Is Chafin Custom a guitar factory or a custom shop?

I like to think that we defy existing guitar industry definitions. When you say "guitar factory" most people picture a production line with hundreds of instruments, all being built mostly by machine and each just like the next one. The fact is most operations called a "custom shop" at this point are really just side projects of the big brands designed to justify higher prices. Their focus is usually on "custom paint" and air brushing, under all the finish the guitar is the same as the production line models and in many cases that is exactly where the instrument itself is constructed. We are a true boutique builder. I do a majority of the work on every instrument along with a few carefully trained assistants. We do not use CNC machines or production lines. Chafin Custom has a Back to the Future sort of approach.

When did you build your first guitar?

I started working on guitars when I was about 13. I had just started playing and I found a guitar that someone had thrown out. The body was smashed so I took all the parts off it and made a new body for it. From that point I was hooked.

How did you first learn the fundamentals of great guitar building?

I would have to give credit to Steve Carr for giving me the basics of guitar building. Steve was the Builder and tech for KISS back in the early days. Steve built the axe bass for Gene Simmons and did all the modifications for Ace. Steve had moved down from NY and we worked together to repair and build guitars in Orlando, Florida. Steve was a great and creative builder. He taught me how to do everything from carve tops and setting in necks. Over the years I was also heavily involved in guitar repair. I especially enjoyed working on vintage guitars. Taking those classics apart allowed me to really understand their construction and their essence. The classic instruments probably have influenced my building and design style more than anything else.

What about some of your early guitars?

After years of learning and working on vintage instruments I wanted to try my hand at my own guitars. I started a small brand called ChaLlin with a good friend of mine, Tom Llinas. Those early efforts were rough by today's standards, but we got them to sound and play really well. We later collaborated with Steve Carr on some guitars under the Suncoast Guitars brand name. Steve had apprenticed with Jimmy D'Aquisto so there was always a lot of D'Aquisto & D'Angelico influence in what we did. That experience further influenced me and helped me sharpen my skills.

How did you become involved with Dean Guitars?

In 1995 Dean was under new ownership and they wanted to bring the then dormant brand back from the grave. They had set up a small factory in Plant City, Florida. I was lucky enough to get on board with that and get my first experience in large scale guitar building. Over the years Dean evolved and my responsibilities also evolved. I became the head builder and designer. In addition to working to bring back Dean classics we developed dozens of new models. I really enjoyed being a part of Dean's raise from an out of business hair band relic back to a major guitar brand. At Dean I regularly had the opportunity to work with touring musicians to develop custom instruments. This daily exchange with world renowned players is another important influence for me. I learned so much about the specific demands of these very demanding musicians. I have tried to build every Chafin Custom Guitar like I am hand building it for a musician on an arena tour.

What artist instruments have you designed and built over the years.

There was a bunch of them. Some were for well known artists and others were for future stars. Each had its own set of challenges and each provide unique insight. One of the most challenging projects was to design a signature bass guitar for Jeff Berlin. Jeff is a legend in the bass world and he knows what he wants and why. We spent nearly 2 years tweaking the neck and the pickups but when we finally got it, it turned out to be a great playing and sounding bass. Another great challenge was the Brian Bromberg bass. Brian is an awesome bassist and has some really cool ideas on bass design. The final product had several innovations and played like butter. I enjoyed building a guitar for Chris Henderson of 3 Doors Down. I hand inlaid Super 3 on the 12th fret making it a one of a kind piece. Other cool instruments were built for Evil D of the Genitorturers and Eric Peterson of Testament.

Why did you decide to start your own brand?

I loved my work at Dean. The design side allowed me to be very creative and it was fulfilling to see the market quickly accept so many of my designs. However I wanted to get back to basics and once again focus on building. I felt like I could build some very special instruments. There are so many high priced cookie-cutter guitars out there and very few people are really building instruments one at a time. I believed that there was still guitarists that wanted a guitar that was as unique as they are. I realize that the majority of people will always gravitate towards the "brand" names that have more artist endorsement deals or ads, but for those that are seeking something special I wanted to fill that void. I started with a commitment to a distinctive instrument that was unique, but with a solid foundation in classic guitar building. I feel like Chafin Custom Guitars offer that and I hope that guitar players will agree.

How did you come up with the body design and construction elements?

I have long held the Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster in the highest regard. These are workhorse guitars that every player knows he or she can count on. Their construction and tone are industry standards. Clearly my great respect for these instruments influenced our overall design and the delineation of the flagship Targa and Ember models.

Your SonicArt bridge design has created a lot of buzz, how did you develop that?

That has become the most talked about feature on our guitars and I am very proud of that innovation. It actually started as part of my push to make our instruments more distinctive visually. Indeed the 5 different designs achieved my goal of dramatically offering a unique appearance, but when I played it "wow" !! I quickly discovered that what is really the most important benefit of the SonicArt bridge is how it impacts the tone. The solid brass construction and larger mass adds sustain and really brings out the highs. With SonicArt the strings ring louder and cleared, it is a difference you can hear acoustically as well as through your amp. I was amazed that you could even feel the difference when you played the guitar. I am really proud of this element of our instrument and I am anxious for more players to get to play it.

How did you come to select Bartolini pickups?

I had worked with Bill Bartolini on several special products for artists. I was always impressed with his depth of knowledge in pickup design and his commitment to quality. In our early proto-types I tried several off-the-shelf name brand pickups and they sounded good, but did not give me the truly unique tone that I was committed to. I wanted a wider ranging sound palette and had some specific tonal qualities in mind. I spoke with Bill about this and he felt like he could deliver on the tone I had in my mind. It took a few generations of proto-types and a tone of testing, but we ended up with the exact sound that I wanted. The pickups match each other and the guitar, yet they offer a wider range of tone than most current production instruments.

What are your future plans for Chafin Guitars?

I am here to serve the guitar community. I will continue to listen to their wants and needs and be totally player driven. I also want to be sure that even as we grow that we continue to produce unique instruments that push the envelope. As you look at the Chafin Custom line and play one of our instruments you will immediately think, "this is not your ordinary guitar company". I have a solid foundation in traditional guitar building, but I enthusiastically strive to improve the instrument. The Chafin guitar line is truly my pride and joy.