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Strings Of Success
The story of how one man's passion created his way to fame.
Wooden models hang from the nails on the old white brick wall. Each are about a half an inch thick and cut to produce distinct and individual looks. Although their appearances are different, they all share the same purpose. These models are the frames of the most smooth sounding and uniquely custom built guitars that guitarists from bands such as The Pretenders, Alice Cooper, Ray Lamontagne,and Bob Dylan, bought in the North Country.
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This is a very popular style of design by Sarah Ryan.Nestled in the town of Burlington Vermont, lies the discrete world of Creston Lea. Growing up, Lea had always held an interest in music. With a calm and quiet voice Lea says, "When I was a little boy, I used to draw pictures of guitars." While growing up his love for music never changed, however it was not his main focus in school. Graduating with a degree in English Literature and Fiction writing, Lea went out into the world in search of finding a career in teaching and writing. Realizing that the career market, at the time, was not looking good for him, Lea ventured to carpentry and went back to continue his passion for music. He found his career in wood work satisfying until friend and fellow musician Mark Spencer brought over his damaged guitar.
"I am more for functionality and think it's important that the spirit and appearance (of the guitars) are tied to the person"
As a bass and guitar player, Lea was well aware of how an electric guitar works, however was not trained in any way to fix them. Nevertheless, he took on the task and fixed Spencer's guitar. "It came out great, and sounded really nice," says Lea. He soon became hooked in the process. Beginning slowly, Lea started reading and buying guitar parts from classified ads. After someone fell in love and bought his third guitar he has not stopped making them.
Hearing about Creston's guitars through a mutual friend, Mark Spencer, guitarist John Kolodij visited Creston's website. While browsing through the site, Kolodij stumbled upon a guitar that Creston had made out of old pine wood from a players family barn. "The first guitars were made of pine. It's expensive and has been harder to find since the 50's," says Kolodij. Intrigued Kologij continued browsing and realized that he wanted Creston to make him his own custom guitar. "I knew he could do exactly what I wanted. Most people go to him to have their dream guitar," says Kolodij. It took only three months for Creston to build Kolodij's ideal pine-wooded,"natural looking" guitar. Very satisfied with the results Kolodij says, "He takes your idea and dream and makes it a reality."
Lea works with his clients over the phone and e-mail to plan out and design the specific needs and wants of their guitar. Once a vivid picture of what the guitar is, Lea asks for a 50% deposit. His guitars range up to $2000, sometimes more depending on the guitar. After ordering any necessary electronics and hardware, the wood work begins. "I mill the wood to size and shape with a series of router templates and rasps, sandpaper, etc. (Then I) spray color and clear lacquer, let it cure as long as possible before wet sanding," explains Lea. Once dry he prepares to polish and paint the body and neck then assembles. He then contacts the client and once he's paid he ships it.
"I don't replicate, I really try to push clients to pick a color they've never seen on a guitar before. I want to get people to do things different"
Whether it be the mechanics, style, or even color, every one of the dozens of guitars that Lea has built over the past five years is unique. Designing each to fit the personality of its owner, Lea emphasizes the importance of his work. "I am more for functionality and think it's important that the spirit and appearance (of the guitars) are tied to the person," says Lea. "He is very specific he can figure out how deep they (clients) are into their stuff and strip away to get the right tone," says Kolodij. For past customers who wanted a replica of a specific guitar, well, they got what they wanted with a twist. "People like to pick and choose elements of their favorite guitars from the past sixty years of guitar history and combine them in a way that suits their particular needs," says Lea. "I don't replicate, I really try to push clients to pick a color they've never seen on a guitar before. I want to get people to do things different."
Lea travels about once a year to a secret location in New Hampshire to pick up wood used for a number of his guitars. Sugar pine wood is his favorite to use. "Most people don't use it because it (sugar pine wood) is prone to dent. I'm not afraid, I like its light weight," says Lea. Customers have also had their guitars made from Mahogany and Ash woods. The process to complete a stained wooded electric guitar takes a few weeks, sometimes even months, but the wait is rewarding. Kolodij explains, "He chooses woods that work for a players habits, in my case I wanted old pine (and) a specific neck. We knew where we were going the whole time."
"His guitars are a piece of artwork in themselves"
Some ask Lea to engrave initials into the metal, others have asked for special designed prints or scenes. Depending on the customers ideas, Lea's long-time friend, Artist Sarah Ryan, helps with the print of the guitars. Ryan's colorful floral prints and logos have become almost as popular as the guitars themselves. After having two "experiments", Ryan designed one of Lea's personal guitars. As soon as it became exposed, people began asking and wanting their own. "His guitars are a piece of artwork in themselves, he's got a really good eye," says Ryan. Working together for the past three years, Lea and Ryan have benefited greatly from each other’s work. Proudly Ryan says, "He gives my work exposure. I think when I help (by painting) it takes his guitars to a showcase level."
Ryan and Lea have together designed eighteen guitars. They've had customers ask for a families rail road logo, an oak tree that a couple was married under, and currently, pictures of a family's memories; all painted on the face of the guitar.
John Kolodij's White Pine Barnwood Custom Creston Guitar. |
When the guitars are ready to be painted or stained, they are first brought to a room in Lea's shop where he applies the base coat. If the guitar is being painted, it's given to Ryan. "I use acrylic water-base paint. It usually takes me about a week to complete the design," says Ryan. It's Lea's job to spray the finish. Hesitating Lea simply says, "I have a secret process to conceal her paint."
"Most people go to him to have their dream guitar"
From the beautiful woodwork designs, Lea has gained popularity from word of mouth. "I don't advertise, I'm finding people without using money" says Lea. When he first established his business, Creston Electric Instruments five years ago, Lea had no idea how far his talent would bring him. Now Lea says with a smile, "I didn't expect it, it was more of a hobby than a job." Today, Lea's guitars can be seen everywhere from Japan, England, and San Francisco, to New York City and Burlington. A number of guitarist such as Tony Gilkyson, who's played for Alice Cooper and Bob Dylan, James Walboorne and Eric Heywood from The Pretenders, and Ian Mackaye from Minor Threat carry their own custom Creston guitar. Even Creston rocks out with his own as he plays with performers Lonestar Chain, James Kochalka, Cave Bees, and Missy Bli. Between his bands, new baby daughter, and one-man business, Lea claims that managing his time is the hardest part of it all. Lea says "I spend a lot of my time answering phone calls and e-mails, talking and helping the customers decide what they want to do."
"Guitar players are a fussy bunch, and there are enough parts in an off-the-rack electric guitar that something is bound to displease them. Sometimes custom building is the best way to get everything a player wants all in one place," says Lea. Having a passion that has taken him to positions he never thought possible, Creston Lea has no intention of ever stopping and hopes to one day expand his business.
Do you have your own interesting guitar designs?