Good European luthiers

[rogthefrog]

Ted Åstrand has made some of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard, at least recordings of.

[antsdmb]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

There are very many fine luthiers in the Uk, and many in other parts of the EU.
I would have suggested Richard Osborne, Nick Benjamin, Sobell, Bown, Vanden, Forster, Dave King, Atkin, Northworthy etc.

However the OP has stated very specific design aspects, and so I saw little point in mentioning these names.

I suggest that he does his own research - start with British Luthiers, and widens his net country by country until he finds someone that builds the kind of thing that he seeks.

Astrand was the point of my post and very applicable. I did read the original post. So strange to read a non anti Huss and dalton post from you.

[Howard Klepper]

Claudio Pagelli in Switzerland does brilliant modern design.

[LaFaro]

Originally Posted by David Wren

You should definitely consider Shane Briggs ... absolutely top notch work!

http://www.shanebriggsguitars.com/

Shane Briggs certainly builds brilliant instruments, but he works not really in Europe
or did he move in the last months?

[LaFaro]

Originally Posted by antsdmb

Depending on your goal here's the cream of the crop imo


Blazer and Henkes in Germany
Per Marklund in Sweden

Both of these builders are Martin/Gibson inspired and period correct which doesn't sound like the ticket here.

Ted Astrand in Sweden for a more modern tone and possibly this project.

I'd stack these three up against anyone out there in the world.

Mark

so do I with Alexander Voss
but in my ears and eyes it doesn't make really a lot of sense to make a kind "of ranking" or "who's the best", because the ideas and demands of everyone are -beside of "fashions"- more or less different... for me it is more important to get the feeling of being understood, to be able to communicate easily about music, the instrument and so on... on this level of building there are "some gods in the Olympus
sorry for my bumpy English, but it is not so easy to express it in another language.

[RodB]

Have you considered Brook guitars in the U.K.? I'm pretty sure they can accommodate your spec.

[N K Forster]

There is no shortage of capable makers in Europe. You're coming from this from the angle of wanting "your spec" rather than the angle of wanting a specific sound.

You've already been given a big list of names to look at, you probably don't need any more. And no, it's not a gig I'm interested in, so you can remove me from the list if you've not already!

What I'd suggest is go through the websites and see who does this sort of work already. Eliminate the rest. Stop looking!

Next, go through as many sound samples and videos you can. Make a short list of the ones you like best. No point in contacting someone if you don't like how their work sounds. Contact the makers and ask prices. These two steps will reduce the list further as some will be affordable and some will not.

Then, if you can, see if you can try their work out. It's not always possible. If they have nothing to try it's down to trust. Not everyone is suited to this process so be honest with yourself. If you're not, there is no shortage of used work out their either.

Alternatively, talk to an experienced dealer like Trevor in Brighton or Michael in London. They know who does what, and well. They can help narrow your choices down for you and handle the commission to get you the best instrument to meet your wants and budget.

Nigel
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/

[murrmac123]

Originally Posted by N K Forster

.
Alternatively, talk to an experienced dealer like Trevor in Brighton or Michael in London.
http://www.nkforsterguitars.com/

I think Trevor and Michael are far more acquainted with American luthiers than they are with European builders.

[N K Forster]

Originally Posted by murrmac123

I think Trevor and Michael are far more acquainted with American luthiers than they are with European builders.

They are, but they are no strangers to European dealers too despite the names of their companies. Both also deal with European makers.

And if I am wrong (which is always a strong possibility), the rest of what I say still stands.

Starting off with a specific "spec" in mind has become a lot more common the last few years. There are so many makers. If a person is serious about getting something made at some point, you have to start cutting the list down from many to one.

Nigel
www.nkforsterguitars.com

[HNS]

Anton Sandner from Germany as well

http://www.mjguitars.de/en/anton-sandner/

[David Wren]

Originally Posted by LaFaro

Shane Briggs certainly builds brilliant instruments, but he works not really in Europe
or did he move in the last months?

Doah ... what was I thinking! Still ... he makes great stuff!

[grosskate]

Thanks folks, that gives me pretty good list to start with.

Of course i m after a very particular sound, but I prefer to look for the features Luthiers offer and then narrow down to the sound i m looking for by getting in touch with the luthiers themselves. The setting up and intonation need to be as perfect as it can be

I mainly play in fingerstyle, and a bit of light struming. I m looking for a more modern and complex sound.

Thank you all again for the input. If you got other names in mind, this thread might be of use to others in the futur.

[ukrobbiej1]

Deleted**********

[PierreM]

Well, there's Franck Cheval (Thomas Fejoz's master) and Alain Queguiner in France. Two very skilled luthiers since the beginning of the eighties.
Benoit de Bretagne, too, younger but very much involved in high quality, bespoke guitars... and, fo course, speaking of bevels and fanned frets you could have a look a the Lowden range
http://www.chevalguitars.com/gc/
http://www.alain-queguiner.com/
http://www.benoit-de-bretagne.com/
http://www.lowdenguitars.com/

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Ted Åstrand has made some of the best sounding guitars I have ever heard, at least recordings of.

^^^THIS^^^ I'm sure there are others, but if I were looking for a European builder to meet your desired design requirements, I would personally go with Ted Åstrand.