anyone have a guitar built?

[jaymarsch]

I have two single luthier built guitars that have pick ups in them and have done open mics with them. I wouldn’t characterize the tone as being “mostly lost” when I plug in. It is a different tonal experience and can be as satisfying depending on your sound set up and the signal chain. If you are going to play the guitar amplified only, then MrDB has a good point but otherwise, having the option of both the pure acoustic tone and the amplified tone is ideal in my experience.
Best,
Jayne

[printer2]

How much acoustical performance do you want from your guitar? Thin body guitars usually have more limited bass. What are the reasons why you want the body smaller? Arm bevels or a wedge shape (Manzer Wedge) to the body are things that can help ergonomically.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by eyesore

This is probably the wrong place for this ;but since I just can't seem to find a guitar to fit my specs; I am thinking of having one built . Does Martin do this or can anyone recommend someone? I don't want to go crazy ,pricewise ,I just want something kind of plain but built the way I would like it .Any you guys ever do this? Thanks.

What are your specs? Maybe we can help you find something, before you get on a 5 year waiting list.

[Matthew Sarad]

23 years ago I had John Kinnaird build me a 00 Cutaway of Flamed Cuban Mahogany and AAA Western Red Cedar
It was a bargain at $1,850.

[guitarman001]

Originally Posted by RussellHawaii

I’ve had four custom builds, (five counting an electric) and the experience is rewarding. In one case it resulted in one of my favorite guitars ever.
But here’s a twist… twice I had found a phenomenal guitar by a luthier that I bought. I thought ‘this is so awesome, let me ask Luthier to build me one like this, but even better!’ But twice it turned out that my custom build did not measure up to the prebuilt one I had fallen in love with.
Not sure of all of what I learned from this, but I think a great builder can build an awesome guitar from their own preferences that is better than whatever I think. Also, sometimes an existing awesome guitar cannot be surpassed, just appreciate it as is.
In one case I did get an even better guitar ( better suited to me, anyway), through good luck and great luthier choice.
In all cases it was a satisfying experience, but didn’t always result in a better guitar.

This is interesting because I'm on Halcyon waiting list and was thinking of an instrument similar to my Sitka / sapele Larrivee OM02. I.E. sapele and maybe Lutz or moon spruce for the top. They would be quite similar. Hmmmm.

[guitarman001]

Originally Posted by redir

Most guitar makers can probably tell you that they remember that one, that one guitar they made that was the very best. Their masterpiece. The sign of a good luthier is consistency but there is always a bit of luck involved too and once in a while you build one that really shines above the other.

The very best guitar I had ever built went out to a guy who played it for a couple years and sold it on eBay. The guy who bought it liked it so much I built 5 guitars for him already, all different except he wanted one just like this little parlor guitar that he bought on eBay except in rosewood. I knew right away it was going to be very difficult, how can I build a better guitar then the best one I ever built? As I suspected it was a disappointment for both of us. It was still a good guitar and he kept it but it simply did not have the magic that the master piece had.

I've built several of these parlor guitars now and none of them are as good.

But as they say any guitar is the right guitar for someone.

Incidentally the guy who bought that little parlor guitar recently contacted me and said he wished he never sold it and wants me to make him another one... Another daunting challenge.

In the end it's always best to play a guitar before you buy it. Next best as some have mentioned is to at least play a guitar that the luthier you have in mind built. If they have consistency then you will at least get close.

Wow great story and good luck replicating your masterpiece!!

[eyesore]

Originally Posted by MrDB

I'm going to be a dissenting opinion here. You want something like a 00 body shape, with a cutaway, shallow body? Pickup installed to be used for amplified gigs? Is that correct?

If so a custom build may not be what you'd be happy with, and I'm talking from a cost/benefit standpoint. A beautiful acoustic tone from a custom build is going to be mostly lost once you plug in and amplify.

A thinner body acoustic/electric with a top notch setup and electronics might be what you'd like and save mucho denero in the process.

Yessir you're probably right , it seems every time i look "standard "guitars ; there is something that turns me off. I 've also been toying with the idea of a CF guitar ;Rainsong'. I have never played on but then again I 've never played the one I want made either.ha

[printer2]

Originally Posted by guitarman001

This is interesting because I'm on Halcyon waiting list and was thinking of an instrument similar to my Sitka / sapele Larrivee OM02. I.E. sapele and maybe Lutz or moon spruce for the top. They would be quite similar. Hmmmm.

I was going to suggest them also.

[Guitars44me]

I suggest poke around in the Custom Shop/“luthier's corner”

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...splay.php?f=38

Originally Posted by Matthew Sarad

23 years ago I had John Kinnaird build me a 00 Cutaway of Flamed Cuban Mahogany and AAA Western Red Cedar
It was a bargain at $1,850.

John is currently working on our 7th build. Sheesh! Can you say addicting???

Cheers

Paul

[Teherie]

Over the past 18 years, I’ve ordered two customs, Larrivee and Martin. If you start and stick with a basic design, you can keep the cost down. Inlays, unusual or expensive wood and unique features can significantly add to the cost. I.E. a Florentine cutaway generally costs more than Venetian.

The first was an all mahogany 12 string (LV03) from Larrivee. I went through my dealer and we took a stock L03 and added a Venetian cutaway, mahogany top, bone nut and saddle. It took 9 weeks to build and I had an I-beam pickup installed and it arrived in an archtop case. I paid $1,000 plus the cost of the pickup for this one.

The second was a custom 000-12 fret Martin from the same dealer. This guitar is a combination of features from a 000-18, HD-35 and D-35S with a few tweaks of my own including:

000-18 - Body shape, 24.9 inch, short scale neck, some 18 style appointments
HD-35 - herringbone trim, scalloped bracing, neck binding
D-35S - slotted 12 fret headstock
My additions - 3 piece mahogany back, premium Sitka spruce top, tortoise shell binding on neck, body, heel cap, end piece, pick guard and bridge pins.

This guitar cost me $3,200 which was more than a stock 000-18 and less than an HD-35. It was in my hands 5 months and 1 day after I placed my order. I use a Fishman soundhole pickup and swap it between this guitar, 2 dreads and an OM.

One final suggestion, make sure you know what you want and discuss it with your dealer or luthier up front. Don’t try to change specs after you place your order and don’t call every week to check the status of the build.

[guitarman001]

Originally Posted by printer2

I was going to suggest them also.

Them as in Halcyon or as in the top woods?

I think Halcyon look great and mine will be over 2 years away.

I either go for something completely different or try to get a sapele with different top wood, it being my fave wood. Choices choices...

[The Bard Rocks]

[QUOTE=Teherie;7330935]Over the past 18 years, I’ve ordered two customs, Larrivee and Martin. If you start and stick with a basic design, you can keep the cost down. Inlays, unusual or expensive wood and unique features can significantly add to the cost. I.E. a Florentine cutaway generally costs more than Venetian.
.... [QUOTE]

I've had a number of builds, have discussed my wants extensively with other luthiers, and have looked at counters websites. I have not seen a close correlation between options and add-ons and builders. One might want $800 for this special wood and another might ask $250. One might include a sound port at no charge and another might want $500 to add it. While some are
"high" or "low" on most everything, one cannot make this a broad generlization. The takeaway is the total price to get it the way you want (assuming your wants are very clear and not negotiable) - are you both satisfied with this figure?

In real life I have discovered that I am often negotiable on some of the things I thought I wanted (or didn't want), either after further pondering or, more often, after discussing it with the builder. Prices are influenced by what materials they have in stock and the cost and difficulty of acquiring it elsewhere, their comfort level with performing certain modifications, and their past experiences. I listen to their advice.

[Leocino_2804]

I couldn't resist sharing my soon finished guitar below.
I decided to not do any fancy inlay, just the pure beauty of the wood

[eyesore]

Originally Posted by Leocino_2804

I couldn't resist sharing my soon finished guitar below.
I decided to not do any fancy inlay, just the pure beauty of the wood

Now that is a masterpiece!!!!

[Bluemonk]

Originally Posted by Leocino_2804

I couldn't resist sharing my soon finished guitar below.
I decided to not do any fancy inlay, just the pure beauty of the wood

Love the fingerboard. Is that zizicote?