Couple of brand new Charis at incredible prices!

fitness1 · #1 05-20-2018, 03:39 PM

Ending on Ebay soon.....I played this one and it was excellent!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Charis...kAAOSwfZta8vkb

Bill was still working on this one, but I bet it's just as nice!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-Charis...wAAOSwf7Ja-0TF

Dustinfurlow · #2 05-20-2018, 04:08 PM

Good lord, stop it man!

robj144 · #3 05-20-2018, 04:59 PM

Very nice, but I just don't like the sharp Florentine cutaways. Otherwise, they're amazing.

ManyMartinMan · #4 05-20-2018, 05:34 PM

While I'm sure they play wonderfully being Charis guitars, at that price-point I would have to play and hear them. Also not a fan of sound-ports.

ManyMartinMan · #5 05-20-2018, 05:43 PM

My other concern should be obvious. It's being sold by Charis with a listed MSRP of $9,325 and an opening bid of $4,750 and a buy-it-now of $7,787.50 - with no bid. When any artist sells his/her work directly for a discount it effects everyone who is ordering customs and other's who wish to resell their guitars. For example when those of us lucky enough to score a great price privately from a sponsor, we still have the published MSRP and "street price" that we can resell against if we like. However if someone buys a custom from a builder for $9,000 and then wants to sell for $7,000-$8000 used but the builder is selling on line for half of MSRP - that kills resale. That has to be considered when buying or selling. Martin and Taylor would never do that.

Rosewood99 · #6 05-20-2018, 05:57 PM

It's not an incredible price until you see what the final bid is. Those are just the starting prices.

ManyMartinMan · #7 05-20-2018, 05:57 PM

Fitness I see you not only own one but also posted Bill's guitars for sale herein in the past. Please tell me how you find the playability and qualities of Charis SJ guitars. I have considered purchasing an SJ in the past and other than the amazing discount's effect on resale in the future potentially I'm interested in your opinion on their tone and volume.

fitness1 · #8 05-20-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Fitness I see you not only own one but also posted Mike's guitars for sale herein in the past. Please tell me how you find the playability and qualities of Charis SJ guitars. I have considered purchasing an SJ in the past and other than the amazing discount's effect on resale in the future potentially I'm interested in your opinion on their tone and volume.

Bill builds incredibly consistent guitars in terms of playability and tone. Like a lot of builders at the top of their game, he was a high level engineer for many years before he started building full time. This has had quite an effect on his "process" and allows him to build extremely perfect specimens in regard to workmanship.

Recently, he's gone to just building the SJ model (no more GC's or dreads) with different body depths. My favorite is the mid depth (which is what my Koa SJ is) it's the perfect blend of clarity and power to my ear, and records/mics incredibly well.

I got to play the Kenny Loggins guitar before he shipped it out - very shallow and less than 3 lbs. Not only was it a bit of an engineering miracle, but it sounded pretty incredible for such a shallow instrument (3" at the tail?)

His instruments always have great balance, full bass and nice thick trebles. Never any harsh frequencies.

fitness1 · #9 05-20-2018, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

That has to be considered when buying or selling. Martin and Taylor would never do that.

Bill doesn't have a dealer network, so that part of it is moot. The custom guitar market can be very tough at times, and like all full time/solo builders, they have to pay the bills too.

If you've ever been self employed, you'd understand that one!

fitness1 · #10 05-20-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

It's not an incredible price until you see what the final bid is. Those are just the starting prices.

At least it's an opportunity, and the auctions only have a couple hours left. The market is extremely soft right now - you never know.

ManyMartinMan · #11 05-20-2018, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitness1

Bill builds incredibly consistent guitars in terms of playability and tone.

Thanks for responding. Generally how are the trebles on his guitars?

fitness1 · #12 05-20-2018, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

Thanks for responding. Generally how are the trebles on his guitars?

My instrument is a testament to the fact that his trebles are always very thick with no shrill or thinness to them. You'd expect Koa/Sitka to be a little bright in the high end, not so.

I've never played one of his guitars (probably 50 or 60 conservatively) that didn't have very pleasing high end.

ManyMartinMan · #13 05-20-2018, 06:29 PM

Again. Thanks for the response. I wish I could hear one of these two (or both).

robj144 · #14 05-20-2018, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManyMartinMan

While I'm sure they play wonderfully being Charis guitars, at that price-point I would have to play and hear them. Also not a fan of sound-ports.

Just curious... why don't you like sound ports?

jojobean39 · #15 05-20-2018, 06:47 PM

That’s the only maker that I’ve got my eye on at this point. (I mean, I’m up for anything and I’ll buy a guitar from any maker) But Charis guitars are the only ones I’m specifically going to seek in the future.

His guitars are wonderful and, if I had $5k right now, I’d buy one of those, sight unseen.

I’ve only played a few, but they’re similar to the (few) Olsons I’ve played. Similar feel. Similar sound. They’re just quality instruments.