So you're looking for a new guitar. Not just any new guitar; you want something special, something that looks and sounds a step beyond the ordinary. But custom-made guitars have usually been priced a step beyond your means- until now.
Commissioning a custom-made instrument gives you nearly infinite options. Imagine a gem crafted by hand from exotic solid woods and polished to highlight the dazzling beauty only nature can provide. Imagine the feel of a neck carved to fit precisely into your own hand. Now imagine that this has been done exclusively to bring your musical vision to life.
If you can imagine it, I can build it, at a price competitive with a top-notch factory-built instrument. While I specialize in building archtop guitars, my experience ranges from flat-tops to electric basses to reproductions of prehistoric stringed instruments. I draw on the techniques of a craft centuries old, but you can be sure that your instrument will take advantage of the most modern acoustical research.
The first step in building an instrument is to consult you, the player. A fine instrument should last you the rest of your life, so it is imperative that it be exactly right for you. We would consider your playing style and technique, the "look" you like, the kind of sound you want, the amount of versatility you need, and of course your budget.
This consultation is arguably the most important part of the building process, so we would take the time to get it right. Here are a few parameters to think about when considering the design of your guitar:
The body size: Guitars are made in many sizes, but most are between 15 and 18 inches wide, with sides from 2 to 5 inches deep. Larger guitars typically have a more prominent bass response, and often display more volume, at the expense of comfort and portability.
Wood choices: A lot depends on the choice of wood for the guitar. The soundboard is almost always made of quartersawn spruce, although Western Red Cedar, Redwood, and Alpine Fir can be used. There are a few different species of spruce that are available, with varying and overlapping typical characteristics, and several grades of quality (mostly cosmetic) for each. The characteristics of the individual spruce "blank" will certainly affect the final tone of the finished instrument. The choice of wood for the back, sides and neck, while it influences the tone of the instrument less than the soundboard, is much more interesting for the customer. There are dozens of different woods that can be used, ranging in colour from white to black, green to purple, and everything in between. They may be austere or wildly figured, and can be economical or breathtakingly expensive. The fretboard, bridge, and tailpiece are generally made from matching pieces of ebony, maple, or various species of rosewood, although other species can be considered. Here is a more complete description of several options.
Scale length: This refers to the theoretical distance between nut and bridge, and will affect how close together the frets are. Most guitars have a scale length between 24.5 and 25.5 inches. That small difference changes the string tension significantly, affecting the playability of the guitar as well as having a small effect on the tone. It's a matter of personal preference for most guitarists. Using a computer program, any scale length you desire can be generated, to an accuracy of 0.001 inches.
Electronics: These are optional, of course. You may want a purely acoustic instrument, or to have a pickup installed which faithfully reproduces the acoustic sound of the instrument. You may want a more traditional floating electric pickup, or a combination of both. There are many terrific pickups and preamps available on the market to be built into an instrument, so the possibilities are almost endless.
Neck profile: No two hands are alike. You probably have a preference for one style of neck or another, like the deep "V" of a vintage Stratocaster, or a broader, flat-back profile for bar chording. The neck can have any shape you like, in any width and depth you desire.
The look: Because each guitar is hand made individually, it can be built to almost any shape. Let the imagination run wild, and then the ideas can be refined through concept sketches before a final plan is drawn up. Consider also the binding scheme, the decoration of the fretboard, and whether you would like a natural, stained or sunburst finish. For some ideas, see my Gallery.
The finish: My guitars are normally finished with a premium waterborne acrylic-urethane varnish, which offers the shine and transparency of traditional nitrocellulose lacquer but with greater toughness and much less toxicity. You may instead opt for a spirit varnish, like that used on some of the greatest old violins. This is less robust than the waterborne varnish, and is best used on the finest acoustic instruments where it can be appreciated for its beauty and tonal transparency.
The price: This is a major consideration for most of us, and nothing to be ashamed of. My guitars cost much less than you might expect. I don't have the overhead of a factory, a marketing department, or a large workforce, so my guitars can cost little more than an equivalent factory-built guitar. A basic (but still completely custom) hand-made arch-top guitar can be yours from about $2500 Can. Requesting exotic woods or advanced electronics systems would raise the price, but I am still committed to providing superb value. To see some examples of what's possible, view my Gallery.
When the design has been finalized I will provide you with a price quote. The price becomes "locked-in" and construction begins upon receipt of a 20% non-refundable deposit. If requested, I will provide photo updates so you can see your guitar take shape. It takes time to produce a one-of a kind instrument; expect your custom order to take 3 months or more to be completed, depending on its complexity. If possible, we would have a final consultation in order to optimize the set-up (action, intonation etc.) for your particular playing style. After receipt of payment in full, the instrument is yours. It will carry a lifetime (yours or mine, whichever ends first) warranty for the original owner, meaning that I will replace or repair anything within the terms of the warranty free of charge. But that's not all: you have a week to decide if the guitar lives up to your expectations. In the unlikely event that the guitar is not to your satisfaction, you can return it for a refund (minus the 20% deposit).
One-of-a-kind guitars made in this way are the ultimate expression of the luthier's art. Expect the guitar to undergo some changes in the following months and years. It will probably need minor adjustments after a few months as it settles into its life as a musical instrument. Some woods will change colour over time, sometimes very noticeably. The tone of the instrument also matures, quite dramatically at first, then more slowly, but always for the better. You will adapt to your instrument in wonderfully subtle ways, and it will adapt to you, rewarding you with a character unlike any other instrument.