Why not go Custom?

[Goodallboy]

Originally Posted by Jasper64

Like someone mentioned earlier... I assume this dealer... who has a great reputation... would do something to make it right if the guitar shows up and sounds unsatisfactory or even dead.

I wouldn't expect, or ask a custom builder to do that. Unsatisfactory is a personal preference and not a build error. I've played dozens of high end guitars that had I been waiting for it for months on a custom order, I would have been sick. Custom ordering something doesn't make it a great guitar, it's a gamble I would never take.

There are many of them online for sale at a deep discount.

[Jasper64]

Originally Posted by Goodallboy

I wouldn't expect, or ask a custom builder to do that. Unsatisfactory is a personal preference and not a build error. I've played dozens of high end guitars that had I been waiting for it for months on a custom order, I would have been sick. Custom ordering something doesn't make it a great guitar, it's a gamble I would never take.

There are many of them online for sale at a deep discount.

I don't expect it to be sub par.... This is exactly the guitar I wanted and I think Martin will do the job Martin always does - TOP NOTCH! And at a great price....

[s2y]

It's odd how "risky" ordering a custom guitar is on this forum. It seems that a lot of the custom guys are happy with their guitars. It can't be that bad if they keep ordering custom after custom.

[Taylorplayer]

I think the OP has made a great move. He has ordered what he wants for his guitar... Isn't that the main point? It sounds like he's done his homework, and will be getting a good value in the process. That makes it an even better move.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by Taylorplayer

I think the OP has made a great move. He has ordered what he wants for his guitar... Isn't that the main point? It sounds like he's done his homework, and will be getting a good value in the process. That makes it an even better move.

...but what if he doesn't like it? What if Martin takes 1 week longer than expected. RUINED RUINED!

[Taylorplayer]

Originally Posted by s2y

...but what if he doesn't like it? What if Martin takes 1 week longer than expected. RUINED RUINED!

Or so some might say... ;-)

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by Taylorplayer

I think the OP has made a great move. He has ordered what he wants for his guitar... Isn't that the main point? It sounds like he's done his homework, and will be getting a good value in the process. That makes it an even better move.

Then again, you're a Taylor Player. Most consistent factory guitars ever.

Of the big makers, Gibsons may be the least consistent in my opinion, and Martin falls somewhere in the middle. Any mail-order Martin, custom or not, is a risk and I personally wouldn't take it. Then again, I'm someone who constantly vacillates between thrifty and broke.

[s2y]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

Then again, you're a Taylor Player. Most consistent factory guitars ever.

Of the big makers, Gibsons may be the least consistent in my opinion, and Martin falls somewhere in the middle. Any mail-order Martin, custom or not, is a risk and I personally wouldn't take it. Then again, I'm someone who constantly vacillates between thrifty and broke.

I can agree with all of this. As consistent as Taylor is, the custom shop isn't doing things like fanned frets, deep OMs, 28.6" scale baritones, etc.

[Authentic]

Originally Posted by Jasper64

Like I said I got exactly what I wanted for a lot less money. BTW not impressed with the authentics. I played one before ordering this. GE forward shifted adirondack 1/4 bracing with a progressive tone bar is not far from authentic bracing and sounds better to me.

What is a progressive tone bar?

[mcduffnw]

Originally Posted by guitargabor

Most of the higher end Martins I have purchased or played at shop have been pretty consistent( very very good).Under the $2k price point however is a different matter.

We have Olson just down the road here in the Northern twin cites suburbs.I have toured his shop and of course all of his product is all custom.

Each of his completed guitars that we tried that day were unique in it's voice.

Don't know how one can predict the true tone of the final product in any of the custom scenarios.

Part of the enigma with any unique naturally made product...

Remember with Mr. Olson...

He does not individually "voice" guitars. He builds all of them to the same basic spec's, and whatever difference you hear in the voice, he attributes to the specific individual differences in the wood of each guitar.

duff