"Leigh Dovey, founder of PJD Guitars, discusses the control they now have over the sound of their electric guitars due to their in-house pickups, showcasing the growth of the UK's prominent electric guitar brand."
PJD Guitars, the British guitar brand founded by Leigh Dovey in 2010, has announced an exciting new chapter with the introduction of its Standard Series guitars. This new lineup, launched in 2023, marks a significant milestone for the company, serving as the foundation for its continued growth.
The Standard Series guitars are crafted with meticulous attention to detail, featuring several notable changes from the original Standards. For instance, the roasted and figured maple necks of the originals have been swapped for industry-standard plainer and unroasted maple. Additionally, the chambered bodies of the original Standards have been replaced with solid, lightweight obeche.
However, one aspect that remains constant is the use of PJD's own in-house wound pickups, which are now incorporated in the new Standard Series guitars. This decision underscores PJD's commitment to delivering high-quality, distinctive sounding instruments.
Four dedicated craftspeople, including Harriet Dovey, Lauren Varley, Luke Bushby, and Ray Kilvington, work on the Standard line, ensuring each guitar meets PJD's exacting standards. The current Standards now feature the original PJD neck profile, a departure from the current Standard necks.
The PJD Classic neck profile, introduced with the new Standard Series, will also be available as an option for any Custom Shop model. The Custom Shop, opened by PJD in 2024, has seen the return of the Elite models such as the original Carey. Josh Parkin and the founder handle the Custom Shop, producing around 50 to 60 guitars, depending on the complexity of the models.
The new distributor appointed at the end of 2024 has significantly increased sales in Europe, with Germany and Austria being major markets. The new Standard Series guitars are more affordable than previous UK-built electric guitars, making PJD's quality craftsmanship accessible to a wider audience.
One of the standout models from the new Standard Series is the PJD Carey Classic, which has received positive reviews for its wide range of voices, suggesting that it is versatile and not limited to a single sound. This versatility is further highlighted in the 15th Anniversary limited run, which aims to replicate the original Carey Standard from 2020. The limited run will use swamp ash for the chambered bodies.
Customers can order the new guitars in different colours, including translucent black, white, and TV Yellow. The founder, Leigh Dovey, now QCs everything on the Standard production to ensure quality, reflecting his dedication to maintaining the high standards that PJD Guitars is known for.
This article was first published in Guitarist magazine, celebrating the exciting new developments at PJD Guitars and the introduction of the Standard Series. As PJD Guitars continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to delivering exceptional instruments that resonate with musicians worldwide.
- PJD Guitars, founded by Leigh Dovey in 2010, has introduced a new lineup of guitars called the Standard Series in 2023, crafted with meticulous attention to detail for its continued growth.
- The Standard Series guitars from PJD Guitars feature the original PJD neck profile, a departure from the current Standard necks, and incorporate PJD's own in-house wound pickups for a distinctive sound.
- The new distributor appointed at the end of 2024 has significantly increased sales in Europe, making the more affordable Standard Series guitars accessible to a wider audience.
- One of the standout models from the new Standard Series is the PJD Carey Classic, praised for its versatility and wide range of voices, with a limited run using swamp ash for the chambered bodies.
