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Best guitar builder for the $$$

Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by supar6, Feb 23, 2008.

  1. Feb 23, 2008 #1
    supar6

    supar6 Member

    Messages:
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    Sep 23, 2007
    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    I know this is kind of a loaded questions so I'm prepared to accept loaded answers! I'm looking for a guitar builder to make me a strat clone built to spec.. Nothing fancy - but I'm looking for something with a relic'd neck, vintage frets with a 7.25" to 9.5" radius board. Everything else is up in the air.

    I'm looking for recommendations for the best builder for the buck! I'm not looking for the cheapest by any means as I want a quality guitar but I figured with all the experience on this board this would be the best place to start.

    Thanks for any opinions and experience!
     
    supar6, Feb 23, 2008
    supar6, Feb 23, 2008
    #1
  2. Feb 23, 2008 #2
    dharmafool

    dharmafool Member

    Messages:
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    Nov 26, 2005
    Fender. Best for the regular production line buck.
     
    dharmafool, Feb 23, 2008
    dharmafool, Feb 23, 2008
    #2
  3. Feb 23, 2008 #3
    indytruckboy

    indytruckboy Member

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    Mar 21, 2006
    Location:
    Reading, PA
    esp/ltd
     
    indytruckboy, Feb 23, 2008
    indytruckboy, Feb 23, 2008
    #3
  4. Feb 23, 2008 #4
    HIPCHIP

    HIPCHIP Member

    Messages:
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    Feb 19, 2008
    Location:
    Woodland, Ca.
    I'd say check with Fender. Their Custom Shop and semi-custom shop stuff is great. If you want a little more input without the extra price, go try a Carvin if you can. Check their catalog and take a look at that. You can order about anything. Other than that, check at your local music store and see if they have anybody that can help you.

    Only other person I know who makes guitars is Joe Dragony. He's expensive, but makes some beautiful guitars. You can do a Google on him and it will come up with his info. He's in Carmichael, Calif. I believe.
     
    HIPCHIP, Feb 23, 2008
    HIPCHIP, Feb 23, 2008
    #4
  5. Feb 23, 2008 #5
    02Singlecut

    02Singlecut Supporting Member

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    Location:
    Bama
    IMHO !
    For a Strat-Tele 25.5" scale guitar....Hands down Don Grosh.

    For a Traditional Set Neck HB'n guitar 24.5" -25.0" scale guitar......PRS

    Both ooze nothing but quality and superior builds!!!!! Don builds a dam GREAT Set neck also. I have had nothing but great experiences with both companies!!! :JAM
     
    02Singlecut, Feb 23, 2008
    02Singlecut, Feb 23, 2008
    #5
  6. Feb 23, 2008 #6
    karmadave

    karmadave Member

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    Bay Area
    K-Line
     
    karmadave, Feb 23, 2008
    karmadave, Feb 23, 2008
    #6
  7. Feb 23, 2008 #7
    frank62

    frank62 Member

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    Fender still makes the best Fender. If you want a copy or parts guitar then do it yourself. There is no special skill in putting together a parts guitar. What you are describing in your specs is a well used 50s/60s MIM classic strat. Around 500 bucks. Do yourself a favor and just get the real thing. Fender.
     
    frank62, Feb 23, 2008
    frank62, Feb 23, 2008
    #7
  8. Feb 23, 2008 #8
    goodasaf

    goodasaf Member

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    Jan 26, 2008
    nick of rocketfire will get you what you want and its in a very reasonable price.
    check him out, he's got lots of harmony-central feedback and also here.


    www.rocketfireguitars.com
     
    goodasaf, Feb 23, 2008
    goodasaf, Feb 23, 2008
    #8
  9. Feb 23, 2008 #9
    sfarnell

    sfarnell Gold Supporting Member

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    JIm Surles in Cotati is very reasonable and does some fine work. Last I heard he may have gone to India for awhile, but you should contact Zone Music in Cotati and they'll know where he is.
     
    sfarnell, Feb 23, 2008
    sfarnell, Feb 23, 2008
    #9
  10. Feb 23, 2008 #10
    JMarck

    JMarck Member

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    Philadelphia
    If you're going with a S-Style, then Vinetto
     
    JMarck, Feb 23, 2008
    JMarck, Feb 23, 2008
    #10
  11. Feb 23, 2008 #11
    johnnybrulez

    johnnybrulez Member

    Messages:
    50
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    Jan 2, 2008
    Dean Guitars. Exported. Or if you can find a cheap USA Dean... even better.
     
    johnnybrulez, Feb 23, 2008
    johnnybrulez, Feb 23, 2008
    #11
  12. Feb 23, 2008 #12
    Baggins

    Baggins Member

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    Jul 22, 2006
    Location:
    Central New York
    Rice Guitars....-they'd at least be a start...
     
    Baggins, Feb 23, 2008
    Baggins, Feb 23, 2008
    #12
  13. Feb 23, 2008 #13
    pickslide

    pickslide Supporting Member

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    What about Rick Kelly? http://www.kellyguitars.com/index.html#

    I have never played one of his guitars, but a hand made guitar for $1200 seems pretty darn good to me. I also hear great things about his stuff.
     
    pickslide, Feb 23, 2008
    pickslide, Feb 23, 2008
    #13
  14. Feb 23, 2008 #14
    Simpy

    Simpy Member

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    Sherwood, AR
    Check out Rick Kelly's stuff. He does some old school stuff, bodies all hand carved, necks too. He's more known for his 52 Teles, but I've been so impressed with my Tele, I've recently ordered a strat from him.
     
    Simpy, Feb 23, 2008
    Simpy, Feb 23, 2008
    #14
  15. Feb 23, 2008 #15
    stratman89

    stratman89 Supporting Member

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    Victoria, BC
    Checkout Suhr Guitars.
     
    stratman89, Feb 23, 2008
    stratman89, Feb 23, 2008
    #15
  16. Feb 25, 2008 #16
    Nick Sorenson

    Nick Sorenson Rocketfire Guitars Supporting Member

    Messages:
    780
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    Jul 5, 2007
    Location:
    MO
    Thanks Asaf,
    I got the stack of bodies that your 3 tone is coming out of last week. They look very nice. Good grain and light weight. Some of the best quality Alder I've seen in a while. 'The tone' should be in there! That's what makes this worth doing!
    Talk to you soon,
    Nick

     
    Nick Sorenson, Feb 25, 2008
    Nick Sorenson, Feb 25, 2008
    #16
  17. Feb 25, 2008 #17
    XKnight

    XKnight Member

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    Republic of Texas
    I'd recommend Rice Custom Guitars.
     
    XKnight, Feb 25, 2008
    XKnight, Feb 25, 2008
    #17
  18. Feb 25, 2008 #18
    goodasaf

    goodasaf Member

    Messages:
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    Jan 26, 2008

    see what i mean - nick will get ya what you ask and the customer service is already in there...:D
     
    goodasaf, Feb 25, 2008
    goodasaf, Feb 25, 2008
    #18

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