Has anyone heard of Elijah Jewel guitars?

[Rosewood99]

I was searching for up and coming luthiers and found his website. Couldn't believe how beautiful his work is and how reasonable his build prices are. Heard a few clips. So tempting....I feel GAS coming

http://www.elijahjewelguitars.com/

Those look really nice. Unfortunately, if you don't live in TX, way too much of a gamble.

The designs are interesting. Looks like a mix of Native American and Hawaiian on the rosettes.

[TBman]

They looked really nice and the price is reasonable, but the sound quality of the video I watched on the website left me puzzled.

I have a 5.1 Logitech sound set up, not the cardboard $50 speakers that you find with a lot of home computers.

[Rosewood99]

Correction on the luthier. His name is Michael Kerry.

[Rosewood99]

Some more eye candy. If these sound half as good as they look they would be a great deal. Going to get some of his customers so send me some sound clips. I agree the one on their site was horribly miked.

[ohYew812]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

That buffalo has some wicked choppers!

Beautiful guitar! What's the top?

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by ohYew812

That buffalo has some wicked choppers!

Beautiful guitar! What's the top?

Not sure. I love the grain. Going to contact the luthier tomorrow and will ask more questions.

[Craviola]

These are really nice. I like the designs, wood combos and rosettes. Will be keeping my eye on this maker.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Craviola

These are really nice. I like the designs, wood combos and rosettes. Will be keeping my eye on this maker.

Had a nice conversation with the luthier. Asked him to give me some contacts of current owners and get some better sounding clips.

I know it's a big gamble, but some so far I have been lucky getting guitars I haven't played first. In fact none of my guitars have I actually played before I bought and I'm pretty happy.

His prices are amazing and the workmanship top notch. He said that unless I get something very specific in the customization (like my initials, etc) he offers a return policy.

[OMsong]

Paul,

Eye candy is right!

Did you ask him about specs like string spacing, fretboard radius, and neck shape? Does he allow customization of those?

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by OMsong

Paul,

Eye candy is right!

Did you ask him about specs like string spacing, fretboard radius, and neck shape? Does he allow customization of those?

I only asked about string spacing and scale (yes). Next time I have contact with him I'll ask about the others.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I only asked about string spacing and scale (yes). Next time I have contact with him I'll ask about the others.

He can customize just about everything. He carves his own necks so that isn't a problem and will do any radius, scale, etc. that you need. Single or Dual action truss rods. Nitro or French Polish. He also does exotic woods though it's an up charge.

I talked to several of his customers and they spoke very highly of their guitars and said he should be charging twice as much.

I think I am going to take the plunge!

I think I will go for a 14 fret dread, with 24.9 string spacing and a 14 fret radius. Haven't decided on what fancy extras I want yet.

Wish me luck.

[Greg Ballantyne]

Doggone..... if they sound 1/2 as good as they look - and I'm not really a bling sort. My appreciation is perhaps more toward elegance. But these only stray about two clicks past that. I'll have to check out the website.

[Rosewood99]

I am putting my deposit down tonight.

Here is what one of his recent customers emailed me today (he had an all koa built for him):

I have a John Denver Commemorative Taylor, all Koa, a Taylor Liberty Tree, and a Hank Mauel hand made- the Elijah Jewel is my favorite to play, beats the Taylor Koa tone hands down, and is every bit as good in quality of construction.

[Greg Ballantyne]

Gotta think about this.....