Best luthiers in UK for a 000 12 fret build.

[gitarro]

Ralph bown would have to be considered.

[gitarro]

I sent a pm to you on Ralph bown.

Originally Posted by NickRundall

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Much appreciated. There are a few there I'd not heard of. Taran do look amazing and I'm still trying to track down an email / number for Ralph Bown. It's like he's in witness protection, or something! Although Tom Sands is amazing, I'm drawn to something more traditional this time. Definitely one for the future though. A bit too much for my current budget too. Trying to keep to maximum between £5-6k.
I've played a few Atkins guitars recently and they were really good - but I then compared them to a couple of Collings and Bourgeois' that were next to them and they we're next level.
Turnstone are interesting, if not traditional. I met Rosie and played a few of hers at the UK Guitar Show. Very impressive.
Flying to the US to collect and carry home is food for though....

[NickRundall]

Originally Posted by gitarro

I sent a pm to you on Ralph bown.

Thanks Gitarro! Much appreciated.

[slaski]

Ralph Bown builds amazing guitars:

[DamianL]

Wow!

What a lovely collection...I wouldn’t know which one to play first!

I think maybe the front and centre twelve fretted...

[slaski]

Originally Posted by DamianL

Wow!

What a lovely collection...I wouldn’t know which one to play first!

I think maybe the front and centre twelve fretted...

That's Ralph's BB6 model (six string version of a Barbeque Bob 12 string) in Sitka and Indian Rosewood. The others are an SJ, an OMX and an OM.

The photo was taken a few years ago - the SJ and OMX have since found new homes

[jt1]

Ah, I'd earlier forgotten: Rosie Heydenrych, of Turnstone Guitars, in Newchapel. I met Rose and her guitars at last fall's Holy Grail show in Berlin. Wonderful work. Wonderful person.

[steveh]

Just to be different...

...Ralph Bown.

Fabulous sound, woodworking (second to none), and well-priced for what you’re getting. If you’re after a more “traditional” sound, he’s at the top of the list. I’d go Tom Sands for a modern tone.

Cheers,
Steve

[jt1]

Originally Posted by steveh

Just to be different...

...Ralph Bown.

Not very different. This is the fifth reference to Ralph in 5 pages.

[NickRundall]

Yes, I’m definitely going to contact Ralph Bown. I was so impressed with Clive Carroll’s guitar. Stunning tone.

Rosie at Turnstone is amazing, definitely on my wish list, but with her I’d be more tempted to do something unusual and less traditional. She has such amazing wood combinations. I’d love to do something with the Bog Oak and a more unusual top wood.

[malcolm kelt]

Some excellent recommendations for UK builders.
I'm no expert regarding import duties/taxation but it may be worth checking with a UK dealer if you would have these liabilities. In the past I have ordered custom builds from Bourgeios and Collings through UK dealers and have paid UK list prices. Currently I have a custom build from Collings underway and although not cheap the price for the guitar, including the custom requirements, is the same as if I purchased a similar guitar from a store in the UK.

[steveh]

Originally Posted by jt1

Not very different. This is the fifth reference to Ralph in 5 pages.

I'd hoped it was obvious to readers that I was being ironic?

On the other hand, perhaps the British sense of humour is getting lost in translation?

Cheers,
Steve

[steveh]

Until Chris Stern comes along, the OP shoud check this: It's a 12 fret cutaway for fingerstyle that Ralph told me he has been "developing" for some time.



Cheers,
Steve

[jt1]

Originally Posted by steveh

I'd hoped it was obvious to readers that I was being ironic?

On the other hand, perhaps the British sense of humour is getting lost in translation?

I plead guilty to being dense!

[NickRundall]

Originally Posted by malcolm kelt

Some excellent recommendations for UK builders.
I'm no expert regarding import duties/taxation but it may be worth checking with a UK dealer if you would have these liabilities. In the past I have ordered custom builds from Bourgeios and Collings through UK dealers and have paid UK list prices. Currently I have a custom build from Collings underway and although not cheap the price for the guitar, including the custom requirements, is the same as if I purchased a similar guitar from a store in the UK.

Yes, I'm new to importing too. I've already priced up Collings and Bourgeois custom orders for this via Ivor Mairants and it is all factored into the UK price. But I've had quotes for Froggy Bottom and Circa that seem way higher than the prices on their websites that equate to the duty and extra 20% vat that you'd expect. In this case it would definitely make financial sense to go and collect in person.