These Shergolds, an Activator six string guitar and Marathon fretless four string bass, are being built by the editor from original woodwork recovered when the factory closed, parts recovered from several guitar shops spares bins, and newly manufactured parts.
From getting the bare bodies and necks to completion has been a slow task - waiting for all the relevant pieces to turn up, which has so far taken a year and a half.
1-Sept-2000: The Marathon is now completed!

These pictures really do not do the outstanding finishes justice!
I can whole-heartedly recommend that anyone who wants a Shergold refinished with authentic materials, should contact Mick Deering at Classic Finishes (+44 (0)20 7379 3572). He can do pretty much any colour scheme you can dream up and for a very reasonable price.
Andy Gibson at Neil's Guitar Workshop did a sterling job on the specialist tasks such as making the new bone nuts and fret finishing.

Sept-2000: Following a few days at Neils Guitar Workshop having the bone nut made and the zero fret tweaked down, the bass is now complete and strung!
Bare shaped body The body starts as a rough sanded, thick two piece (probably swamp ash) shaped slab.	Body finished in Dark Cherry burst Sprayed by Mick Deering at Classic Finishes and buffed to a deep lustre.	Fitted out with parts Pickup, bridge, controls and scratchplate fitted, and neck assembled onto body.
The Finished Article It's pretty near impossible to tell this one from an original now...

Aug-2000: Most of the electronic parts have now been sourced - components from RS, fittings from Rainbow Products. A nearly identical PCB foil (just a slight layout revision) has now been located for the parametric EQ circuit. The only remaining hurdles are the pickups (modified standard Rean type) and the bridge.
Bare shaped body and neck The body starts as a rough sanded, laminated centre section type, and the neck is fresh from final shaping, ready for finishing.	Body finished in Apple Green Burst Sprayed by Mick Deering at Classic Finishes and buffed to a deep lustre. This colour scheme sounds unlikely but is spectacular when done properly. The neck is also finished in simple clear polyester.
Neck and Body assembled Neck and body mated together - the wedge joint tenon was cut into the neck by Neils Guitar Workshop while they were being sprayed. The three strap buttons are also fitted.