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Introducing the 'Crew'Alec 'The Master Of Disaster'First and foremost, there is Alec. The guy on the pic? That's him. 'The Master Of Disaster'. But you can call him Al. Or rather Alec.
You're interested in guitars and guitar gadgets? He's your man. Alec started BIRRD CUSTOM GUITARS in 2017. He's also the owner of
Way over 35yrs in business, and more than 27yrs owner of a graphic arts and custom painting studio means: tons of experiance pic: Alec playing a 'Fender Stratocaster OLW Lefty Conversion' he did. That was a genuine Fender lefty guitar and with a little love it's now a righty one. If you like to have one too, drop him a line- Your advantage: Once a conversion is done, and you manage to play flawlessly, your mom might call you Jimi. How cool would THAT be!? |
Marco Mr Air-Guitar
There is also Marco, he's more the bikes and coffee guy. Airguitar he plays sometimes too.
You woun't talk too much with him about guitars. But as soon as you mention bikes, or coffee, he's your man. At Birrd Guitars, we take care about you.
You woun't talk too much with him about guitars. But as soon as you mention bikes, or coffee, he's your man. At Birrd Guitars, we take care about you.
40 Years Rock'n' Roll
Birrd Custom Guitars means Rock'n' Roll. And here's why.
Alec is a musician to the core, and it all started 40 years ago with his first band, the Black Birds. Having started as a bass player, he soon moved over to the electric guitar, woot! Advanced Status Quo poses, a windmill arm that would make Pete Townshend blush, and a stiff upper lip competing with Angus Young - you name it. In other words, Alec knows that playing guitar also depends on attitude and style.
Alec is a musician to the core, and it all started 40 years ago with his first band, the Black Birds. Having started as a bass player, he soon moved over to the electric guitar, woot! Advanced Status Quo poses, a windmill arm that would make Pete Townshend blush, and a stiff upper lip competing with Angus Young - you name it. In other words, Alec knows that playing guitar also depends on attitude and style.
Design, Function, Attitude and StyleThere are so many great guitar builders around the world. Big names, boutique manufacturers, you googled them all, you watched all of their videos, you read all the reviews. And you already checked your bank account. Now you are ready to buy a Birrd Skulpture, a custom guitar!
Bottom line: We build guitars that make you drool (and maybe even pee your pants) because they not only look great but also deliver the sounds, accuracy, and functionality you have a right to expect. |
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Some Facts And Explanations
First Band back in 1979
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Back in 1979, 'The Black Birds'.
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his very first (bass-) Guitar! A 1976 Jedson Telecaster Sunburst
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Alecs first Bass. A Jedson Telecaster Sunburst, a true hightlight at BIRRD CUSTOM SHOP GUITARS! Yep, we have one.
It's the very same exact model which Alec played in the 80's, but unfortunately not the genuine bass on the pic above. Anyhow, that thing is cool af and about every bass player in tha shop want to try it. Between 1969 and 1975, the Japanese company Jedson produced this 3/4 short scale bass. You can still find some online tho, it's fairly rare and quite expensive since they're often traded for over $600 in mint condition. |
Painting
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Painting GuitarsIn 1783 (just kidding; it was actually just a couple of years ago, twenty or so), some guitar players got in touch with Alec, asking him if he could fix and/or re-paint their guitars. And guess what! (What?) Alec did it. For fun. Because he's a fun guy.
In 2017, it was about time to grow some balls and focus on restoring and building an unique guitar line, ta-daa! That's when BIRRD CUSTOM GUITARS was born. Painting guitars analog is one of his skills, but if you want to have a guitar, or a guitar related thing painted digitally, that's also a piece a cake. Ok, the neck on this Tele looks a li'll squeezed. But who cares.
(pic: Fender Telecaster "rought scetch painting" on a tablet |
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We Build Funky Sculptures. Guitars.We build guitars, funky ones. You can play em like normal guitars. You can also place them on furniture. Then they 'transform' to a sculpture, to a piece of art.
If you expect Fender Telecaster / Stratocaster, Gibson... etc. copies, you can think again. We build, and want to built, one of a kind theme guitars, which are fully functional with a show stopper look. If you like em and you want us to build one for you, or for your company (for adverstise), we can do it. 
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MileStones On Which Alec Was Involved
Early days:
Just a few years back, over 28yrs
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As written above, we have also an inhouse bar with a stage, the 'Lo Snag Bar'! When there is a stage, there is also a backstage room. That room was empty during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Suddenly, there was the idea of a small guitar shop. And now we have one! Awesome isn't it? After Alec has mounted some of his very own collection, we were able to make a deal with Relish guitars! You will find about 20 Relish in the show room you can play- Alec: "We are still at the beginning with this new guitar-section, but we said the same 27 years ago, with now the very successful graphic art store Airxess!" Amps - Effekt Pedals - Stomps - GadgetsIf you want to try a guitar, or an effect pedal which we sell, everything is ready to play. We have also guitar cables, sometimes amps and other guitar related gadgets to sell.
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One of the most epic stages, the 'Im Fluss' one in Basel.
Since about 40yrs, guitars are more or less important to Alec. Since 2017 they are insanely important.
On about every day he has at least one in his hands. If he feels good, he carries two. Imagine, this is most of the time-
Some are to smash paint on, some need to be repaired or a modification is due.
It can be he's just working on another Birrd Custom travel show stopper. Guitars are every where at the moment.
Since about 40yrs, guitars are more or less important to Alec. Since 2017 they are insanely important.
On about every day he has at least one in his hands. If he feels good, he carries two. Imagine, this is most of the time-
Some are to smash paint on, some need to be repaired or a modification is due.
It can be he's just working on another Birrd Custom travel show stopper. Guitars are every where at the moment.
(pic: the floating 'Im Fluss' stage. What kick ass place
Pic: Alec pretends tuning a guitar. It is already in tune. But standing there WITH guitar is way cooler
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Back on topic. There was this call from his BFF BAUM from baummusic.com, if he would like to be the Guitar-Tech at the next concert.
BAUM is not only his BFF, but also an incredible Singer-Songwriter. The concert was on a flotaing stage (yep, a floating stage on the Rhein in Basel)! Of course you know the 'Im Fluss' Festival. A killer place. Side note: In this year 2020, after exactly 40yrs, BAUM and Alec are on the same stage. Ok, they're not performing their Status Quo like show together. But Alec kept BAUM's guitars in tune and he was responsible with quick guitar hands-over on about every song. It was a hig-light. The musician feeling, the backstage room, eating from the catering etc. |
Some live impressionsBAUM had the super cool idea to equip Alec with a body cam. These vids are just amazin'! Sound is also just from the GoPro cam.
As you can see, not only the guitars had to be in tune, also a flawless guitar hand-over was important. |
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Live Pics Taken With A GoProPics taken from my GoPro vid. Not the best resolution, but to have an idea how insanely cool this 'Im Fluss' stage was!
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Lo Snag Bar Our Inhouse BarYes true!
The Lo Snag Bar stage is ready for Singer-Songwriter, Poetry-Slam, Stand-Up-Comedians, Guitar-Workshops. You can even rent it for a gig or your own party! Food, Catering, Rest-Room. Everything what you need is here. But get in contact over the Lo Snag Bar website: Lo Snag Bar (pic: the Bar with the stage. Newer pics will follow) |
Professional Spray BoothSince 1993 Alec runs also Airxess GmbH, the graphic arts studio with professional spray booth. We are specialized in airbrush, pinstiping and all kind of finishes on all kind of materials.
(pic: Alec painting a 1978 USA Fender Telecaster) |
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Turning back time.
Angus Young puts his autograph on one of Alec's paintings, which he did fo a customer. This guy was lucky enough to meet Angus backstage! Crazy shit isn't it!? Side note: we don't tell how it was to bring such a huge canvas through all theses people at/after a live concert in Zurich. Horrrrible! |