lucem guitars

EST. 2017 | united kingdom

Electric Guitars

“to inspire you to play more, create more, and connect more deeply with your music.”

Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar with a black pickguard, multiple control knobs, pickups, and a dark wood finish, against a black background.

graham skimming | Luthier

  • Models like the Lucem ST reinterpret timeless silhouettes for today’s players, offering custom pickup configurations, premium finishes, and bespoke design options. Every Lucem guitar is meticulously engineered, drawing on Graham’s extensive background in both luthiery and engineering, ensuring instruments that not only play beautifully but also endure a lifetime.

    Lucem guitars have earned praise from internationally respected musicians, including Nick McCabe (The Verve, Black Submarine), Neil Halstead (Slowdive), and publications like Guitarist Magazine. Whether it’s the multi-voice flexibility of the Paradox or the organic, musical character of the ST, Lucem instruments invite players to shape their own voice within the legacy of the electric guitar.

Lucem Paradox Custom – 21 Pickup Combinations Demo by JamesOnGuitar

The Lucem Paradox Custom isn’t just another boutique guitar — it offers 21 different pickup combinations for an incredible range of tones. Join JamesOnGuitar as he plays through nearly every option over a Cinelli Brothers track, showcasing everything from vintage-inspired out-of-phase tones to punchy humbuckers and shimmering single coils.

lucem Guitars

demo

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namm 2021

Nick McCabe (The Verve) Demos Lucem Paradox “Old Nick”

"What happens when The Verve’s Nick McCabe designs his dream guitar with Lucem Guitars? Meet the Paradox ‘Old Nick’ — a boutique masterpiece built for total tonal control and stage-ready versatility."

Filmed at NAMM 2021, Nick McCabe (The Verve, Black Submarine) showcases his custom Lucem Paradox built by UK luthier Graham Skimming. Designed to streamline his rig and cut pedal dependency, the “Old Nick” merges Strat-like ergonomics with Gibson-style gain staging, coil-splitting, and a master volume for dynamic control.

boutique guitar showcase en tour | 2019 - 2025

  • A close-up of a Lucem electric guitar with a dark wood finish, metal hardware, and a unique body shape, set against a black background. The text reads 'Boutique Guitar Showcase enTour 2021'.

    BGS 2021

  • Close-up of a black and gray Lucem electric guitar with a wood grain finish and a black pickguard, set against a black background.

    BGS 2020

  • Close-up of an electric Lucem guitar with black pickguard, volume and tone knobs, and a wood finish body.

    BGS 2020

  • Close-up of a black Lucem electric guitar with chrome hardware and control knobs, and a wood grain finish.

    BGS 2019

  • Front and back of a Lucem Guitars, a black and gray electric guitar on the left with detailed specifications and a natural wood finish guitar on the right, shown on a black background with white text.

    BGS 2019

  • A guitar catalogue page showing the front and back of a Lucem Guitar, with specifications and prices, on a black background.

    BGS 2020

A young Graham Skimming wearing sunglasses, drinking from a cup outdoors on a sunny day.

“…with patience, precision, and a little bit of soul in every note.” 

  • After an engineering apprenticeship, he refined his craft at the Leeds College of Music, graduating with distinction in Musical Instrument Technology (HND) in 2003. His early career included building and repairing instruments for Overwater Basses, Northern Sounds, and top Cumbrian musicians. He has been mentored by renowned luthiers including Ted Lee, Shane Haigh (The String Surgeon), Hadyn Williams (Williams Guitars / Overwater Basses), Chris May (Overwater Basses), and Pavel Burres (BSG Guitars).

    Alongside his guitar work, Graham advanced his career in electrical and electronic engineering, becoming a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET). His company, Tonelabs Limited, now celebrates over a decade of designing high-integrity control and electrical instrumentation systems.

    Despite his technical achievements, Graham’s passion remains the same as when he was 15 — creating guitars that inspire. His instruments have found homes with artists across genres and countries, each one a reflection of his belief that the finest guitars merge beauty, playability, and individuality.

graham skimming | Luthier

gallery | Lucem guitars

Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar's body, showing the strings, pickups, and control knobs on a black background.
Close-up of a wooden Lucem guitar neck with tuning pegs, set against a black background.
Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar with a tiger stripe wood grain finish, black pickguard, and control knobs on a black background.
Electric Lucem guitar with a dark wood finish and tortoiseshell pickguard against a black background.
Close-up of a black Lucem electric guitar with a wood grain finish, highlighted against a black background.
A Lucem electric guitar with a dark wood finish, featuring a unique body shape and a swirling grain pattern. It has multiple control knobs and pickups, set against a black background.
A Lucem electric guitar with a dark finish, displayed vertically against a black background.
Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar headstock and neck with tuning pegs, made of wood with a striped, natural finish, against a black background.
Close-up of a dark brown Lucem electric guitar headstock with silver tuning pegs and strings, set against a black background.
Electric Lucem guitar with a wooden finish and tortoise shell pickguard, reflected on a black surface.
Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar body with control knobs labeled volume and tone, pickups, and a metal bridge, featuring a glossy wood finish.
Back of a Lucem electric guitar with a dark finish and a flame maple pattern, set against a black background.
Close-up of a Lucem electric guitar with a wooden finish, black pickguard, and multiple control knobs against a black background.