

I finished it mid-way through the year and promoted it a bit here and there. @thbrandao had sent me a few messages asking about some details after seeing it pop up on the Aluminum Axes group and eventually decided to make it his own. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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The third build for this year was a barebones banger that went to @witheringhounds.

Will is another longtime supporter that I was happy to hook up. Not only did this make number three for me the year, but it also made for my third guitar to land in his collection, too. The first was a very early RGI collab, think T-60 inspired by a T-100. The second guitar is now a thing of legend, he’s got the clear pointy one with all the black/gold Arik Roper artwork.

The most noticeable thing about this one when playing it - first off, it’s insanely lightweight. 5 1/2 pounds fully loaded and soaking wet. And the tone is just what the doctor ordered. A single @avedissianpickups Big Iron really is about all you need make some rock and roll.

Body is made of pawlonia and finished in multiple layers of nitro, ending in a cool sherwood metallic. Bridge is a @klusonofficial with upgraded gold plated compensated saddles. @tesiswitch on the control plate is always fun. Neck is 25.5” scale roasted maple with an ebony fretboard from @warmothguitar. I dressed up the headstock a bit with some binding and a unique engraving to make it a little more special to a returning client. The extended neck plate features some traditional Japanese inspired artwork at Will’s request because “it feels like this guitar would have tattoos and probably ride a motorcycle”. taken in Muncie, Indiana by @partscasterconcierge

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