Brand Guitars Vs Luthier Guitars Options

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hey guys!

A lot of luthiers have appeared in the recent years at my country and I can say that many of them build amazing guitars. Today I was wondering what I prefer, if a luthier guitar or a brand guitar and I couldn't answer this question.

Once the guitar is build, I see it as a GUITAR, no matter the brand, if it feels good, it's good. But the main difference when deciding between one or the other is that the brand guitar can be tried, while the luthier is a mystery until the guy finishes it...

What are your thoughts?

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[Mertay]

A side point of luthier guitars; My luthier doesn't build but focuses on fixing/adjusting guitars. When I asked him how he felt about custom stuff, he said many times he noticed problems that should be there compared to brand.

For example, a pickup change is wanted but the cavity isn't cut deep enough as the new one can't fit. Similar to switch area if push/pull pots etc. is needed...

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[Todd Simpson]

It's a tough one. Sure, everyone would love a hand built guitar. Trouble is, you can't always play one before you drop $2,000 or more. Then if you get it and don't like it, you have to take a loss to sell it as you bought it new and custom built. I'd love a skerveson, I think, but I've never played one so I don't really know. I'd love a Daemoness no matter what, just because they are so cool and the builder is just the most Metal dude I've encountered.

That said, if I'm spending my own money I'd like a used Ibby with a Wizard 1 spec neck. Best price/performance ratio. However, the one I really want isn't on the used scene yet as it's too new. I hope I don't have to pay for it new as it's $1400 which is about 3 guitars for me typically.

I really want a used Ibby RG565 and one like CAEL has and a Jem, and a Skolnick and a Reb Beach and an Angel usa model. All ibby, all classic, all hard as hell to find. That is part of what makes them so special. But off the rack, I'd like this guy.

RG652AHMAWD antique white, birds eye maple fretboard. Same guitar Kris has but in a new color

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[klasaine]

It depends on ...
1) what you want/need in the instrument like 'special' features?
2) are you a fiend about customizing? (Mertay's point).
3) unless it's a builder that becomes very well known (Suhr, Sadowsky, Danocaster) and some famous musicians use their guitars on recordings and in concert, the re-sale value will generally be next to nothing. So if you're one of those guys that constantly buys and sells gear - you need to consider that.

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[Todd Simpson]

#3 is a really good point. I had a Blakhart that listed for over 1700 and got barely 300 out of it. If nobody knows the brand, custom build doesn't help that much.

It depends on ...
1) what you want/need in the instrument like 'special' features?
2) are you a fiend about customizing? (Mertay's point).
3) unless it's a builder that becomes very well known (Suhr, Sadowsky, Danocaster) and some famous musicians use their guitars on recordings and in concert, the re-sale value will generally be next to nothing. So if you're one of those guys that constantly buys and sells gear - you need to consider that.

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[Sensible Jones]

#3 is a really good point. I had a Blakhart that listed for over 1700 and got barely 300 out of it. If nobody knows the brand, custom build doesn't help that much.

A very good point!
I know for a fact that none of my Builds will ever re-sell for what my Customers paid me for them, but then I don't build to make a living. If I put a couple of months into a build then that has to be reflected in the price, especially as all mine are Hand Built, no CNC machinery of any kind!!

As for the original question....
It's horses for courses. You're not going to buy a Les Paul if you want a Strat sound and vice versa, but branded Guitars are the more affordable way of getting close to the sound you want. The big advantage of Custom Builds is that you can get exactly what you want in looks as well as sound.

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[Todd Simpson]

Well said The point of buying a custom is to have it and keep it. So folks, if you are thinking of buying a custom build, be ready to keep it or take a pretty big loss. Nobody will love your custom the way you do. I see all these pink quilted top KEISEL vaders for $1800 on ebay and reverb and they just sit there. If your dream guitar is a pink quilted headless, you are not going to be able to move it right away and get back what you paid.

I would love to try one of the keisels The green vader for example. But the necks looks hugely thick to me, as an "ibby guy" so blowing enough money for a prestige on one seems sketchy.


Todd

A very good point!
I know for a fact that none of my Builds will ever re-sell for what my Customers paid me for them, but then I don't build to make a living. If I put a couple of months into a build then that has to be reflected in the price, especially as all mine are Hand Built, no CNC machinery of any kind!!

As for the original question....
It's horses for courses. You're not going to buy a Les Paul if you want a Strat sound and vice versa, but branded Guitars are the more affordable way of getting close to the sound you want. The big advantage of Custom Builds is that you can get exactly what you want in looks as well as sound.

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[Gabriel Leopardi]

It depends on ...
1) what you want/need in the instrument like 'special' features?
2) are you a fiend about customizing? (Mertay's point).
3) unless it's a builder that becomes very well known (Suhr, Sadowsky, Danocaster) and some famous musicians use their guitars on recordings and in concert, the re-sale value will generally be next to nothing. So if you're one of those guys that constantly buys and sells gear - you need to consider that.

Many interesting points here starting by this one by klasaine which is not a small thing when thinking on how to invest our money in the best way.

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[klasaine]

In summation ...
There's a reason that the Fender, Gibson, Ibanez template is ground zero for the modern electric guitar.

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[Todd Simpson]

I've finally found a "boutique" / Custom Shop guitar that is diverting me from buying my next Ibanez, which I already had plans to buy. The guitar in question is built by Ormsby Guitars and is a signature model for the guy from HEAVY METAL NINJAS, who is a bit of an IBBY nut himself. As a result, they have built what seems to be the perfect 7 String Shred Beast. It's got the same neck profile as the SUPER HP/ORIGINAL WIZARD, (as on my RG560 MIJ), but it's a 7 String Guitar! Usually, this means thickening the neck a bit. Due to Carbon Fiber support rods, the neck is able to remain paper thin and stay straight. I WANT ONE!!! Also, they have a "Payments Plan"!!!!

HypeGTR Floyd - Richie Allan Signature
7's: $1899 AUD (approx $1360 USD)

BODY: Swamp Ash, chambered with Platinum Pearl White finish, white binding NECK: 5 piece laminated Bubinga and Wenge, set neck, satin finish, carbon reinforced rods?

[b]NECK SHAPE: 17.0mm @ 1st - 19.0mm@ 17th D shape (WOW for a 7 String!)

FRETBOARD: [/b]Maple, satin finish. Scalloped 21-24th frets FRETWIRE: Jumbo Stainless Steel INLAY: Red treble side dots SIDE DOTS: Red glow HARDWARE COLOUR: Black. White rear cavity covers with red logo/text
BRIDGE: Floyd Rose Original.
MACHINEHEADS: Hipshot Locking (Ormsby branded)
ELECTRONICS: 500k Volume, 5 way level switch
PICKUPS: Nunchucker A8 Bridge humbucker, Old School A2 Neck humbucker
?CASE: Included (Moulded case)

http://www.ormsbyguitars.com/run-6---hype--ra.html

So far this is the only guitar that is pulling me away from getting what I had planned on, the Ibanez RG652AHM RG Prestige Antique White.

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This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jun 4 2017, 06:30 PM

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Nice one, but I like the Ibanez more, it's precious... and I know by Kris and Dalton vids that is sounds killer.

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[Todd Simpson]

I'm a big fan of the Ibanez myself as I'm sure you know So far, this is the only boutique guitar near the Ibanez price point that would make me consider buying something other than the ibby . The main reason being that it has the same neck profile as the Ibanez, but is a 7 string, instead of a 6 string. I've got an Ibby 7 that has the Wizard 7 neck and it's great. But it's not as thin as the profile on KRIS's Ibanez or this one pictured above. It's just a bit thicker as it's a 7. I've searched through wads of boutique guitars. So far, only this one is giving me pause to consider anything other than the Ibanez. I have not spent money yet Just talking and doing research.

Nice one, but I like the Ibanez more, it's precious... and I know by Kris and Dalton vids that is sounds killer.

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This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jun 5 2017, 10:01 PM

[Mertay]

That is a pretty thin neck, ibanez gives thickness at 1 and 12 fret so there's even a chance its even flatter than an ibanez neck I hope you like ultra thin strings cause to me thats a bit scary

But yeah given your style it can work pretty good, having no tone pot is sort of a bonus for a shredder. I don't know about the bridge or pickups, worst case changing PU's is easy but the bridge can be problematic.

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