Recommend a builder in the UK?
 

My 40th birthday is looming in a couple of years and I have wanted a custom built guitar for quite some time. This would probably be the first and last luthier built instrument as a retired soldier with funds not in abundance. I am in the UK however and all the luthiers I admire seem to be in the US... I love Kevin Ryans work, James Olson of course, Jeff Traugott...all US builders.. We dont seem to have many here and other than Sobell, I dont really know of many others and certainly dont know what the quality would be like. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Nigel Forster had a pretty cool thread here recently. He'd be high on my list if I was looking to stay in the UK. Michael Watts from TNAG should be along shortly.

Bown has a great reputation.
One of the top guitars I have played was made in London by
Lipkin-Algranati. Fantastic tone and craftsmanship.

Ralph bown makes great sounding guitars from what I've heard online. I believe he's uk based but I could be wrong

Flyde guitars also spring to mind as well as brook guitars but I'm not sure if they are the one man band type of luthier you are looking for, again I could be wrong!

Main reason I dont want to order from the US is tye shipping. Too much risk involved when you have to rely on some of the morons I've encountered at postal depots etc Plus, I was considering Brazilian rosewood (among others) for back and sides and obviously it cant be shipped.

There are many - some good recommendations here:

http:http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180408//

I have a couple of McIroys that I consider rather special, Dermott will do customised nut, string spacing etc., and can offer many wood options.

I think you first need to settle on what you want.

I'll assume you want a top-of-the-class sole luthier guitar (you mention Sobell)?

Given that, there are three broad choices:

1. Modern, USA style, Californification guitar. Well, at present we don't do that very well in the UK (we will in the near future...), so that's not really on. There is no British Traugott, Somogyi or Kostal.

2. Traditional Martin type voice, but with added modern touches (think more overtones, clarity): IMHO that's Ralph Bown period. His work is world class. And very reasonably priced for what's on offer. Ralph's fit-and-finish is also exemplary so you can enjoy admiring it when you're not playing it. A Ralph OM could be a lifetime guitar.

3. Sobellesque, clarity, power, separation, and steeliness. We do that very well indeed. Obviously you can go to the Horse's mouth (i.e. Sobell himself) but Rory Dowling of Taran guitars make a fabulous alternative (for much less GBP) as does Nigel Forster as mentioned. Nigel is now in Germany but is often back in the UK so I wouldn't let that put you off. His session king guitar is idiosyncratic, dirt-cheap (relatively) and well worth consideration.

Of course there are many, many others. Nic Benjamin is well known. I played a fabulous Richard Osbourne a few years ago at a show. The list is long. Yo need to settle on what "style" you are after sonically - there is a huge chasm between a Bown OM and a Sobell model 1 in terms of style.

Cheers,
Steve

I am happy to order a US or Canadian made guitar for you from any of the luthiers I represent. The cost would be the same as ordering yourself after paying taxes etc. But not Brazilian rosewood as you say.

Abz, we have many luthiers in the UK.

Depending on the style you are seeking - my first stop would be ....
Richard Osborne http://www.osborneguitars.co.uk/

He was my maintenance and repair man for many years until he moved to Wales.

He's a lovely bloke, very perceptive and easy t work with.... and you could even consider making it yourself under his supervision!!

If you prefer guitars for the latest semi-percussive styles - then check out Nick Benjamin in Lewes - www.benjaminguitars.co.uk/

There is of course Stephen Sobell, and for fine, but more American stylings - Bown.

Dave King and Alistair Atkin both make American styled instruments.

There are many more - and here is a list :
http://www.britishmadeguitars.co.uk/...-makers-index/

+1 to everything Steve says here! Especially, first settling on what you want.

Yes, I certainly wouldn't discount a US-built guitar just because of the shipping.


Finally, are you sure you want a custom-built guitar? I would only recommend going down this route if you really know the builder's work first hand, and have a very clear idea of what you want. Otherwise it's going to be a complete stab in the dark, for both you and the builder, and may not end well.

There are two great dealers in the UK, specialising in US luthier-built instruments - The Acoustic Music Company in Brighton and The North American Guitar in London. I would strongly urge you to visit both, and play as many of their stock guitars as you can to get a real feel for the different luthiers. You are more than likely to find the guitar that's perfect for you from stock.

Only if you find one that is close to perfect, and you're sure about what you want to change in a custom instrument, would I then place a custom order with that luthier.

Finding a selection of guitars from UK luthiers is much more difficult. But the same applies - I would always recommend you to try a guitar built by a luthier before considering placing a custom order.

Cheers,
David

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer...UTF8&msa=0&z=6

Here's a useful resource on the locations of many
British luthiers ...

UK Luthier
 

Gary Southwell builds a spectacular steel string, and it will be fully handmade, he makes his own glue and finish.


https://www.facebook.com/45210238154..._video&theater

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated. I am sure I want a custom, yes. I think at least one person asked that and its a fair question. I have what is probably as good as it gets with factory built, an old martin and the thing is, I wont do or get anything else for my 40th, I've wanted to have a guitar made just for me for the longest time (I've also wanted to build one for the longest time too but thats for another thread I think...lol) and I've played a few luthier built guitars and the difference was immense to me. I played a Traugott, a model R I believe, a few years ago. It was german spruce with african blackwood back and sides and it just blew me away. The best guitar I ever played, to my ear and feel, was a James Goodall with Italian spruce top and macassar ebony back and sides. That guitar was so tough to put down. Had I the funds that day I would have undoubtedly bought it. I will try to get to one of the recommended shops to look at some guitars though. I like Goodalls very much. I've played two and both were amazing. If theres a 'sound' I like, thats it, though how to describe it, beats me...

Hi, can I ask if I order through you guys does it work out any cheaper as far as shipping goes etc? Also, am I right in thinking Brazilian rosewood is the only wood that cant be shipped?

The price works out the same but I take care of all the shipping hassles. No problems with any other woods.

After initial consultations you would work directly with the luthier.