Just ordered a custom built guitar.

[Toby Walker]

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of playing an incredible instrument owned by one of the other instructors at a guitar camp where we were both teaching. Taking a look at the headstock of this remarkable copy of a 1935 Gibson Jumbo, I wasn't surprised, as I had been hearing of this builder for a few years now.

Then a couple of weeks ago another one of that builder's guitars shows up at a workshop I was doing in Vermont. Although it was a 12 fret parlor, it had a wonderful, marvelous projection and a superb tone.

So I finally called the builder - who is just one guy who produces only about 30 to 40 guitars a year - and we nailed down the order. Turns out he's heard of me as well, was always meaning to get in touch with me, and is very much acquainted with my music - which made it pretty easy to specify the model which would fit my style of playing. You can be sure that once this guitar is in my hands, I'll be a strong and loyal endorser.

Of course, you're probably wondering who this builder is. Well, my mischievous inner child is going to keep you guessing on that one. Suffice to say the builder has quite a reputation, and deservedly so. You can bet I'll be sending along pictures of the guitars progress. Unlike Wayne Henderson, this isn't going to take 10 years, just one.

[The Growler]

Such a tease.

[paulzoom]

One guy who does 30 or forty a year? How is that possible?

[SprintBob]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

Of course, you're probably wondering who this builder is. Well, my mischievous inner child is going to keep you guessing on that one. Suffice to say the builder has quite a reputation, and deservedly so. You can bet I'll be sending along pictures of the guitars progress. Unlike Wayne Henderson, this isn't going to take 10 years, just one.

When you said Vermont, I thought Froggy Bottom but that’s about 3-4 guys that put their hands on each new build. One man show, that will take more digging.

[ataylor]

I hope it’s who I think it is.

[Wade Hampton]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

One guy who does 30 or forty a year? How is that possible?

By having a well-planned and efficiently laid out shop, and as many jigs and fixtures to minimize the work as possible. With three or four guitars at various stations of production, as the glue sets on one the luthier steps over to another to do some work, and so forth.

It’s mainly a matter of getting organized for optimum production.


whm

[Dwight]

Is it a Dale Fairbanks? I had the good fortune to be in a shop when he brought in a beautiful Brazilian Rosewood Gibson style dread of some sort. It was light weight and had magnificent tone. This is one of the few times I've ever had to think about it. A few days later when I asked about it, it was gone.

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

By having a well-planned and efficiently laid out shop, and as many jigs and fixtures to minimize the work as possible. With three or four guitars at various stations of production, as the glue sets on one the luthier steps over to another to do some work, and so forth.

It’s mainly a matter of getting organized for optimum production.


whm

Or...having as FEW jigs and fixtures as possible, to save set up and tear down time...a LOT of production time gets burned up in a heavily jigged/fixtured up building process

I know a builder who works that minimalist jigs and fixtures way and builds 40+ year...{;-)

duff
Be A Player...Not A Polisher

[docwatsonfan]

Of course, you're probably wondering who this builder is. Well, my mischievous inner child is going to keep you guessing on that one.

perhaps a John Walker Wise River

[Toby Walker]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

One guy who does 30 or forty a year? How is that possible?

It certainly has been for quite some time now.

[Toby Walker]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

By having a well-planned and efficiently laid out shop, and as many jigs and fixtures to minimize the work as possible. With three or four guitars at various stations of production, as the glue sets on one the luthier steps over to another to do some work, and so forth.

It’s mainly a matter of getting organized for optimum production.


whm

Absolutely, yes.

[justonwo]

If you’re not going to reveal the name, then I’m going to . . . um . . . well, I have no recourse. But I don’t like it. Not one little bit.

[svea]

Originally Posted by Toby Walker

It certainly has been for quite some time now.

A builder with the initials J.G. comes to my mind. I've heard he's still knocking 'em out of the park. I once owned a prototype of one of his L-OOv guitars for a while. Fun!

Toby, I'm assuming you want us to try and guess. But if not, too bad!!

Svea

[Toby Walker]

Originally Posted by svea

A builder with the initials J.G. comes to my mind. I've heard he's still knocking 'em out of the park. I once owned a prototype of one of his L-OOv guitars for a while. Fun!

Toby, I'm assuming you want us to try and guess. But if not, too bad!!

Svea

Not sure who J.G. is but nope, those aren't the initials of my guy.

[cmd612]

Originally Posted by docwatsonfan

perhaps a John Walker Wise River

I like the idea of Toby Walker on a John Walker, but John only builds around a dozen per year.