The top small builders - your opinion

[tsar nicholas]

So I'm doing a research project on guitar builders.

I'd like to know which small builders folks esteem as being the best.

Specifically, I'm interested in the one-to-six-man shops. The folks who've grown to factory proportion (Suhr, presumably Anderson) are great, but beyond the scope of my question.

If you can flesh out your answer with a little info on what makes the builder(s) so great, that will be mucho rad!


Thanks, guys!

 

[coldfingaz]

Creston Lea

- He listens
- He offers suggestions
- He collaborates
- He creates
- He pays a stunning amount of attention to details & finishing
- Though he has a particular style/appeal, he's open to doing new things & what you want
- He uses quality parts & components
- He cuts his own bodies
- He shapes the hell out of the necks & does great fretwork
- He's communicative
- He's smart & funny (not that I want to date him)
- He's very fairly priced
- He delivers on time or updates you on any minor delays


This has been my experience with multiple builds, but to be honest... there are a ton of other great builders out there that I just haven't had the pleasure of working with firsthand.

 

[cherrick]

Rob Oliveira, Crowley Texas (Rhomco Guitars) - attention to detail, perfection

 

[boogieman90]

Scott Lentz, San MArcos, CA. 2 man shop, Scott Sr and Scott Jr; great products, and better people!