COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs

COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs I'm a music lover, guitar builder/hobbyist. I create and build custom electric guitars, both full size and 3 & 4 string cigar box guitars.

I do repairs, strings changes & setups to specific customers requests and manufacturers settings.

04/25/2026

Good morning to those that follow COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs, and those just may see this by chance.
With Spring now here and summer on the way, I have been noticeably spending less time in "the shop" these days. I'm presently finishing up a "cigar box guitar" for a friend of mine in the USA. and I do have another project in the early stages. But I won't be delving into it for a while. With the nicer weather, my focus is on making a solid base in the backyard for a hexagon greenhouse kit I'll be putting up for my wife. But please stay tuned for further news on my next project that looks like it'll be either a "SG style" guitar or a self designed take of a Telecaster thinline I'm referring to as a "double thinline". A special thanks for checking in.

03/29/2026

Heres an update on the Peavey Predator. I finished all the refurbishing and upgrades along with re-upholstery on the case. And it went out the door with another happy client. Congrats on the purchase of a great, well setup guitar.

Making some improvements to the shop. Did a nice new, smooth, level router table top.
03/25/2026

Making some improvements to the shop. Did a nice new, smooth, level router table top.

Started thinking about my nxt project build. I'm calling this ( for now ) my "335 thinline". A tele thinline mirror ima...
03/21/2026

Started thinking about my nxt project build. I'm calling this ( for now ) my "335 thinline". A tele thinline mirror imaged .... Double cutaway and 2 F-holes. Maple "chambered" string through body along with a black walnut top. Not sure the drawn image will show up that great but you hopefully get the idea.

03/04/2026

I finished the refurbishing of the original case for the late 80's, mid 1990's Peavey "Predator" guitar today. I took off the torn and tattered outer covering of the case and painted the outside with a few coats of "truck bed liner" for protection and then reused the original metal corners, to keep the vintage look.
I'm no "upholstery guy" but I managed to cut a piece of hard insulation to fit the "Predator" body shape and replaced the worn "sky blue" lining with a vintage looking "aqua blue" material. I made a new, larger "kit box" to carry the included strap and perhaps an extra pkg. of strings ( not included ). I plan on replacing the present ad on Marketplace with a new one that will now include the refurbished, locking guitar case & strap.

Update: The humm is gone completely. The push/pull volume pot is wired as it should be and gives you so many sound opti...
02/26/2026

Update: The humm is gone completely.
The push/pull volume pot is wired as it should be and gives you so many sound options for just having a bridge pickup.

All strung up and intonated but Ive got an annoying humm. So Ill need to investigate. Likely a ground to the bridge but just guessing at this point.

Still needs strings and a setup. But I'm happy with how it looks ! Hopefully it'll sound as good AS I THINK it looks.H...
02/25/2026

Still needs strings and a setup. But I'm happy with how it looks ! Hopefully it'll sound as good AS I THINK it looks.
Hand drawn & painted Mario and Princess Peach, single volume & tone with a push / pull volume that splits the humbucker into 2 coils.

Update : Princess Peach is in the house !! Well ... on the guitar, might say it better...
02/21/2026

Update : Princess Peach is in the house !!
Well ... on the guitar, might say it
better. My granddaughter here in Sooke was disappointed when it was just Mario on the guitar top.
2 coats of spray lacquer on... more tomorrow.

Moved on to some graphics for the game console. Good 'ol Mario coming together. I traced the figure and hand painting it.
I also routered out and shielded the pickup cavity in the wood body that goes in the consol. Still a long way to the finish line yet !

I picked up a couple of nice pieces of Paducah (?) hardwood for future guitar projects.
02/19/2026

I picked up a couple of nice pieces of Paducah (?) hardwood for future guitar projects.

COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs is selling a vintage 1990's, Made in USA, solid wood body, Peavey "Predator" guita...
02/17/2026

COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs
is selling a vintage 1990's, Made in USA, solid wood body, Peavey "Predator" guitar. This guitar has been well cared for over the last 30 odd years. The white paint has aged naturally, with the nitrocellulos clear coat turning the body a beautiful cream colour on the front side of the body, along with the backside, but to a far lesser degree on the back. The original white becomes more apparent of course when pickguards and k***s are removed. There's only one small "ding" on the backside of the lower horn that is barely noticeable, and there are NO scratches.

The (4 bolt), bolt on neck is bilaterally constructed of hard rock maple, with a maple fingerboard. The medium jumbo frets are in great shape and show next to no wear. It also comes with the "micro adjustment" screw for adjustment of the neck angle. A very nice option ! !
The body cavities have all been insulated with std. copper tape. The tuners are factory original tuners that operate and hold flawlessly. The bridge is the original 4 bolt "Predator" bridge, and shouldn't be confused with that on the lower end, Raptor models that were manufactured in Asian factories (Korea, China, Indonesia & Vietnam)
The 3 single coil pickups are all original as is the wiring and potentiometers and all are in good condition and in good working order.
This guitar has just come off the work bench and has had a full cleanin & set up with new "46 through 10" Ernie Ball custom gauge strings installed. The bridge has been set up to "float", allowing for the trem bar to be used without tuning issues. The guitar has been set up to complete "Fender Stratocaster specifications".

The Peavey "Predator " is very comparable to, if not exactly the same size, thickness and weight of an original Stratocaster. All this, including the original lockable case ( with key) , ... for far less money than Fenders Stratocaster. Don't miss out.
Feel free to arrange for a "no obligation" test drive of a very nice, very playable guitar. Them Price can be negotiable.
Thx for looking.
* the original case is being considered for full restoration to keep it protected & looking, and playing beautifully and might not be completed at time of sale.

Consider arranging a "no obligation " "test drive" of this very beautiful and playable guitar.
Thx for taking the time to look.
Sorry no trades.

A little update on the game console build.The bridge is in place and I'm about to cut the bridge pickup cavity and then ...
02/10/2026

A little update on the game console build.
The bridge is in place and I'm about to cut the bridge pickup cavity and then route the inside body for the pickup and wiring. The potentiometers will then be installed, with the volume being a coil splitting "push/pull" pot to add the sound of having a neck pickup option. I'm also painting a couple of the original Nintendo characters on the front. See photo below. Lots to do yet !!
Feel free to leave your thoughts and/or comments. Thx for looking.

A quick fun build ! I took an 80's Nintendo game console.... 2 actually... one had the buttons / connections and the other had a better case. Attached a bolt on neck... the rest of the electronic parts are on their way. Its going to have Les Paul Jr. wiring with one, bridge humbucker, single tone k**b, a push / pull volume potentiometer for added sounds that will compensate for the single pickup.

Address

Sooke, BC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to COLE Custom Guitars, Setups & Repairs:

Shortcuts

Share

Category