Would you buy a guitar of a student luthier ?

[l8tstartr]

I found this very nice looking guitar, that was made by someone as a student at Galloup School of Lutherie. I wouldn't be able to play it before buying, but it sure looks like it's nicely built and is certainly reasonably priced.

So, how do others feel about taking this kind of chance?

I have no affiliation with the seller.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/32395837684...torefresh=true

[foxo]

I think it’s worth a punt. If the guitar was too poor to sell I doubt he’d chance the hit to reputation.

[RP]

It looks nice, but I'd contact Bryan Galloup and see what kind of student this guy was...

[Dbone]

Looks incredible....nice vibe about it...

[TBman]

You need more pictures - saddle height, neck joint (both sides), where the bridge meets the body on the lower bout, side view of top, etc.

[Brucebubs]

If I was a 100% dedicated fingerstyle guitarist I would give that guitar some serious consideration - the price is very reasonable and the workmanship looks excellent.



I like that rosette and matching headstock work.

[musicman1951]

A no name, no reputation guitar that I can't play before I buy and can't return.

It's hard to imagine I'd pay more than a couple hundred for such an opportunity. But I'm not much of a risk taker. Maybe you'll get lucky.

[Mbroady]

If the seller accepted returns then I would take a chance. But the the seller specifically states no returns. I would pass

[H165]

This guitar appears to be worth more than the asking price to me. It's sort of a decision about disposable income and risk.

I note he says his new builds sell for $2k. I'd wonder if that's asking, or sold prices. If it's sold prices, that means there's some demand for his work, which means there must be something good about it.

What leans me most in the seller's favor is the closeup picture of the rosette work. If that's 100% his own "student" work, including the routing and install, I'd take the risk. The best luthiers in the world all started somewhere.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by H165

This guitar appears to be worth more than the asking price to me. It's sort of a decision about disposable income and risk.

I note he says his new builds sell for $2k. I'd wonder if that's asking, or sold prices. If it's sold prices, that means there's some demand for his work, which means there must be something good about it.

What leans me most in the seller's favor is the closeup picture of the rosette work. If that's 100% his own "student" work, including the routing and install, I'd take the risk. The best luthiers in the world all started somewhere.

Exactly!
That's some nice looking work there.

[RP]

Originally Posted by H165

...I note he says his new builds sell for $2k. I'd wonder if that's asking, or sold prices. If it's sold prices, that means there's some demand for his work, which means there must be something good about it...

Or wishful thinking...

[Brucebubs]

Interesting mix of views and opinions.

[Goodallboy]

If I bought guitars I haven't played, that looked nice, and were fairly priced, that one would be as good as any other that met those criteria.

Having bought a few that way and subsequently having been very disappointed at having a mediocre guitar that I then needed to sell, I stopped that practice.

[charles Tauber]

I still have the first guitar that I made in 1978 while attending a guitar making school. For sentimental reasons, it isn't an instrument that I'd ever sell. While each of us is different, it seems odd to me that the seller would sell his first guitar.

[JonWint]

A now-pro luthier should accept returns.

Bridge is suspect. Ill fitting saddle/slot, too little compensation, and looks like it is cracked along all pin holes.