Custom guitar suggestion

NJLefty · #1 01-16-2019, 07:27 PM

Had a difficult year personally (lost a loved one), but a great year professionally. As a result I'd like to treat myself to a really special guitar and being a lefty that almost certainly means something custom so lots of options on the table. Budget is somewhere in the 5K ish range. Two questions.

1. What would be a cool way to customize to subtly honor someone you've lost?
2. What would be your dream spec in that range?

I'm mostly a strummer (singer songwriter stuff) but looking to maybe add a different type of guitar to the collection. Currently play mostly my 000-15m and old Taylor 310. Also have a hog GS Mini.

Thinking of a wide range right now, but something like a Huss, Bourgeois, Collins probably an adi/hog OM. I know people say play them, but as a lefty that's sadly not an option. :-(

gr81dorn · #2 01-16-2019, 07:38 PM

I think maybe just a tiny nod by adding a little inlay to the heel cap would be classy and understated.

guitar george · #3 01-16-2019, 07:39 PM

I would get some custom designed headstock or truss rod cover inlays.

Gibson Headstock.jpg 18 12 12 GUILD D-55 (1).jpg

El Conquistador · #4 01-16-2019, 08:00 PM

Commission any of the fine luthiers here then talk to Jimi Wingert about a special inlay for that guitar. http://www.jimmiwingertinlay.com/

Steve

mattyc71 · #5 01-16-2019, 08:06 PM

ROAD TRIP!! There are a couple of high-end lefty specialists in our corner of the country and at least one is in driving distance. I you're looking for something nice, get in touch with Vic at LeftyGuitarsOnly.com in Rhode Island - you won't be disappointed! A little bit further away is Dale Rabiner at DHR in Cincy. Both of these shops have really nice stuff for you to try.

BTW - if you've never played a cocobolo guitar you owe it to yourself to try one. Just sayin'.

Good Luck!

Paddy1951 · #6 01-16-2019, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJLefty

Had a difficult year personally (lost a loved one), but a great year professionally. As a result I'd like to treat myself to a really special guitar and being a lefty that almost certainly means something custom so lots of options on the table. Budget is somewhere in the 5K ish range. Two questions.

1. What would be a cool way to customize to subtly honor someone you've lost?
2. What would be your dream spec in that range?

I'm mostly a strummer (singer songwriter stuff) but looking to maybe add a different type of guitar to the collection. Currently play mostly my 000-15m and old Taylor 310. Also have a hog GS Mini.

Thinking of a wide range right now, but something like a Huss, Bourgeois, Collins probably an adi/hog OM. I know people say play them, but as a lefty that's sadly not an option. :-(

Until you decide which custom guitar to go with, here is a little thing you can do.

Both of your Taylors have truss rod covers. You could replace them with custom covers. What you have scribed on to them could be anything you think appropriate to your friend. A phrase, initials, a symbol...

It is nice that you want to honor your friend.

chippygreen · #7 01-16-2019, 10:18 PM

Personally I'd be tempted to talk to Marcus Wong about a luthier built Heinonen which I think still has an entry price of $5k.

NJLefty · #8 01-16-2019, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr81dorn

I think maybe just a tiny nod by adding a little inlay to the heel cap would be classy and understated.

Love the idea of a heel cap. We are from New England (Vermont) so a bourgeois Adi/maple might be interesting. Do think it would be possible to inlay a Morse code of my mom’s initials in the back strip? I’d really like it to be subtle enough that you wouldn’t know unless you knew. Does that make sense?

gr81dorn · #9 01-16-2019, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJLefty

Love the idea of a heel cap. We are from New England (Vermont) so a bourgeois Adi/maple might be interesting. Do think it would be possible to inlay a Morse code of my mom’s initials in the back strip? I’d really like it to be subtle enough that you wouldn’t know unless you knew. Does that make sense?

I like the idea and subtle is maybe more personal and meaningful than something in your face.

I would strongly urge you to talk to Adam Buchwald whose brand is called Circle Strings. Right in your price range and he’s in New England (Vermont). He used to build for Froggy Bottom and has been on his own for awhile and makes super cool unique instruments and he’s got some capabilities and flexibility that most of the bigger name folks you’ve mentioned seem to shy away from or price people out of doing it in most cases.

gr81dorn · #10 01-16-2019, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJLefty

Adi/maple might be interesting.

That combo sounds like it would shatter glass.

Marcus Wong · #11 01-17-2019, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chippygreen

Personally I'd be tempted to talk to Marcus Wong about a luthier built Heinonen which I think still has an entry price of $5k.

Thanks for the shout out!

@OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. But I'm glad to hear that some things are going your way. Luthiers like John Datlen, Jayson Bowerman and Drew Heinonen would be around your budget. And I would collaborate with Harvey Leach inlays for that something special (he's the guy behind milestone Martins such as the 1.5th Million Martin) - believe it or not, he's quite affordable.

I shall drop you a PM with more details

SalFromChatham · #12 01-17-2019, 04:16 AM

I’d go for a lefty Gruhn 0000-18 sinker mahogany. And then I’d get an inlay of the Morse code you desire on the fretboard somewhere up by 18.

I have a D15 with inlays of my family members’ names on the higher frets. Nichols did it... upstate New York. Phenomenal job and inexpensive.

SoCalSurf · #13 01-17-2019, 08:04 AM

Tough situation you are in but I love the idea of memorializing somebody through a custom feature on your new guitar. I am having a custom built, and the luthier sent me information on how to do custom inlays, fret markers, and headstock designs. They had hundreds of options to choose from but also do anything you want. So there definitely is an option to do something very personal on your guitar.

Personally, I think something very subtle would be ideal. Perhaps a single marker of initials or something else representative of the person's interests (i.e., a dog paw if s/he loved dogs) would be all you need to see to commemorate your memory of this person.

Best of luck and don't rush through this process. Hopefully this will be a guitar you will have for life.

D41Fan · #14 01-17-2019, 11:45 AM

NJLefty, first off I;m sorry for your loss..I was in the same position a year ago. I suffered 2 heart attacks and then a month later my mother passed. It was a very hard time, and still is.
I ordered a custom Martin D41 in Madi and knowing that personalizing a guitar can be tricky incase you may need to sell it one day. I decided to go with a tree of life inlay on the pickguard and bridge. The tree of life reminds me of my mother and yet is easily sellable if the time comes.
Good luck in your decision, there are lots of options when going custom.

NJLefty · #15 01-17-2019, 05:23 PM

Some great suggestions. I think I am going to just do a "P" (dot-dash-dash-dot) * -- -- * on the fretboard at either the 12th or the 17th (her birthday). "Dots" would be snowflake to honor our chilly Vermont heritage. I think it would be really understated to the point that you wouldn't even notice. Particularly if it's on the 12th.

Thanks!