Luthier Recommendations

[musicbox]

I know people hate these threads, but I would really appriciate some input and ideas to help me. My grandmother recently passed away, and left me a reasonable inheritence, so I thought instead of blowing the money on something, I'd invest in a beautiful instrument to honour her love of music. Seeing that the current trend is musical tonewoods slowly becoming endangered, CITES listed, or almost harvested to extinction, I figure theres no better time to act then now.

I hope to commision a luthier to build an instrument to my specification, but there are just so many out there, and I have no idea where to start! If you've had a great experience with one, or have suggestions please share them.

I currently play and love a Martin d-15, and love its warmth, bottom end, and richness in tone. Goodall guitars have caught my eye recently, for their shape and the exotic woods he uses, but I have never had the opportunity to play one. Any input will be very much appriciated.


Thanks
Andy

[paintguy]

Sure came to the right place. Are you interested in a electric or acoustic guitar?

Do a search on the small builders and I'm sure a ton of responses are going to pour in as well.

Thorn, McNaught, Driskall, Heatly, Suhr, Briggs are just a few that come to mind off the top of my head.

[chicknpickn2]

Sounds like you are leaning towards an acoustic. Goodall is a great guitar, but limited in terms of custom options. There are too many lutheriers out there to name, but perhapse if you can let us know what type of guitar you want, we can better suggest something.

[enharmonic]

I own a Goodall and it is a remarkable instrument.

If I had the loot, I'd talk to Kevin Gallagher at Omega Guitars.

[Chun13]

Kevin Ryan guitars ! Or Mike Doolin's !

[John Bell]

Depending on how much.....<and it's none of my business> you may want to consult with some of the vintage experts here.There are still some nice investments to made with 6 strings on them.

[kovachian]

Acoustic luthiers can be harder to find, but there's no shortage to choose from. There's Larrivee, Tacoma, Santa Cruz, Breedlove, Collings, Lakewood, Doolin, John F. Mello, Kathy Wingert, Burrell, Perlman, Ervin Somogyi, Granata, Webber, Traphagen, Running Dog, etc etc etc. I'm jonesing for either a Rainsong or an Emerald. Rainsong doesn't do custom but I'm pretty sure Emerald does. I honestly know next to nothing about Goodalls, guess this post isn't much help!

[kingsleyd]

if you're looking for an amazing, unique (and "investment-grade") acoustic guitar,
i could make no higher recommendation than to suggest
steve klein in sonoma, california usa.
steve has been one of the most influential luthiers of our time,
and builds *only* custom instruments.
they're very expensive, but.....
..... as i said,
they are amazing.

i believe that steve can be reached via this shop:
http://www.kleinguitars.com/
707-996-2196

dt / spltrcl

A big +1, on all counts. Steve's acoustic guitars are extraordinary.

[big mike]

Never played his acoustics, but the electrics are quite cool.

[Jim Soloway]

Goodall builds wonderful guitar. I've played a bunch and they were all consistently stunning.

There are some great acoustic builders out there , both production and custom, depending on your budget and how long you're willing to wait. The one that has my attention is Oskar Graf. His guitars seem to have a wonderful balance and clarity that I found just remarkable.

http://web.ctsolutions.com/grafguitars/

[mattc41]

i would second the vote for Kevin Ryan guitars. The worship director at the church i frequently play at has a Ryan, and he is good friends with Kevin. I've had the opportunity to play a few of his guitars, and they are simply incredible. I've played some other great guitars at my local store Buffalo Bros(Goodall, etc), but I haven't played anything that can quite touch the Ryan's.

Just my experience though, im sure there's dozens of other fantastic luthiers that could make you happy. the main thing i would suggest is to take your time, do a lot of research, talk to the luthiers on the phone, ask a lot of questions. If you're really going to make a significant investment, you owe it to yourself. good luck, and let us know what you decide!!

matt

[musicbox]

Thanks very much for all the recomendations! I can see I have alot of research ahead of me, and this is a great place to start. Oskar Graf looks particularely interesting as he is a fellow canuck, although it seems to be quite difficult to find much information about his guitars beyond his website.

If anyone has any further information or has experiences with a particular luthier, I would greatly appriciate it.

As for budget, I've been looking at some of the froggy bottom, goodall, bourgeois stuff, so right in the middle of their model ranges...

As for what kind of guitar, something for fingerstyle and occasional flatpicking. Emphasis on warmth, responsiveness and harmonic overtones, but clarity as well as I enjoy complex chord shapes and arpeggios more then lead playing. I play with just a touch of nail balanced with the flesh of my finger.

I much prefer the warmth of my d-15 over the boom and chunk of a d-18, so perhaps redwood or ceder with a rosewood? Although the look of the goodalls with the mascasar ebony and adriondack spruce is just stunning...

[hemlock]

If you're thinking about staying in the Martin camp look at Wayne Henderson who is a great luthier and a fine human being.

[57special]

Thompson (Ted?) out in Vernon, BC makes extraordinary guitars, will build to suit, is reasonably priced (for a custom builder), and is by all accounts a good guy. He is also in your home province! Nothing to lose by just talking to him, possibly in person. There is also an excellent luthier in North Van, who's name is escaping me at the moment. David Weber? Joe Yanuziello (Toronto) builds and awesome L-00 style instrument, and is excellent to deal with. Marc Beneteau in St. Thomas.,Ont.


Heavy Hitters (long waiting lists, large reputations and prices, which are justified)
-Linda Manzer in Toronto
- Judy Threet (Calgary) extraordinary inlay, mainly out of wood.
- Grit Laskin (Toronto) " " , " " " pearl. etc..
- That guy in the Maritimes (NS?).

You could call the 12th fret in Toronto and ask their opinion. At various times they have carried all these maker's guitars in their shop.

I would start with Ted Thompson, for what you are looking for. There is really no reason to go outside of Canada for a custom maker, especially if it's for a flat top, or an ornamental type guitar. Laskin and Threet are at the very top in the latter category. Of course, if you've seen work by someone else who's work appeals, then investigate them, wherever they live. If i had a ton of $$ i would get Paul McGill to build me something. If his guitars sound half as good as they look then they'd still be worth it.

[joek86]

I don't know how exotic you are looking to go, but David Myka makes some great guitars. Check this one out! http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/013/default.htm


Joe

[57special]

If you're thinking about staying in the Martin camp look at Wayne Henderson who is a great luthier and a fine human being.
and the wait is? 10 years, 12?

[musicbox]

This is fantastic! Exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I like the idea of staying within Canada, and love the tones bruce cockburn plucks out of his manzers....

Thanks,
Andy

Thompson (Ted?) out in Vernon, BC makes extraordinary guitars, will build to suit, is reasonably priced (for a custom builder), and is by all accounts a good guy. He is also in your home province! Nothing to lose by just talking to him, possibly in person. There is also an excellent luthier in North Van, who's name is escaping me at the moment. David Weber? Joe Yanuziello (Toronto) builds and awesome L-00 style instrument, and is excellent to deal with. Marc Beneteau in St. Thomas.,Ont.


Heavy Hitters (long waiting lists, large reputations and prices, which are justified)
-Linda Manzer in Toronto
- Judy Threet (Calgary) extraordinary inlay, mainly out of wood.
- Grit Laskin (Toronto) " " , " " " pearl. etc..
- That guy in the Maritimes (NS?).

You could call the 12th fret in Toronto and ask their opinion. At various times they have carried all these maker's guitars in their shop.

I would start with Ted Thompson, for what you are looking for. There is really no reason to go outside of Canada for a custom maker, especially if it's for a flat top, or an ornamental type guitar. Laskin and Threet are at the very top in the latter category. Of course, if you've seen work by someone else who's work appeals, then investigate them, wherever they live. If i had a ton of $$ i would get Paul McGill to build me something. If his guitars sound half as good as they look then they'd still be worth it.

[kingsleyd]

Never played his acoustics, but the electrics are quite cool.

Mike, go out to Sonoma and visit Steve's shop...

...and yeah, the electrics are OK too! [grin]

[big mike]

Be worth a drive.

Or not..I'm SOOO broke!!! LOLOL

[Jim Soloway]

This is fantastic! Exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I like the idea of staying within Canada, and love the tones bruce cockburn plucks out of his manzers....

Thanks,
Andy

Linda's guitars are remarkable but before you get your hopes too high, just realize that she not only has a waiting list, she also has a waiting list for her waiting list.

[Teleplayer]

http://www.bluegrassguitar.com/makers.html

[57special]

This is fantastic! Exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I like the idea of staying within Canada, and love the tones bruce cockburn plucks out of his manzers....

Thanks,
Andy

Andy,
This is not a comprehensive list of Canadian builders. There are more. The ones i've mentioned are builders of a definite reputation, however, and should you ever decide to sell a guitar by one of these builders you will have interest.

[r9player]

Very cool.
Well I found my fix with Bill Wise - www.charisacoustic.com (http://www.charisacoustic.com)
I got my awesome pre-cites wood guitar custom ordered from him.
another great luthier John Mayes - www.mayesguitars.com (http://www.mayesguitars.com)
Besides that a ton have been mentioned already right here.
If for electrics a very cool and pretty affordable maker Doug at www.soulmateguitars.com (http://www.soulmateguitars.com)

Whatever it is going to be share some pictures with us!
And enjoy the whole process.

[musicbox]

Oh, I have no hopes for a Manzer. I was simply stating my desire for such a brilliant instrument. After peering through her website and seeing the "my waiting list is closed" sign I figured I was way out of my league!

I also very much appriciate the input from a luthier such as yourself, as well as these knowledable and very obliging forumites! What a great community.

This Bill Wise instruments are just gordgeous. I love the headstocks!

At this point in time I am merely starting my research and trying to get the wheels turning. The actual commisioning of a luthier won't take place for a year or more.

If anyone has any resources they can direct me to for learning about what makes a good luthier, or what kind of questions I should be asking these artisans, please speak up. Any information will deffinilty help on this little journey of mine.

Thanks again.

[Jack Briggs]

For acoustics - both steel string and classical, check out Fabrizio Alberico:


http://www.albericoguitar.com/



Doesn't take direct orders, but has 4 dealers to help out.

I dig his stuff!

[trisonic]

I don't know how exotic you are looking to go, but David Myka makes some great guitars. Check this one out! http://www.mykaguitars.com/instruments/013/default.htm


Joe

Is that piece for our own Dr.Rico?

Best, Pete.

[gapple88]

http://www.doerrguitars.com

http://www.kronbauerguitars.com/

[emjee]

WOAH!!! That Kronbauer is one fine guit!:AOK And the base price is only 1750.00 CN?? I have seen others on this thread just as nice for two or three times the dough! Some excellent references on this thread, but that Kronbauer really did something for me. Also, donr forget about Olsen guitars in the great state of Minnesota. He builds guitars for James Taylor.
Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will make your grandmother proud!

Matt

[musicbox]

Oh man!

Cheers for gapple88 for posting the kronbauer link. What gordgeous instruments! Definitly something I am going to be looking into further.

[r9player]

Also Paragon guitars is in B.C.

[Shadscbr]

+1 for Kronbauer.

I have a BRW Kronie with bevel and soundport on order...Trevor has been great to work with :)

Good luck with your hunt.

Shad

[bigroy]

http://www.volbrechtguitars.com/index.html

Check out the inlay. And they sound as good as they look...

[hemlock]

and the wait is? 10 years, 12?

There's a reason!

I had the pleasure of chatting with him several years ago when he did the Masters Of The Steel String tour and I got to play his personal guitar for a couple of minutes. Just an unbelievable guitar.

[chadd]

I can also vouch for Trevor Kronbauer's work. I just received my custom sitka/ebony mini jumbo a few weeks ago and I'm in love with it. You can see some pictures in this thread: http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=169486

It was a lot of fun working out the details with Trevor and watching its progress over the months. I'm very impressed with how close he came to the tonal qualities I was asking for.

[royd]

You really do have a lot of research to do as there are some amazing builders out there, making guitars in a variety of styles aimed at various styles of playing.

Let me add another non-canadian to the list - George Lowden. From what you described you're looking for, his guitars are perfect. Plus, you have two price range options - the small shop guitars which are the same class as Goodalls, Santa Cruz, Collings, Forggy Bottom etc. (although a very different style guitar) or the guitars individually built by George. These obviously cost a lot more but you get the bragging rights of playing a guitar built by George.

Some folk who play his guitars are Alex DeGrassi, Pierre Bensusan, Thomas Leeb (www.thomasleeb.com (http://www.thomasleeb.com) for some amazing playing), Acoustic Alchemy, occassionally Michael Hedges did especially for the lower tunings.

[AnthonyL]

Not as pricey as some listed, but still excellent instruments and these luthiers offer many options/exotic woods:

David Webber - Vancouver, B.C.
Northwood Guitars - Langley, B.C.

[clemduolian]

You MUST check out Beardsell http://www.beardsellguitars.com (http://www.beardsellguitars.com/) Incredible build quality, unique approach, beauty...and Canadian.

Clem

[mrkz1974]

If i had a ton of $$ i would get Paul McGill to build me something. If his guitars sound half as good as they look then they'd still be worth it.

I've been blessed to be able to afford a Paul McGill's SUPER ACE nylon string guitar and it is simply amazing!

[57special]

I've been blessed to be able to afford a Paul McGill's SUPER ACE nylon string guitar and it is simply amazing!

I'd love to see pics and hear more. IMO, his design sense is one of the best since D'Aquisto. Never had the pleasure of playing one, though. He has a cutaway design for some of his acoustics that are beautiful.

[-kk-]

just went through the process myself, and ended up going with Micheal Bashkin out in colorado. everywhere and everyone i asked have nothing but good things to say about his instruments, and they do look fine too. the downside? there's quite a long wait list.

kronbauers are great for the price, and another id recommend (tho not sure if they do custom as such) is bourgeoius. You may want to pose the same question in www.13thfret.com (http://www.13thfret.com) (kinda like the acoustic equivalent of TGP), and check out reputable dealers like guitar gallery (www.guitargal.com (http://www.guitargal.com)) or dream guitars to browse their inventory, maybe even email/talk to them.

another one that Id HIGHLY recommend, if you have the $$$ and patience, is michi matsuda. there's a dealer (cant remember which one, prob one of those listed in 13th fret) who has a few of his guitars coming in, so that'll cut the wait time,and these really are heirloom pieces. its simply a work of art. you can google him or browse dream guitar's inventory/archive for a typically stunning example of his work, not bling bling flashy, but very elegant.

there are also the upper echelons of the ryans and such, but seeing as how i have no direct experience, i will reserve my comments.


finally, remember to not rush into anything. its a decent chunk of change whoever you decide to go with. take your time

[cnardone]

Is that piece for our own Dr.Rico?

Best, Pete.
Hey, I helped pay for that!!! Of course I got an Alessandro in return. good luck Doctor.

cmn

[hathisisfunnyha]

Froggy Bottom. Insane build quality, heavenly tone and one off customs

[Clrtxf]

I saw Collings mentioned, it would definitely be a great idea to check out getting one of those they are absolutely fabulous.

[Millul]

And if you go to Vernon, you've the added benefit of a weekend on the Okanagan! Oh man, Canada got me so much...!!!

[KingBoneSlim]

Froggy Bottom with a scimshaw heelcap dipicting something that was speacial to your grandmother.

[Scottone]

Lots of great choices out there..

Assuming that you are looking for an acoustic, check out George Rizsanyi. He's building an OM style for me right now and it has been a good experience so far. He's in Nova Scotia, so you can avoid the cross border hassles as well.

http://www.rizsanyiguitars.com/

[KingBoneSlim]

Whatever you do be sure to play it (alot) so it becomes part of you AND your grandmother.
A Martin OM-28 Brazilian would be in the family forever and ALWAYS be a great guitar. I would avoid the latest craze.

[FPicker]

This is frequently referred to as a second golden age of acoustic guitar luthery. The number of individual luthiers and small shops putting out top quality instruments today is mind-boggling. Many players have high regard for the best offerings of the large makers as well. And the original vintage instruments are still available, for a price, and are still held in highest esteem despite the numerous contemporary offerings available.

Some of the current makers that get lots of buzz in acoustic guitar circles are:

TJ Thompson, Blazer & Henkes, Jim Merrill, Kim Walker, Julius Borges, Franklin (Nick Kukich), Wayne Henderson, Circa (John Slobod), Roy McAlister, Lynn Dudenbostel, Randy Lucas; Schoenberg Guitars,

Ed Claxton, Kevin Ryan, Jim Olson, Mark Blanchard, Jeff Traugott, Ervin Somogyi,
Linda Manzer, Grit Laskin

.. and numerous others.

But still I wouldn't say there's no market for 30s Gibsons or Martins any more.