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  #1  
Old 11-20-2009, 08:07 PM
PeteEvans PeteEvans is offline
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Default Custom Guitar

Who prefers custom made guitars over those available in the malls?
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  #2  
Old 11-21-2009, 09:33 AM
Kevin A Kevin A is offline
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I do...I do!! I do!!!..........

I've yet to find ANY mall retailer or local guitar store that carries ANY quality left-handed guitars. Even the high-end stores (except obviously the 'specialty' left-handed guitar retailers) carry a pretty pathetic selection (maybe one, sometimes 2!!). I completely understand why. That's also one of the reasons I began going the custom route.
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  #3  
Old 11-21-2009, 10:31 AM
Coke_zero Coke_zero is offline
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I think most people would, however where I live it is getting increasingly difficult to find a shop that stocks any real custom guitars. I think the small independant guitar shop is slowly vanishing and the owners are making safe choices on what they stock. many shops I go to now will either stock Martin or Taylor, Gibson or Fender and so on.

The best music shops I have seen are the ones in small towns.

I honestly can't remember the last time I found a custom guitar in a shop which they had from new (rather than a trade in or bought second hand). There are exceptions of course like The Acoustic Guitar Company and Forsyths.
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Old 11-21-2009, 10:52 AM
Fran Guidry Fran Guidry is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Coke_zero View Post
I think most people would, however where I live it is getting increasingly difficult to find a shop that stocks any real custom guitars. I think the small independant guitar shop is slowly vanishing and the owners are making safe choices on what they stock. many shops I go to now will either stock Martin or Taylor, Gibson or Fender and so on.

The best music shops I have seen are the ones in small towns.

I honestly can't remember the last time I found a custom guitar in a shop which they had from new (rather than a trade in or bought second hand). There are exceptions of course like The Acoustic Guitar Company and Forsyths.
You've just given me another reason to stay in the San Francisco Bay Area. Around here I can visit a half dozen custom builders in person (just counting the ones I've known for years) and within an hour's drive I can visit a half dozen stores that stock small shop and solo builder instruments.

Check the stock list at Gryphon: http://www.gryphonstrings.com/
Let's see what Steve Swan has these days: http://www.steveswanguitars.com/
Eric Schoenberg usually has something interesting: http://www.om28.com

On top of this bounty of exquisite instruments we have gorgeous weather, spectacular natural beauty, a full spectrum of cultural activities, and some of the best food in the world whether you look in grocery stores or restaurants.

These are the things I remind myself when I'm sitting in traffic <grin>.

Fran
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  #5  
Old 11-21-2009, 10:57 AM
Coke_zero Coke_zero is offline
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I'm sure there are stores which stock custom guitars in London, but have I found any? Nope.

If I am honest, I can't even find a builder in my local area. I knew a guy who made guitars for a living but I had lost contact with him years ago.
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Old 11-21-2009, 12:31 PM
Fliss Fliss is offline
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I like custom and hand built guitars - I just like their individuality.

CZ, whereabouts in the country are you? Perhaps someone might be able to point you in the direction of some custom builders in your area?

Fliss

Last edited by Fliss; 11-21-2009 at 01:08 PM.
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  #7  
Old 11-21-2009, 02:47 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
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I prefer custom guitars (not just because I build them) or vintage guitars. A guitar you could buy thousands of just doesn't excite me. I suppose you could buy thousands of vintage guitars , but to me the old ones each have their own personality.
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Old 11-21-2009, 05:12 PM
Coke_zero Coke_zero is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fliss View Post
I like custom and hand built guitars - I just like their individuality.

CZ, whereabouts in the country are you? Perhaps someone might be able to point you in the direction of some custom builders in your area?

Fliss
West london. I know there is a builder in Kent (his name escapes me) but that is still over a 2 hour drive at best.

I am still looking into Brook, but if I can go as local as possible that would be even better.
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Old 11-22-2009, 05:14 AM
Fliss Fliss is offline
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West London, hmm, it is surprising that there don't seem to be more builders in that area. The luthier in Kent that you're thinking of might be Alistair Atkin, in Canterbury: http://www.atkinguitars.com/

Ivor Maraints in London stocks a few hand made guitars, though, including Brook and Atkin: http://www.ivormairants.co.uk/store/home.php

There is of course Tamco in Brighton (definitely recommended, but I appreciate that's going to be an hour or more from where you are) and there's also Guitar Junction http://www.guitarjunction.com/ and there are one or two luthiers in that area such as Richard Osborne: http://www.osborneguitars.co.uk/index.html

If you can travel a little in another direction, it might be worth contacting Gary Nava, on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border http://www.navaguitars.co.uk/index.html

Fliss

Last edited by Fliss; 11-22-2009 at 08:19 AM.
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  #10  
Old 11-22-2009, 08:18 AM
Coke_zero Coke_zero is offline
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Thanks for the information Fliss. I just remember that David Reid works in Battersea, but his prices are a little out of my league.
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