Custom Guitar Builders Recommendation

rlintz · #1 12-27-2007, 11:59 AM

I'm thinking of having a custom guitar built for me - nothing too radical other than some odd switching. Dimarzio HSH, 22 jumbo frets, quilt maple top over alder, maple neck and board, recessed Floyd, body shape either strat or tele-ish. I'd like rear-routed controls - a Les Paul style toggle for the two humbuckers and then two mini toggles - one to add the middle pup to any combo and another three-way mini-toggle for splitting, series, parallel on the humbuckers, master volume, master tone.

I was curious as to what people would recommend - actual experiences would be good to hear about also.

CityofBlindingLights · #2 12-27-2007, 02:25 PM

www.warmoth.com

Save yourself a crapload money and buy from them.

High quality stuff too.

rlintz · #3 12-27-2007, 03:24 PM

I'm not crazy about trying to put a kit together myself (all thumbs and no patience is not a good combo) and don't know of any local luthier-types. I'm thinking more like a Suhr, Andersen, Charvel, etc. Am I missing any??

Andelusion · #4 12-27-2007, 05:03 PM

Suhr kick ass, there's nothing much else to say.

Do forum searches here and on other places (harmony central, the gear page) for lots of opinions, as this has been talked about tonnes. I know because I did the same research before I ordered my Suhr custom, which I love btw.

IbanezNorthwest · #5 12-27-2007, 05:16 PM

Bolt-on Guitars.... I go for Suhr these days and Melancon too. Played Andersons for a time too and are also excellent!

CityofBlindingLights · #6 12-29-2007, 04:32 AM

If you're willing to spend the money, I'd go for a Fender masterbuilt any day.

shreddersymphony · #7 12-30-2007, 08:29 PM

A friend of mine is an EXTREMELY talented luthier out of New Jersey who does incredible work at great prices. I had him handbuild me an INCREDIBLE neck for a custom guitar. Here are a few pics - flame maple neck, highly figured cocobolo fretboard, custom inlay and abalone purfling.

rvai · #8 12-30-2007, 10:46 PM

wow that neck is ansolutely gorgeous

rlintz · #9 12-31-2007, 01:14 AM

Interesting. Thanks for the tip - I'll check it out. Make sure you've got your safety goggles on around that headstock - yikes!!!

shreddersymphony · #10 12-31-2007, 01:55 AM

Thanks rvai!

And haha, yeah, gotta keep those goggles nearby. I wanted to keep the metal spirit alive with a somewhat pointy headstock but also not go with a typical-styled headstock. If you end up speaking to him, please do mention my name. If I get him some customers i get a discount on the new one hes building for me!

F.P.R.O. · #11 12-31-2007, 03:11 AM

What wood is the neck made out of there? Or what finish is that?

shreddersymphony · #12 12-31-2007, 03:28 AM

The neck wood is flame (curly) maple, stained 3 colors - green/purple/blue. The way he did it, if im not mistaken, is one color at a time, to achieve the same kind of swirly affect the body has. The fretboard is a really beautiful piece of cocobolo.

adamcbest · #13 12-31-2007, 04:10 PM

If you have the money.. Abyss Customs. I love mine, but they are expensive. If you leave out a lot of the frills it may not be too much more than a higher end suhr or anderson

shreddersymphony · #14 12-31-2007, 05:18 PM

I've seen those abyss customs, they are pretty damn nice. They are also damn expensive as you've pointed out, they seem to sell for like 5-10 grand...

Yours is flippin' sweet though dude. Ive never seen an actual owner's picture of a quilt top one, usually they seem to be just natural wood, walnut, etc.

Darin · #15 12-31-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamcbest

If you have the money.. Abyss Customs. I love mine, but they are expensive. If you leave out a lot of the frills it may not be too much more than a higher end suhr or anderson

Nice lookin road case. A guy with that rig MUST be out giggin. Got any vids?