Can Anybody Here Recommend a Good Luthier? (1 Viewer)

[aeveritt]

I know from past threads that there are a few guitar aficionados here on the forum. I beginning my search for a custom hand-crafted acoustic guitar and I'm curious to know what maker others here are familiar with. I'd love to own an Olson (Olson Guitars) but the wait-time and the cost are out of line, sort of like the "Harley Davidson" of the acoustic guitar world I suppose. Surely there is someone out there who equals or exceeds his craftsmanship at a reasonable cost. I'm particularly interested in responses from those who currently own or have played a custom guitar. Do you feel they worth the extra money in terms of sound quality and craftsmanship? I suppose one could pay $1,500 or so and get a pretty good factory-made guitar but I'm thinking that a good custom-made guitar might have a better residual value if I ever decide to trade or sell.
Any thoughts?

 

[Zen Butler]

Takamine has some great midline priced acoustics, I have bought two of them and love them both. I paid under $500 for each w/case. Nice action, warm tone, if interested I could post model number (at a later time, I'm at work). I've been playing for 20 yrs, and was shocked at the decent quality these had. Does not equal the Olson, Taylor or Martin but a fine guitar to tide you over until we hit the Lotto

 

[aeveritt]

Thanks, I already have an older Takamine. It does sound pretty good. The newer ones I've heard don't have the same crisp sound and sustain as the older ones in my opinion. Not sure of the difference though. Could it be the finish they are putting on them? Good old guitars seem to get better sounding with age. For some reasons newer guitars just don't seem to age as well.
Oh, by the way, no Lotto in Mississippi. Maybe the Casinos can provide the funding?

 

[John K Carter]

Though his website is a mess Jim Grainger makes some fine acoustics. He has done several jobs for Grand Ole Opry stars & some great work on my electric basses as well.
http://web.infoave.net/~customfret/
Some other links Luthiers Around the World
13th Fret Luther-Related Links

 

[Zen Butler]

The newer ones I've heard don't have the same crisp sound and sustain as the older ones in my opinion

This true to a point, one of the ones I have has a different finish, almost an unfinished look. Its about 2 years old now. The sound keeps improving, getting warmer as she ages.

 

[aeveritt]

I've heard some people suggest that the heavy polyurethane finishes that the manufacturers seem to favor now seals the wood and doesn't allow it to age. I don't know how true that is but it certainly sounds reasonable.

 

[Matt Stryker]

Call Mandolin Bros (in NY), get them to send you a catalog. A lot of their stuff is from smaller makers, with some really beautiful pieces.

As far as the South, there are a couple one-man shops here in Atlanta (the Martin-certified luthier who fixed my dads D-35 also made his own stuff).

If you decide to buy a nicer non-custom acoustic, I would recommend locating a Mars Music; in my experience, they have had the best service and the absolute lowest prices on Martins, Taylors, and Gibsons i've seen locally. I bought my Martin D-15 from them 3 years ago and have been very pleased.