3 best Best luthiers

[MattJohnPaul]

I have only owned taylors really... A few martins and a larrivee once... But now all of these handmade guitars are starting to catch my eye

I dont know a lot about them yet, and was hoping the forum could point me in the right direction. Who are the 3 best luthiers out there right now if I decide to get a guitar for myself. (Price is not really an issue, so I just care about quality)

Thanks

[L Kragenbrink]

"Best" is very subjective and I don't believe there can be a definitive answer.
There my be a luthier that is best suited to build YOU a guitar. But that doesn't necessarily mean that he/she is the "best" only that what they build fits your style and needs.

[SongwriterFan]

Well, if you go by "the most expensive must be the best", then I guess you'd have to say that Ervin Somogyi is one of the best:


http://www.esomogyi.com/

Be prepared for sticker shock, though.


Now, I've never played one of his guitars, so I can't really say how it compares to other luthiers' work.


I have played (and own) guitars by Tim McKnight, though (he's a sponsor here on AGF), and I'll have to say that his are the best guitars I've played to date.

Note: I haven't played ANY guitars by the other luthiers here who are sponsors and/or post quite frequently. But I'm quite sure you could find at least ONE luthier here who would make something you like.

[Brent Nelson]

What happened to saving money for law school????
Brent

[markt]

Originally Posted by L Kragenbrink

"Best" is very subjective and I don't believe there can be a definitive answer.
There my be a luthier that is best suited to build YOU a guitar. But that doesn't necessarily mean that he/she is the "best" only that what they build fits your style and needs.

+1 to that!

Very subjective, there are always luthiers who are in vogue at any given time (usually for very good reason), but who can say with any certainty who the best actually are, particularly if you are looking for a top three.

I think you would have to get out and play lots of handbuilt guitars to get a feel for who your own top builders potentially are. A good excuse for a trip to Healdsburg or Newport in Miami or Montreal.

[Jim Tozier]

Esteban
First Act
Rogue

I know it's all subjective, but I'm pretty sure I'm right.

[Jeff M]

There are MANY EXCELLENT builders out there today, so don't take this too serisously.
There are so many builders whose guitars I'm dying to try, but haven't had the chance to yet. All the folks who post here, for instance.

Of those I have had a chance to play, some of my fav's, considering tone, craftsmanship, and that "something magical" that I feel about their guitars (in no particular order);

Kim Walker.
Julius Borges.
Jim Olson.
Kevin Ryan.
Bruce Petros.

Some of these folks build "vintage style" guitars, some "modern".
All are artists at what they do.

Some have waiting periods of around 6-9 months.
Some of around 7-8 years.

[Fngrstyl]

Check out these used Traugott's, and they are 11 years old. Crazy! I know it is hard to tell just from Audio samples, but these two don't sound as good to me, as a lot of other ( way cheaper ) guitar(s) samples at Dream Guitar. I do think Jeff's guitars are some of the nicest looking out there. I love the style of them.


http://www.dreamguitars.com/preowned...r_00934027.htm

http://www.dreamguitars.com/preowned...K_00945028.htm

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by MattJohnPaul

...Who are the 3 best luthiers out there right now if I decide to get a guitar for myself. (Price is not really an issue, so I just care about quality)

Hi MJP...
The three who can connect with what you want and build it for you. Your style is not the same as others, so your needs are likely unique as well.

My style requires lightly built, highly responsive, tons of sustain, really strong tactile feedback for the player, clear ringing high end all the way up to the 19th fret, full fat trebles and articulate bass.

There is no way I could narrow it to only 3, but $$ could be the factor which would nudge me away from one, and toward another - simply being able to afford it in the case of Somogyi or Olson these days.

Builders I've played examples of their guitars with who could definitely build a guitar for me in random order are:

• James Olson - I've owned one of these for more than 15 years
• Ervin Somogyi - best guitar I ever played he built - OM cutaway Brazilian Rosewood/German Spruce
• Michael Bashkin - I own one of these - 3 1/2 years now. Powerful, full, fat, in small package
• Gerald Sheppard - sustain, clarity, and balance I've rarely played in an OM size with stellar tone
• Tim McKnight (double topped) - most explosive guitar I ever played
• Paul Woolson (double topped) - he's getting a handle on the double top concept
• Brian Applegate - amazing SJ guitars in many flavors of wood.

[wthurman]

Have to go with what I feel out of hundreds.

Marc Beneteau
Kathy Wingert
Kent Hamblin
Linda Manzer

Not necessarily in that order.

[Ed C.]

I don't know how you can knock this down to 3.

Mark Blanchard
Ed Claxton
Mike Baranik
Kim Walker
TJ Thompson

I've missed way to many talented Luthiers here.

By the way, you've really got to play these guitars. Go to Luthiers Collection, Guitar Gallery, etc. or even better, one of the great shows.

I almost purchased a guitar from one of the big names in the industry that would have cost big bucks. After playing a few, I just didn't get into his guitars. That being said, musicians far more talented than I do "get" it.

Guitars are so personal that you shouldn't let anyone tell you what your tastes are. Use this list to trim your list and work with someone you are comfortable with.

Good luck.

[MikeD]

Man... only 3, huh? Well, my short list would be :
1. Traugott
2. TJ Thompson
3. Somogyi

[MexicoBlue]

As everyone has said, there are no "right" answers to this question. But it's always fun, and I assume you are only looking for opinions anyway.

For me, my top three would be:

- Jim Olson
- Ervin Somogyi
- Bill Tippin

[stream]

Oh Matt, now you're really in trouble

I second the Tippin recommendation. From what I can tell, you get the most bang for your buck from him among the ultra-boutique makers. You can pick up a used OMT for relatively cheap that will knock your socks off. And if you sell off a few of your Taylors and invest in a Crescendo.....then you're really in for it.

And, though he's slowly becoming more mainstream, I'd still consider James Goodall to be a boutique builder. One of his upper level guitars can give any Somogyi or Olson a run for their money - for a third (heck, or even fifth or sixth) of the price.

[Cornerstone Guitars]

I would have to say:

Kevin Ryan
Bruce Petros
Jeff Traugott

to name a few....