The lesser known luthiers - present them here

[Jimi75]

Hey folks,

Sure, we all know the big names and also the far east companies, but what about the luthiers around the corner, the lesser known guys that so often know so much better how to build a great guitar than the global players do? Pick a local luthier or a guy or gal from your area and present him here.

I'd like to pick two of them.

1: Nik Huber - to me currently the best small manufacturer in Germany. Their guitars are somewhere between an LP and a Tele, built of the finest woods. Pure awesomenedd in tone and look.

Nik Huber Orca with P90s in action:


Official site:
http://www.nikhuber-guitars.com/

2. Morgaine/Tandler Guitars. No info on their internet site, just a contact phone number. Anyways, they build the best sounding "Strats" (personal opinion) in Germany if not even in Europe. Their "Les Paul" type models are tremendous sounding, too.

"Strat" video with Ali Neander, one of Germany's top tour guitarists - don't mind the talking in the beginning...:


"LP" video again with Ali

 

[Spudman]

Guilford Guitars
John and I were well acquainted. He used to work at the Ibanez importer near me and started in the repair shop after attending GIT. Eventually he ended up in sales which is where we spent the most time together. His current list of custom model endorsers are Ty Tabor, Steve Blaze, J5.

Also

Jet Guitars
Used by Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings, Transatlantic. Simply beautiful extremely well crafted guitars.

 

[Blaze]

http://www.demersguitars.com/

 

[Heywood Jablomie]

http://www.olsonguitars.com/

The real deal in high-end professional acoustic guitars. Guy even builds his own machines, and look at some of the people who play his guitars!

 

[MichaelE]

Rick Turner, California:

Builds acoustic guitars and ukeleles plus the solid-body Model 1. Started building the Alembic guitars, worked for Gibson for a short time then started Renaissance Guitars.

Less than 300 Model 1's have been built to date.

 

[Zip]

Lindsey Buckingham plays a Model 1 - it's about the only electric I've ever seen him with.

 

[t_ross33]

Some "locals"...

www.timelessinstruments.com

(offers hands on courses in lutherie as well);

http://www.furyguitar.com;

http://www.puraguitars.com

 

[otaypanky]

I love my Bombshell Guitar made by John Mayes.
John also make exquisite acoustic guitars

www.bombshellguitars.com
www.mayesguitars.com

 

[Tig]

http://www.guilfordguitars.com/ty_tabor
Jet Guitars
Used by Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings, Transatlantic. Simply beautiful extremely well crafted guitars.

Wow, after reading through the website, Jet Guitars are a real standout. Very impressed with the details. Check out their FAQ section for some cool viewpoints on finishes, etc.

The No Plastic stance is something that I've always expected from many top guitar manufacturers, but many still use plastic all over their guitars. I don't mind plastic knobs on a Squier, but if I plunk down $3000 on a Custom Shop Strat, why is this junk still there? Being traditional is no excuse for using cheap parts!

 

[Spudman]

Tig
I asked Roine what he thought of his Jet (he has 2 now, a slide and the Earlwood). He said it is the most alive feeling guitar he's ever played. The whole thing vibrates from one end to the other and it's comfortable and light.

Better be for what they charge. They really are a stand out. I hope someday I can justify getting one before he quits building them.

 

[Geraint Jones]

I got a guitar set up with this guy the other day and I think the next time I get a gas attack {hopefully not this year} I`ll be using his services to build me something to my own spec. http://tcellisguitars.com . Nice bloke and his prices were reasonable as well.

 

[Jimi75]

Tig
I asked Roine what he thought of his Jet (he has 2 now, a slide and the Earlwood). He said it is the most alive feeling guitar he's ever played. The whole thing vibrates from one end to the other and it's comfortable and light.

Better be for what they charge. They really are a stand out. I hope someday I can justify getting one before he quits building them.

Spud, you picked two extremely cool guitar makers. I enjoyed the Kings-X vids of course and that guitar sound great!

 

[aeolian]

Melancon guitars are built by a one person shop in Lousiana. He has been building for probably around 15 years now, and as far as I can tell there are probably 1600 or 1700 Melancon guitars out there.

I bought a used one about a year and a half ago for a nice price. Mine is kind of plain in looks but a killer guitar.

 

[bigG]

www.ericjosephelectricguitars.com in Maine.

I met Eric thru my recent Martin HD-7 McGuinn purchase. Really nice guy and knows tone and quality. Sexy lookin stuff he makes, w high quality tone-woods and electronics.

When (and if) I get off my acoustic kick, I'm going to Eric for my next electric buy! REally great guy, great communication, and more than willing to work with you in every way.

G

 

[FrankenFretter]

Normandy Guitars

Located in Salem Oregon, these are made from aluminum with a Warmouth neck. Altough I've had my hands on one, I've never played one. Jim Normandy did email me a lowball offer on my Peavey Valveking Royal 8 a while back, but I turned him down.

Normandy Guitars

I have a friend who works in the machine shop where Normandy has the bodies made. I'm pretty excited about their "Alumicaster" that's coming soon.

 

[deeaa]

I always keep wondering why is it that luthiers/guitar builders so seldom try to go their own way much, with a few clear exceptions.

The vast majority of them just copies Fender/Gibson models pretty much exactly, or some other maker's models, and don't really even correct the problems of said makers that everyone knows of and most users anyway mod so that those problems go away.

There seems to be very little evolution in guitar making to me.`
Is it that the makers lack imagination or play it safe or are the buyers just too conservative?

If I made guitars, they wouldn't look very much like any known brand, or have the same boring ubiqutous controls and PU configs. I know one luthier very well and we have often discussed about more radical guitar ideas, he's helped me build all my three guitars, but he's not really interested in making a more radical guitar anyhow. I mean, with different shape, with all kinds of innovations like different PU selector systems/mixing systems onboard, moveable and quick-changeable pickups/mounts with locking docking systems, tilt-neck bolt-on necks, semi-corrected intonation frets, active electronics with discreet monitor outs and/or routing lines, onboard tuner, fine-tune bridges with easy intonation adjustment, spring cavities, asymmetric neck profiles...

Why not? Why do they usually only make those same boring age-old tired configs? Wouldn't people be interested in more individual designs and handy improvements? I think while 90% of people would just buy the same as the next guy because they're afraid to deviate from the norms, there would be enough of those that would like to experiment and find new sounds and ways to play and make music?

 

[oldguy]

I've thought about this same subject, and at one time I thought it was because people were used to the F and G styles and wouldn't go for anything else. I slowly changed my mind however, and I think it has more to do with going with what works.
Extreme designs may look cool, and some are actually comfortable and functional, but others, art deco as they may be, are impracticle as can be when strapped on and turned up. I personally like to see the different designs luthiers come up with, the crazier the better, but I don't expect everyone to by playing one next year.

 

[Robert]

Sparrow Guitars from Vancouver, Canada.

 

[marnold]

There seems to be very little evolution in guitar making to me.`
Is it that the makers lack imagination or play it safe or are the buyers just too conservative?

Both. If you are too "out there" no one will want to buy the guitars (Moser Guitars excepted). Luthiers want to make money. Even though the typical rock/blues/jazz guitarist's politics will often lean left-of-center, they typically are decidedly reactionary when it comes to guitars. The only time I can think of in rock history where guitarists turned up their noses at convention was during the 80s. Crazy colors, controls, pickup configurations, some guy named Floyd Rose, multiple necks going in different directions, etc.

From what I read it seems that if you want to play sessions, you'd better have the standard Fenders or Gibsons otherwise producers and engineers don't seem to know what to do with you. That seems to be especially true with bass where you'd better have a Fender P or J and leave Music Man, Spector, etc. at home.

 

[Jimi75]

The only time I can think of in rock history where guitarists turned up their noses at convention was during the 80s. Crazy colors, controls, pickup configurations, some guy named Floyd Rose, multiple necks going in different directions, etc.

That is so true! Being a guitarist in 80s was an adventure - a good adventure. I loved being a part of it or at least growing up as a guitarist during the 80s. :happy

 

[rwhitney]

The same is true of other instruments like pianos and trumpets. I think people are comfortable with predictable traditions in most things, and guitars are no exception.

 

[Tig]

Black Mesa Guitars (GAS warning: Enter with caution!)

http://www.blackmesaguitars.com/
Let your eyes and ears feast...
(not overly expensive, either)

And basses, too