How do the UK guitar builders compare?

willo

I'm interested in better understanding the relative quality of some of the British guitar makers - the ones I'm most aware of are:

- Fidelity
- PJD
- Gordon Smith
- Ancoats Guitars

(I'll leave Eggle out of it because my understanding is they are exceptional quality, but the price is above anything I would be able to pay).

How do the above makers, and any others in that sub-£3k bracket, compare to more established brands in terms of quality, and to which would you compare them?

mo6020

I’ve only played Ivison and Atkin, and they beat the pants off pretty much anything I’ve played from the big US brands, but they’re also above the bracket you mentioned. 

Stratavarious

I have an older Eggle.  Outstanding instrument.    I don’t get the silly prices today though.

You could check out older Berlin or LA Plus models. Might get a fab player.

Whitecat

Fidelity is awesome. Unique guitars but felt a lot like the Novos I’ve owned. 

TheMarlin

A & P Richardson. 

I’ve got one of their strats, and it wiped the floor with any custom shop Fender strat I’ve had my hands on.  A spectacular guitar. 

Bigsby

willo said:

How do the above makers, and any others in that sub-£3k bracket, compare to more established brands in terms of quality, and to which would you compare them?

I've ordered two guitars from Gordon Smith in recent years (since the Auden take-over). The first was quite similar in spec to a Gibson USA SG Junior, but slightly cheaper and came with numerous custom specs (including colour). The second immediately became my favourite guitar, though it now has to complete with the very different Strandberg. 

You'll certainly get better resale values on an established brand like Gibson, but then again I've never considered selling either of my GS guitars, but I've owned about eight Gibsons and only kept one, (which may well go up for sale before too long). So I guess I'm happy that Gibsons hold their value well...  

HAL9000

I’d add Trent to the list.

timhulio

Look also at Gray Guitars. Incredible build quality.

It's worth pointing out you're comparing small factories (PJD and Auden) with individual builders. So you can expect a greater degree of uniformity from the factory workshop. 

The styles of guitar are quite different, so check the ranges out and see what model grabs you. Ancoats and Fidelity regularly do guitar shows around the UK, so you can try various models in person.

I've been a big fan of Fidelity for a good while, and bought mine earlier this year. I can absolutely recommend the ordering experience and the guitar is lovely.

Rich31k

One of the Fidelity guitars I had was exceptional. Solid wenge neck, mojo pickups. It sounded epic. 

Had a couple of PJD guitars. They were nicely made but didn’t keep them long. Quick big necks. 

Gordon Smith are completely customisable. They can be heavy. I’d probably only have GS guitars if it wasn’t for the brass nut. I don’t like the effect it has on the sound. But that is their USP, so it’s my problem.  

PJD and GS depreciate a lot. Best to pick them up second hand or try before you buy. 

The Trent I had was brilliant. Shouldn’t have sold it. Light, built beautifully and sounded great.  

There’s Ruby guitars too. I haven’t played one, but they look good. 

Recently picked up a Cream T Crossfire with the pickup swapping system. First impressions are positive. 

shaunm

Feline? Wonderful guitars

willo

timhulio said:

It's worth pointing out you're comparing small factories (PJD and Auden) with individual builders. So you can expect a greater degree of uniformity from the factory workshop. 

Loads of great recommendations across this thread, thanks everyone.

They are different types of businesses and, I assume, delivering at different quality levels based on their differing price points. But, for example, if you were looking to benchmark the brands against mainstream brands we've all had experience with...would PJD equate to a Fender Professional? And Fidelity is at a CS level?

It's a flawed system of comparison but I'm just trying to get a sense of it, which is very hard being not near any of the guitars.

musicman100

willo said:

I'm interested in better understanding the relative quality of some of the British guitar makers - the ones I'm most aware of are:

- Fidelity
- PJD
- Gordon Smith
- Ancoats Guitars

(I'll leave Eggle out of it because my understanding is they are exceptional quality, but the price is above anything I would be able to pay).

How do the above makers, and any others in that sub-£3k bracket, compare to more established brands in terms of quality, and to which would you compare them?

Michael Eastwood is probably you of the best U.K. luthiers 

Tannin

In the acoustic world, UK builders are second to none: Atkin, Brook and Lowden are all first class. 

longshins

The Gordon Smith guitars I’ve tried haven’t been great, super heavy and poor tuning stability/setup. Their more recent models look a bit of a step up though? 

gatheredinsong

Where do you live Willo?

guitarjack66

If anybody recommends Elson Guitars, either direct them to an optician or stab them in their eyes with a fork!

iheartreverb

mo6020 said:

I’ve only played Ivison and Atkin, and they beat the pants off pretty much anything I’ve played from the big US brands, but they’re also above the bracket you mentioned. 

I’d second this. The Atkin electrics I’ve tried have all been exceptional 

stickyfiddle

iheartreverb said:

mo6020 said:

I’ve only played Ivison and Atkin, and they beat the pants off pretty much anything I’ve played from the big US brands, but they’re also above the bracket you mentioned. 

I’d second this. The Atkin electrics I’ve tried have all been exceptional 

I haven't played any electric Atkins yet but their acoustics are incredible and easily up there with any of the boutique guys in the US

stonevibe

I have interviewed a few UK luthiers on my blog, and some great guitar makers are in the UK. Top-notch work and custom orders, etc

The best thing to do is try some out where possible or contact the builders, then go from there.

TheBigDipper

Tannin said:

In the acoustic world, UK builders are second to none: Atkin, Brook and Lowden are all first class. 

I've never played a Brook or an Atkin that I didn't want to own. And every Lowden I've played has also sounded great (but I don't like how it feels under my fingers). The only exception being the Wee Lowden, which sounded awful to me from the "players perspective". 

blueskunk

musicman100 said:

willo said:

I'm interested in better understanding the relative quality of some of the British guitar makers - the ones I'm most aware of are:

- Fidelity
- PJD
- Gordon Smith
- Ancoats Guitars

(I'll leave Eggle out of it because my understanding is they are exceptional quality, but the price is above anything I would be able to pay).

How do the above makers, and any others in that sub-£3k bracket, compare to more established brands in terms of quality, and to which would you compare them?

Michael Eastwood is probably you of the best U.K. luthiers 

Brian’s lad?