Luthier built alternatives to Gibson ES type guitars in the UK

mburekenge

I have a White Falcon, which is an awesome guitar, but I really fancy a Gibson ES type.

In the states there is Josh Williams, who has some really tasty ES inspired 'Mockingbird'  guitars on offer.

Who are the UK based guys who offer something along these lines?

There seem to be a lot of S/T-tyoe builders, great LP Junior builders, but all I've really seen otherwise is acoustics or jazz boxes.

I'm predictably boring - I want close to a Gibson ES-345 ideally, but built in the UK.

Any ideas?

crunchman

Martyn Booth makes some semis.

http://www.martynboothguitars.co.uk/project/the-martyn-booth-165/

http://www.martynboothguitars.co.uk/project/the-martyn-booth-157/

He is as good as it gets.

jazzlemming

http://www.caseguitars.co.uk/

SteveRobinson

Damian Probett made one or two, using front and back plates made by Ken McKay in the USA. 

I don't think the McKay is making them now but I could be wrong

https://m.imgur.com/gallery/bjydIdH

Winny_Pooh

jazzlemming said:

http://www.caseguitars.co.uk/

I'd get one of these

DB1

Wow, those Case guitars. Damn, I wish I hadn't seen that!

mburekenge

They look great. I'm a wally and prefer a more traditional headstock.

ICBM

There's a '61 Gibson 335 in Glasgow that's been completely rebuilt by Jimmy Moon - new neck, full refinish, replacement electrics - does that count?

Andy79

mburekenge said:

They look great. I'm a wally and prefer a more traditional headstock.

Same here I can ignore great guitars for shapes I don’t like. I’m an idiot 

jimmyguitar

I have an absolutely stunning hand built UK replica of a ‘60 dot neck 335, best ES I’ve owned or played and I’ve had a lot of original 60’s ones. I can find out if there are others from the same luthier...

DB1

mburekenge said:

They look great. I'm a wally and prefer a more traditional headstock.

I do, actually. However, I'm big fan of the ES-225 and ES-175 shape and I love what they've done with the overall design, and  (to me) the headstock sits better with the bulkier-bodied guitars. I'm going to have to investigate! Damn. Damn. Damn.

jiiim

Came here to ask the very same question? Did the OP find anything?

jiiim

jimmyguitar said:

I have an absolutely stunning hand built UK replica of a ‘60 dot neck 335, best ES I’ve owned or played and I’ve had a lot of original 60’s ones. I can find out if there are others from the same luthier...

Who made this one?

guitarjack66

Love the look of Paul Carrack's Case guitar. Most of those guitars look brilliant.

guitargeek62

jiiim said:

jimmyguitar said:

I have an absolutely stunning hand built UK replica of a ‘60 dot neck 335, best ES I’ve owned or played and I’ve had a lot of original 60’s ones. I can find out if there are others from the same luthier...

Who made this one?

Well, if the headstock inlay's anything to go by I'd say Gibson, but...

danishbacon

Appreciate the ‘predictably’ boring but the Pendine might be an interesting alternative. 

https://www.richardmeyrickguitars.co.uk/electric.php

jiiim

Just remembered about James Collins Guitars as well.

SteveRobinson

jimmyguitar said:

I have an absolutely stunning hand built UK replica of a ‘60 dot neck 335, best ES I’ve owned or played and I’ve had a lot of original 60’s ones. I can find out if there are others from the same luthier...

That's the one built using McKay plates? I'm pretty sure he only built the one.

EDIT: Just looked at some old photos and it's not the one I thought it was.

Rocky1991

I think the reason there is alot more S/T/LPJ style guitars is because they are easier to make.

WezV

Making pressed laminated tops and backs is a completely different skillset to the rest of luthiery with different tool requirements.  

The options are to carve the plates from solid wood.  Buy some pressed ones in from a very limited number of suppliers, or invest in making them yourself.  

Although as a 4th option I do have a pair of vintage  USA made gretsch plates that never got made into a guitar.  One day I will do something with them

djl

Vanden guitars have a great rep