Need help deciding on a handcrafted modern retro axe

Discussion in 'The Small Company Luthiers' started by Reeek, Aug 25, 2005.


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  1. Aug 25, 2005 #1
    Reeek

    Reeek Member

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    Researching upper echelon modern retro guitars and will buy one just as soon as I decide which one.

    Suhr? Why, why not?
    Tom Anderson? Why, why not?
    Melancon? Why, why not?
    Tyler? Why, why not? (Don't care for the headstock design tho)
    Grosh? Why, why not?

    Looking at S or T style but leaning toward the S style.

    I know the why and why nots are subjective. That's all I'm looking for from you? Opinions and preferences and why?

    I'm BRAND new to small, eliet guitar builders and have never owned a small company, hand crfated guitar so I'm ignorant.

    I have enough money for either.

    Thanks!

    P.S. What's Lentz up to these days anyway?
     
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    #1
  2. Aug 25, 2005 #2
    Reeek

    Reeek Member

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    I'm thinking Suhr . . .
     
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    #2
  3. Aug 25, 2005 #3
    big mike

    big mike Fixed Bias Moderator Staff Member

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    Can't go wrong either way really. (now that you've decided against Roman)

    Of those, for me, it would be either Melancon or Anderson, and most likely Melancon. I have met Gerard several times, have seen and played many, and they always impress. Gerard is a one man shop, and I like that about a small builder. Knowing it went through the man's hands, gives me a warm fuzzy.

    But again, no losers there.
     
    big mike, Aug 25, 2005
    big mike, Aug 25, 2005
    #3
  4. Aug 25, 2005 #4
    Reeek

    Reeek Member

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    Thanks for that, big mike.

    I did just think about one good question considering this list is a list of super high quality guitars . . .

    What are the typical build/wait times for these builders?

    I seem to have read that 3 months or so is average for a Suhr. Correct?

    What about the others?
     
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    Reeek, Aug 25, 2005
    #4
  5. Aug 25, 2005 #5
    big mike

    big mike Fixed Bias Moderator Staff Member

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    Couldn't comment there.
     
    big mike, Aug 25, 2005
    big mike, Aug 25, 2005
    #5
  6. Aug 25, 2005 #6
    guitrr

    guitrr Reverb Junkie Silver Supporting Member

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    In addition to Suhr, Melancon, and Anderson, Grosh is an excellent choice too. I have a Retro Classic that is absolutely superb.

    Unless you want something very unusual, you should be able to find a good strat or tele style in stock at a high end guitar shop. Wildwood, Fat Sound, and Magdon come to mind for high end toys.

    Kane
     
    guitrr, Aug 25, 2005
    guitrr, Aug 25, 2005
    #6
  7. Aug 25, 2005 #7
    r9player

    r9player Silver Supporting Member

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    I happen to know that John Mayes of Mayes guitars is finishing up a Vintage White Tele that looks really sweet (besides my HS strat and the Lacewood Tele which .. well is not very retro)
    Even has the aging toner on a sweet maple neck.
    Lollar pick ups I believe.
    I have the first Tele he's done and it's amazing.
     
    r9player, Aug 25, 2005
    r9player, Aug 25, 2005
    #7
  8. Aug 26, 2005 #8
    Vince

    Vince Member

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    It's like trying to decide where to have an amazing dinner in New York City when you're lucky enough to be able to get a reservation at 5 of the best restaurants in town. Everyone on the "chefs" does something a little differently. It's all a matter of what you like.
     
    Vince, Aug 26, 2005
    Vince, Aug 26, 2005
    #8
  9. Aug 27, 2005 #9
    John Mayes

    John Mayes Member

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    Thanks for the plug Pai. I'm also building a 56' butterscotch tele repro right now.. as close to vintage specs as possible. The white one is sold, bu here are a couple pics anyway...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    #9
  10. Aug 27, 2005 #10
    yeast2000

    yeast2000 Member

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    http://www.lentzguitar.com

    He's making his new models. Amazing guitars..
     
    yeast2000, Aug 27, 2005
    yeast2000, Aug 27, 2005
    #10
  11. Aug 27, 2005 #11
    r9player

    r9player Silver Supporting Member

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    Ahh that white one came out really Sweet!
    How eh is my HS coming along! :D
    Hard to believe the Lacewood Tele hasn't sold yet though, such killer looks!
     
    r9player, Aug 27, 2005
    r9player, Aug 27, 2005
    #11
  12. Aug 27, 2005 #12
    yanquii

    yanquii Member

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    This is way off topic, but John Mayes, your website makes me giggle.:D
     
    yanquii, Aug 27, 2005
    yanquii, Aug 27, 2005
    #12
  13. Aug 27, 2005 #13
    John Mayes

    John Mayes Member

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    The HS is gonna be done soon finally. I talked to Tony yesterday and he was making good progress.

    Yeah I'm surprised too. It is a great looker and sounding one too!
     
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    #13
  14. Aug 27, 2005 #14
    John Mayes

    John Mayes Member

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    haha.. you mean from all the pops, and flashy crap moving round or just in general cause I'm a dork? Either way I don't blame ya!
     
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    John Mayes, Aug 27, 2005
    #14
  15. Aug 27, 2005 #15
    boog204

    boog204 Member

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    to me melancon and suhr's have felt, played, and sounded the best fo the s types i've encountered. i actually liked melancon a bit more to be honest. there was some kind of vibe there.
     
    boog204, Aug 27, 2005
    boog204, Aug 27, 2005
    #15
  16. Aug 27, 2005 #16
    yanquii

    yanquii Member

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    haha. All that boingy flash stuff.:dude
     
    yanquii, Aug 27, 2005
    yanquii, Aug 27, 2005
    #16
  17. Aug 27, 2005 #17
    decay-o-caster

    decay-o-caster Member

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    Chapin. He makes some insanely fine guitars.

    Normal small builder order time if you order one from Bill (i.e., a few months), or you pick up one of those Stratahoulas or the TBird at Mike's (ToneGurus) that look, play, and sound so sweet! :)
     
    decay-o-caster, Aug 27, 2005
    decay-o-caster, Aug 27, 2005
    #17
  18. Aug 27, 2005 #18
    big mike

    big mike Fixed Bias Moderator Staff Member

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    Oh yeah. Sorry, should've said that myself. I went with the choices listed.

    Bill makes THE BEST S and T influenced guitars on the planet. Period!
     
    big mike, Aug 27, 2005
    big mike, Aug 27, 2005
    #18
  19. Aug 27, 2005 #19
    Fantom1

    Fantom1 Member

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    If you're not %100 set in stone about a dead on S or T style guitar I would definitely give Lentz's new stuff a look or better yet give him a call and have him explain them. All I can say is they are very very nice guitars with the vintage sound.
     
    Fantom1, Aug 27, 2005
    Fantom1, Aug 27, 2005
    #19
  20. Aug 27, 2005 #20
    slowburn

    slowburn Supporting Member

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    grosh retroclassic.
     
    slowburn, Aug 27, 2005
    slowburn, Aug 27, 2005
    #20
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