A.S Guitars

09/07/2021

Sanding and shaping the Amyris bass.

24/06/2021

Fretting the Amyris bass, drilling the holes for the tuners and making a bound wenge truss rod cover.

09/06/2021

Routing for the truss rod and carbon fiber rods before cutting the profile for the neck through. After gluing all the body pieces together the cavities for the electronics are routed before the fretboard is glued down. This bass is ready to be fretted.

20/05/2021

Bound wenge fretboard with walnut and maple binding for the new bass build.

01/05/2021

Amyris bass in production in the new workshop.

11/11/2020

Reworked Psydrax 7 string with a reshape and refinished headstock as well as a new bridge built by Ronnie Mcnamara and incredible pickups from Rübezahl Tonabnehmer.

21/10/2020

11/09/2020

AS Guitars will have a new workshop in Germany by the end of September. Approximately 50 km from Leipzig with a view of Gnandstein castle, I could not be happier with the location. The floors and walls are done and the machines will be arriving in a few weeks. The electrics will have to be upgraded to run the bandsaw in October while sorting out the new office, hardware installation and setup room. I will keep you posted.

22/07/2020

Thanks to SA Guitarist magazine for posting Ryno Theron Music 's Amyris as their guitar crush Wednesday guitar. Also thanks to the ridiculously talented Russell Wells for taking that photo at at the SA Guitar and Music Expo 2018.

This week's Wednesday is dedicated to Ryno Theron Music's beautiful and extremely unique "Amyris" semi-hollow electric guitar, designed by the amazingly talented Alain Smith of A.S Guitars. Not only does this guitar turn heads, but it's also a uniquely "South African" guitar. The body is handcrafted from zebrano wood with real f-holes, fitted with Rude Rock Pups pickups, and has a bridge fitted by Ronnie Mcnamara - 100% home-brewed and unlike anything else! Ryno says he loves the diversity of the guitar for both metal music and ambient fingerstyle music, making it even cooler! This guitar's unique tone can be heard all over Ryno's new album "Howling Rush" - go listen to the album to hear for yourself! 🤘🔥

Photo credits: Russell Wells

Devographic Music Media, PR, Events & Artist Management

21/07/2020

Don't forget to watch the SA Guitarist special on Ryno Theron Music on their YouTube channel today. It includes a competition to win Ryno's new album Howling Rush and some AS Guitars merch.

Thanks to Devographic Music Media, PR, Events & Artist Management for organising it.

https://youtu.be/quV1woK-GZM

SA Guitarist is extremely proud and excited to present a special artist feature on South African Ambient Prog Master Ryno Theron! In celebration of his new E...

16/07/2020

Don't miss the interview with Ryno Theron coming up next Tuesday the 21st of July. Included in the interview will be details of of a competition and giveaway in association with Devographic Music Media, PR, Events & Artist Management and SA Guitarist.

19/06/2020

AS Guitars artist Ryno Theron has released a playthrough video for his track I.N.S off his album Howling Rush. There is a video on this page of him plating an old version of the track on the day he picked up his guitar. It's great to hear the end product of the work he put into it. If you haven't already take a listen to his album available on streaming platforms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaY16iLy-iY

Ambient Prog Master Ryno Theron from Durban (South Africa) is back with Howling Rush; an atmospheric journey of ten ambitious tracks exploring experimental g...

06/06/2020

Thanks for the mention and the kind words Ryno Theron the music you and all the other musicians are making with my instruments keeps me inspired. I can't wait for the next album, Howling Rush is great.

David Devo Oosthuizen had a chat to Ambient Prog Master Ryno Theron from Durban (South Africa) about the release of his new album Howling Rush; an atmospheri...

26/03/2020

Built as a tribute to the Jackson King Vs Dave Mustaine was using in Megadeth around the time of recording Rust in Peace and touring for the album.

Specs:
Rude Rocks Dr Feels Good pickup with an alnico 5 magnet
Ronnie Mcnamara made fixed bridge
Sperzel locking tuners
1 volume control

Flame maple fret board with tahitian black snail fret markers
Stainless Steel frets
Graph tec Tusq nut
Book matched flame maple top
3 piece flame maple neck
Book matched flame maple back
Flamed Kiaat wing centers
Matching flame maple and walnut headstock cap

20/03/2020

I would like to express my appreciation to Kerry Callaghan who tragically passed away on Saturday the 7th of March. He selflessly shared his hard earned knowledge of guitar building with me answering any questions I had for him. His exceptionally high standards of luthiery set the mark I attempt to reach with each instrument. I was lucky enough to have him work in my workshop giving me tips and allowing me to observe how he built his extraordinary instruments. My first step towards guitar building was taken in January 2000 when I purchased my first electric bass guitar from Kerry. Refurbishing a bass guitar he had built in the 90s was the spark that was fanned to drive me to build my own guitars. His friendship and guidance has left a permanent mark and losing him has left an enormous gap that can never be filled. I offer my condolences to Kerry's family and friends who will all miss him dearly.

18/03/2020

It's great to be back at a work bench, the first guitar started in South Africa and finished in Leipzig Germany.
Carve top Xyris with a vintage cherry burst flame maple top.

Specs:
Frame maple carve top and matching headstock cap
5 piece pod mahogany and wenge neck
African mahogany wings
Flame maple bound lead wood fret board with abalone dot markers

Hardware:
Seymour Duncan Nazgul and Sentient pickups
Gotoh Chrome tuners and locking nut
Graph tech Chrome string saver Floyd Rose bridge
Volume control and a 3 way pickup selector
Stainless steel fret wire

26/02/2020

Jared Gunston's Amyris fitted with the Roland GK-3 pickup for his upcoming demos of the Boss SY-1000 synth pedal.