The Bell & Hern Team:

The Alchemists of the Custom Corner

 

At Guitars West, we don’t just sell instruments; we curate legacies. The Bell & Hern Customs team is the heart of that mission. Born from a partnership between a visionary artist and a master builder, they’ve turned our Custom Corner into a sanctuary for players who crave something beyond the ordinary.

The Powerhouse Partnership

• Big Hern: The Master Builder. Hern is the architect of the Bell & Hern sound. From the initial wood selection and hand-shaping the necks to the precision fretwork and the complex wiring that gives these guitars their growl, Hern does it all. He is the "boots on the ground" luthier ensuring every instrument plays like a dream and stands the test of time. If it plays, sounds, and feels incredible, that’s Big Hern’s handiwork.

• Bell: The Visual Visionary. Bell is the master of the aesthetic. With an obsessive eye for color and texture, Bell handles the world-class finishes that make our guitars stop people in their tracks. From vintage relics to the cosmic depth of the "Black Galaxy," Bell provides the stunning canvas for Hern’s engineering.

 

Featured Masterpiece:

The 335 in Black Galaxy

 

If you want to see this partnership in its purest form, look no further than the 335 in Black Galaxy as it sets as the background to accompany this Bell & Hern bio with the purest form of the teams creativity and craftmanship.

• The Look: Bell’s cosmic flake finish catches the light like a supernova, giving this iconic silhouette a modern, boutique edge.

• The Soul: Underneath that finish is a masterclass in lutherie by Big Hern. It features a neck carve that feels "home-cooked," resonance that vibrates against your ribs, and a setup so dialled in it practically plays itself.

 

Our Mission:

Built for the Player

 

"Bell & Hern Custom Guitars was born out of a necessity to get beautiful, custom pieces into players' hands for a reasonable price and without sacrificing tone or playability. We love your feedback and are happy to accept custom orders. Reach out to us with your questions and requests!"

Ready to Build Your Own?

The Custom Corner is always evolving. While the Black Galaxy 335 might be the star of the show today, your dream build could be next. We thrive on the conversation between builder and player.

Have a vision for a dream build? [Reach out to Big Hern and the team today] and let’s get to work.