In custom guitar building, there’s a long-standing belief that precision and feel sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. A perfectly engineered instrument, some argue, can’t possibly retain soul or organic character. But as Ryan Conway, luthier at Conway Guitars, explains, “I really only have two principles or philosophies when it comes to how I build guitars. Those are precision and feel and things being organic. Potentially they are two quite opposing values and that's why I like toying with the line between them and finding the balance.” For builders who live in both worlds, the real pursuit is balance — absolute technical control paired with tactile nuance and musical responsiveness.
“When you’re building guitars entirely by hand — no CNC, no automated production lines — that balance becomes even more critical,” Conway adds. “So the more hands-on I can be in the process, even though I'm trying to be as perfect and precise as I possibly can, I might have three guitars I'm building all at once. And even though I'm building to a spec and a shape and a certain contour, they all might be slightly different. And I'm totally fine with that because I'll go with what works best for the timber, for the look and for the feel for each particular guitar rather than running on a production line and making everything exactly the same.”
Streamlining the Most Demanding Stage of the Process
Anyone familiar with guitar making understands that sanding isn’t a step — it’s a process that spans the entire build. From raw timber shaping to finish preparation and final polish, surface refinement dictates the quality of the end result. “Anyone who knows anything about the guitar making process knows just how much sanding goes into it. Any tool that you can get that either speeds that process up or lightens the physical load is going to be a very good friend,” Conway explains.
The introduction of Mirka DEROS was transformative. “When I found the Mirka sanders, it was a game changer. I tried a few different brands before and they didn't quite work to the point where I was kind of just not using them anymore. And then I found the Mirka sander and got my first one and just went, oh, this is a game changer. Just because it's so convenient and light and it takes a short amount of time, but also the finish quality is so high that it's just been excellent.”
Lightweight, compact, and exceptionally well-balanced, the DEROS reduces operator fatigue without compromising surface control. “I've been using the Mirka Deros for the longest and I've had a chance to try the 77 mm. I've been using the 125 and it is incredible for the size of guitars and for all the intricate curves and things like that. Incredible piece of machinery.”
For flat planes and tight edge work, the rectangular Mirka DEOS complements the DEROS perfectly. “Same as the DEOS, which is the rectangular format sander, is excellent for larger flat surfaces or areas on the guitar where you need to butt up against a flat surface where the round DEROS gets a bit iffy. That flat edge makes a big difference. Makes the entire process so much easier and more enjoyable.”
Hand Craft Meets Modern Edge Technology
Precision in luthiery doesn’t end at powered sanding. Fine surface correction and timber refinement often demand controlled material removal in small areas. “I tried out the little Mirka Shark Blade, which I know has a specific purpose for removing imperfections in paint, but being a carbide, effectively a scraper, I had a go at using it to plane timber and it was incredible. So it's a great little scraper to use to achieve a really fine surface on small areas of the guitar,” Conway notes.
For a builder committed to hands-on craftsmanship, tools like this bridge traditional methods with modern materials science — enabling micro-level control without sacrificing tactile feel.
From Surface Prep to Mirror Finish
High-gloss finishing is unforgiving. Every microscopic scratch, swirl, or compound residue becomes visible under reflective lacquer. “I was able to test out the cordless polisher as well with a couple of different compounds on some finish and it was great. Lightweight, really quick to get results. The compounds are really great as well, being water-based. They didn't leave any residue. Going to be excellent to use for the final stages of polishing to get rid of the really fine scratch marks and leave a really ultra shiny mirror-like finish when I'm doing high gloss.”
Paired with Polarshine 45 and Polarshine 12, the system delivers rapid gloss development with remarkable clarity. “I tried out the Polarshine 45 and 12, both excellent, really quick to get that high gloss surface. They also weirdly smell really nice, which I think is because they don't have any nasty chemicals in them. All those things together and the fact that they don't leave residue and they're not sticky and they're easy to clean off being water-based, that's so many positives in those compounds.”
Why This Matters in Custom Building
Small-batch, fully hand-built guitars operate on a fundamentally different philosophy than factory production. “I guess the main thing that sets me apart from other guitar builders who are around my size and particularly make electric guitars is that I make everything by hand. So no CNC or other machines like that, just hand tools, routers and a lot of patience,” Conway explains.
Using Mirka’s sanding and polishing system doesn’t replace craftsmanship — it amplifies it:
- Reduces physical strain so more focus can be placed on detail.
- Increases finish consistency across complex surfaces.
- Accelerates workflow without compromising tactile control.
- Elevates final gloss to a level expected in high-end custom work.
“Most importantly,” he says, “the instrument can remain organic, responsive and individual — while still achieving technically flawless surfaces.”
The Outcome: Detail That Sets Instruments Apart
What ultimately differentiates a hand-built instrument from an off-the-shelf product isn’t just design — it’s attention to detail. “I think the main thing that sets my guitars apart from the majority of off-the-shelf instruments is the attention to detail that I give every single instrument. These are the things that I can afford to do, being a small builder building small batches at a time, as opposed to being in a factory environment where they're just pumping out lots and lots of guitars and trying to get the numbers out there. So everything from the tiniest of finish imperfections and making sure everything is exactly where it needs to be, to having the guitar set up perfectly and playing as good as it can straight out of the box as soon as the customer gets it in their hands.”
Achieving that standard demands time, patience, and the right tools. “Using the Mirka sanders has been incredible in terms of streamlining process, as well as helping out the physical load of sanding. Anyone who knows anything about the guitar making process knows just how much sanding goes into it.”
For a builder committed to making everything by hand — routing, carving, sanding, and polishing — Mirka’s ecosystem doesn’t just assist the process. It enables a higher level of execution. “So yeah, I take great pride in making everything by hand. It enables me to bring both precision and feel into every instrument I make.”
In the pursuit of precision and feel coexisting in one instrument, that advantage makes all the difference.
