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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 26, 2012 15:19:37 GMT -5
I have been playing forever blah blah blah. Insert typical guitar player backstory here)LOL I have owned quite a few guitars in my life and now I want to buy a "custom hand made guitar". All of my previous guitars have been MFG guitars. I played a custom recently and now I want one. Any ideas? I want something strat style but stripped down and basic. Has anyone bought a hand made one? If so who did you buy it from? Any input is appreciated. Thanks, Randy
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Post by cynical1 on Feb 26, 2012 16:12:18 GMT -5
Greetings and Welcome to the Nutzhouse.  Well, I bet you came here looking for a quick answer. I wish I had one for you. Buying a custom guitar, from a quality builder, is more of an experience then a purchase. By this I mean that most long time builders will have a load of questions for you on your physical size, style of music and what you currently like and don't like in your current and past guitars. While there are good builders all over the world, choosing one local to where you live is the best way to go. This way you can play some of his existing guitars and discuss what options and features you want. It also gives the builder a chance to gain a much better idea of what you're looking for if he can talk to you in person versus trading a score of e-mails back and forth. For example, I can ask you about the width of the neck at the nut and toss out 1-5/8" or 1-13/16", but unless you have those sizes to play on it's academic. Same with the radius. These are things that if you have the opportunity to lay your hands on will make all the difference in the finished guitar. And choosing a build local will also save you some coin in shipping. So, have you done any digging around on builders in your area? Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 26, 2012 16:40:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick reply Cynical one! No I really wasn't expecting a quick answer I have been looking for a while 1 1/2 yrs. LOL. Anyway ironically enough I was reading the newspaper today (printed version  ) and came across a guy here in Flint. I have heard good things about him but once again I don't want to limit myself. Has anyone owned or played a Luczak guitar? I have been looking at his for a couple of days and thinking about contacting him. Hopefully someone out there has had experience with the guy. I take it you build your own Cynical1? |
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Post by cynical1 on Feb 26, 2012 19:09:52 GMT -5
...Anyway ironically enough I was reading the newspaper today (printed version ) and came across a guy here in Flint. I have heard good things about him but once again I don't want to limit myself. Three big factors in looking for a custom guitar builder, price, delivery and quality. Generally, you get to pick two. The one question you need to answer is what exactly are you looking for in a custom guitar. Sounds pretty basic, but you'd be amazed at the number of players I asked that question to and all I got back was the deer in the headlights look. You're planning on dropping some significant cash on this investment, so it behooves you to have a list of what you want out of it. If this builder in Flint can answer all of your questions, present you with a firm set of specs and a quote within your price range then you're through looking. Ask this builder for some references. Check them out. Ask a zillion questions. If you've been looking at builders sites for a year and a half then you probably already have a good idea what to ask and what to expect back as an answer. And I admit I've never heard of Luczak guitars...but he's probably never heard of me either... I checked his site out and I like the way he fits his set necks. He also does some interesting carving behind the headstock to strengthen a traditionally weak part of a 3 + 3 neck. I'd pull the trigger and contact him. Set up a time to go into his shop and plan on spending as much time as he can afford to give you. And yes, I have repaired and built my share of guitars and basses over the years. I've been out of it for a few years, but will be working my way back into again once I get back to Chicago. Keep us posted on how it goes with this builder. We are not averse to some shameless self-promotion if he wants to allow pictures of the project in progress here if you decide to pull the trigger. Happy Trails Cynical One |
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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 26, 2012 20:08:42 GMT -5
Great advice Cynical one. I am going to give them a call on Monday and just get an idea of all the details. I will post any pictures I promise! Thanks again!!
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Post by reTrEaD on Feb 26, 2012 20:35:10 GMT -5
I want something strat style but stripped down and basic. What does that mean? Fewer pickups? No paint, just oil finish? Fixed bridge instead of trem? No pickguard?  now I want to buy a "custom hand made guitar". Why? (Not saying you shouldn't, just curious.) |
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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 26, 2012 20:53:10 GMT -5
Stripped down meaning fixed bridge, one pickup and take or leave the pickguard.
I played a friends custom and it was just something I never felt before, it was incredible!
I sent the guy an email and he responded right back and gave me the link to his site, he is actually pretty close to where I work so I am going to go over there Tuesday at lunch and take a look.
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Post by cynical1 on Feb 26, 2012 23:14:48 GMT -5
Actually, there are a lot of reasons to go with a custom guitar.
Most of them revolve around the neck. I don't have a prejudice against a CNC neck, but every hand is different. The contour and thickness of the back of the neck, the radius, or compound radius of the fingerboard, the size of the frets...all of these things either click or fail for many players with a "stock" Fender or Gibson neck.
Most of the "made to order" guitars I've built were for a dedicated purpose. You'd think for the money you'd have to lay out you'd want a very versatile instrument, like something Steve Morse would use, but it was just the opposite from my experience.
And kingghidorah, if you really want a custom guitar you probably already know why. Just make sure you do your best to translate this to the builder. And be open to suggestion. This guy has over 20 years at this and he's learned a few things along the way. This is another perk to working with a custom builder. They can take your ideas and improve upon it in ways you may not have considered.
They WANT you to play this instrument. They're not just looking to move a unit.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Happy Trails
Cynical One
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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 27, 2012 0:11:50 GMT -5
You know exactly what I am talking about Cynical1 when it comes to a custom guitar. I keep going back to Luczak's website and cannot believe those are hand made. I love the design and I am dying to talk with him. I might just stop by tomorrow and chat with him the anticipation is killing me. I will most certainly keep you posted on the next move. Thanks Cynical and the rest of the Nutz!!
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Post by reTrEaD on Feb 27, 2012 13:39:48 GMT -5
Actually, there are a lot of reasons to go with a custom guitar. Sure. I was (am) curious what kingghidorah's reasons are. |
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Post by kingghidorah on Feb 27, 2012 14:17:16 GMT -5
All I can say is WOW!!! I stopped by the Luczak guitar shop this afternoon and I could not BELIEVE the quality. His name is Ron Luczak nice guy. He reminded me of a surgeon the way he handled the guitars. I played one for about 20 minutes and did NOt want to put it down. He names each guitar individually which gives it an even more personal feel. He is working up the details and it looks to be around 2,500 for everything, I should have it in about a month after I give him the down payment. As soon as he shoots me a spec sheet I will post the details, I was so excited I wanted to take the demo home.
To answer your question retread; I have a Custom les Paul, and a B.C. Rich Mockingbird, R Rhoads Jackson and I just wanted something made for ME. With the exception of the L.P. they don't hold a candle to the Luczak model. I absolutely cannot wait i think I am going with a "Lake Michigan Blue" but not 100% yet. Like I said I will post details later. take care guys!
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) and came across a guy here in Flint. I have heard good things about him but once again I don't want to limit myself. Has anyone owned or played a Luczak guitar? I have been looking at his for a couple of days and thinking about contacting him. Hopefully someone out there has had experience with the guy. I take it you build your own Cynical1?
