RAY COOPER &
THE ELIXIR GUITARS
Phil collected his Gibson SG Supreme from top
luthier Ray Cooper on the morning of the Purple Turtle gig and felt so happy
with it
that it was used for the entire set that evening, relegating his much-used
and loved Cherry Red '75 Gibson SG Standard to the 'subs bench'.
The poor old Standard is getting a bit worn out
now, with need of a re-fret soon, but was still the
greatest guitar Phil had ever played until Ray worked his magic on the
Midnight Burst Supreme.
After sourcing and buying a rare and much sought-after Washburn Wonderbar
tremolo system from Barcelona, Phil took his guitar
to Ray to have the trem system fitted, and also the Gibson '57 Classic
Humbuckers replaced by two of Ray's custom 'Juicy' Pickups.
Ray's daughter Lucy, hand-wound the humbuckers to Phil's requirements,
providing two very hot, bespoke pickups.
The guitar is now sounding and feeling fantastic, and is set to be Phil's
main instrument in future.
Now known as the 'Son of Odin' guitar, (as the midnight burst colour is
similar to 'The Son of Odin' album cover),
Phil is over the moon with his customised guitar.
Ray has been looking after
Norms' and Phil's guitars for many years now, and we know that with Ray's
craftsmanship
and experience, our precious Gibsons are in very safe hands. It always
amazes us how much better our guitars feel
after Ray has has given them the 'Cooperman' treatment!
If knighthoods are awarded for
'Services To Rock 'N' Roll', then Ray should be at the top of the list!
Ray has looked after many top
bands and artist's instruments, for over 30 years, including Bad Company,
Thin Lizzy and the late, great, George Harrison. He also makes his own high
quality electric and accoustic guitars,
but as these are hand-made, using the finest woods and materials, they can
be quite rare and hard to come by.
STOP PRESS!
Phil was back at Ray's
workshop sooner than he expected after a 'domestic' accident with his
precious 'Son of Odin' guitar!
On the Saturday before Christmas, Phil had returned from a practice session
and propped his guitar up, in it's Gibson case,
in the kitchen, while he lent a hand with the Christmas decorations.
In the few minutes that the guitar was there, it was nudged over and fell to
the floor.
Thinking that it was protected in it's hard case, he didn't rush to open the
case to check it.
When he did, he found that the neck had split!!
It was only a small fall, so it just goes to show how fragile the necks of Gibsons are, and how little protection the case gives!.
The break
Phil took the guitar to Ray
for repair. After fixing the break, re-lacquering the neck, replacing the
nut and setting it up,
Ray handed back the guitar to Phil in peak condition.
After the 'Cooperman' treatment
You just can't see any indication of the sorry state it was in before
Christmas, and it feels and sounds fantastic again.
Phil will be taking the 'Son of Odin' guitar to Elixir's next gigs in Greece
and Italy, but he will take it in a Hiscox case!!
A big 'Thank You' once again
for the great job done on another Elixir guitar, Ray, you are a hero!!
If you have any special
requirements or would like to visit Ray's website for more information,
please click on the link below.
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