The Leech

The Leech is the second scratch build, sixth project built in the garage — it is the first truly unique full design, where both neck and body are a completely original design. The project turned out to have multiple challenges, but I am extremely happy with the result.

Featuring a 3-piece European ash body with curly spalted maple top. Five-piece laminate neck with European flamed sycamore, wenge strips, and birdseye maple core. Tru oiled (10 layers body, 7 layers neck), gloss knock-off, then Renaissance Wax (2 layers body/neck, 3 layers on top). Exotic crelicam ebony fretboard from Madinter, no inlays, birch sidedots. Hosco medium-jumbo phosphor bronze frets. Gotoh SG381 locking tuners. Schaller 3D-6 gold bridge. TUSQ XL nut. Single EMG 85X bridge pickup running 12v, and through single volume pot, gold knob. Gold jack on the back. Set up with Optima 9-46 gold strings (had to). Weighs in at 2994g. Very pleased with the result, plays like a dream.

Full specs list:

• European northern ash body, curly and spalted maple top. Tru oil and Renaissance wax finish.
• Five-piece neck: Flamed sycamore, wenge, birdseye maple. Tru oil and Renaissance wax finish.
• EMG 85X bridge pickup, 12v mod.
• Gotoh SG381 MG-t locking tuners in gold.
• Hosco Phosphor Bronze medium-jumbo frets.
• Schaller 3D-6 gold bridge.
• Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut.
• Single volume knob.