Hi all
First post so be gentle.....
Basically to cut a long story short it's my 40th next year and my lovely mum has offered to get me a 'nice guitar' as a present.
I currently play an Epiphone Les Paul (I'm much more of a Les Paul than a Strat guy), I've been half playing on and off for years(badly) but I've only really started playing properly in the last few months. I mainly play metal and rock, but I've been getting more and more into blues of late as well.
This is probably the only point in my life where I'll get a chance for a really good guitar and I'm looking for input as to what direction to take. Knowing my mum it'll need to be new and I was thinking that it might be awesome to try and have something custom built. I've looked at Kiesels and they seem amazing but the whole ordering from the States puts me off.
So are there any UK builders who would be recommended to build a decent guitar in the £1500 to £2000 range? Or am I better thinking a out something '''off the shelf" for that kind of price?
I know it's a big (and vague) question, but as I said it's really going to be my only chance of a good guitar and I want to make sure I'm getting the best I can!
Comments
If its not enough to get a custom in the UK then I guess I would look at a Kiesel( I've tinkered and they come in at about that much with import duties etc) or I could go for something off the shelf
Can't comment on price, but @kempGuitars look pretty good and I've been eager to try them for a while!
http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/107764/kemp-guitars-uk-build-thread-2/p1
Although I haven't played one, I would go to Feline Guitars if I wanted a custom guitar.
Also, check out Stormshadow Guitar Works.
The benefit of buying "off the shelf" is you can head to your local guitar stores and try out dozens of different guitars within your budget to your heart's content. Then you can really get a feel for something that you bond with the most. Especially with it being potentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I'd want to try out first hand as many different guitars as possible before splurging your mother's cash rather than putting all the eggs in one basket with a guitar you've never even played before.
Nice little dilemma to have though!
Having gone down the custom route for a few instruments myself there are a lot of options available and if one isn't entirely aware of all of them it's possible to regret making particular decisions over certain others later down the line when one's appreciation grows.
Unless you are chasing something very specific then what you want probably exists out there somewhere.
Are you looking for a flametop, quilt, plain, or a solid colour one?
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!