Which luthier has the longest wait list?

[Guitar1083]

Originally Posted by handers

Robert Ruck and Jeffrey Elliott closed their new order list some years ago.

The highest end classical guitar market is more complicated, potentially more difficult to purchase from than the steel string.

hans

I called Robert Ruck back in 1995 was put on a 8 year waiting list 7 years later i heard back from him and i said thank you but i cant afford your guitar at this time - 3 years later I dropped $8,400 on a guitar

everyday i think about that Robert Ruck guitar i could have had Oh well.

[bohemian]

"Fleta booked it for his life time"

Fleta's sons are actually responsible for the lifetime booking. When Fleta Sr was still alive, the three of them were building and taking orders at about 5-7 years out. The sons ran it up to a lifetime with a Japanese contract and the few remaining older orders and orders for "special" people..

Still.. a lifetime, and I understand it, no successors.

[CyberFerret]

At some point, don't these long wait lists become meaningless?

So many things can change with a persons life in 2 years, let alone 8 or 10 years - job changes, health situations, relationship situation etc. can turn around and cause financial hardships and just a plain change in life priorities.

I understand that you can sell your 'spot' in the build, but even then, it almost becomes a stock market type gamble as you hope the demand exceeds supply at that point in time.

As a small business person who has clients on a long wait list for certain projects, I know that it can be a blessing and a curse. It is nice to know that I have work on the horizon for the foreseeable future, but it is also a little depressing when a project that REALLY excites me comes along but I know I have to put it at the end of the queue behind a lot of other less exciting projects that don't inspire me so much.

[SOR]

I have to say based on the age of many people on this forum putting money on a ten year waiting list is quite optimistic. I presume the deposits are refundable.

[muzz76]

I think Mario Proulx was way up there the last time I heard.

[HHP]

Originally Posted by SOR

I have to say based on the age of many people on this forum putting money on a ten year waiting list is quite optimistic. I presume the deposits are refundable.

The age of some of the builders don't exactly inspire confidence either.

[SOR]

Originally Posted by HHP

The age of some of the builders don't exactly inspire confidence either.

Perhaps an even more relevant point.

[TwoStep2000]

why would anyone make a purchase that takes 10 years to physically play?

[Guitar1083]

Originally Posted by TwoStep2000

why would anyone make a purchase that takes 10 years to physically play?

maybe thats how long it takes to get the guitar your searching for...

[bohemian]

Velasquez (sp) was another.. not sure if he is still building and still with us.. sold out for life.. though I believe his son has entered the game.

[SJ VanSandt]

Originally Posted by muzz76

I think Mario Proulx was way up there the last time I heard.

Mario told me about 10 years when I asked a few weeks ago.

(I revived this thread because I'm gassing bad for a Proulx OM-D. Anyone out there want to sell me theirs?)

[Howard Klepper]

Originally Posted by mrkpower

I know Kim Walker has the wait list for about eight years. Is this the longest one? Who else also has the long wait list that you know?

Is that what you are seeking? I can keep you waiting as long as you would like.

[Guitar1083]

Ignacio Fleta died in Barcelona on August 11th, 1977. The workshop remained open, and great guitars continued to be produced by his sons Gabriel (b. 21 December 1929) and Francisco (b. 22 July 1925, now retired). To this day, a lengthy wait-list of 20 years is still tended by Gabriel's son, Gabriel Jr. and so the Fleta legacy lives on, now in its third generation.

- - - - - -

With a wait list approaching 20 years now I am always so thankful when I can offer a new Romanillos to my friends and clients around the world. The rich history of Romanillos continues to expand as these lovely soulful guitars gently make their way into the world. For many years now Liam Romanillos has proved his guitars to be the rival of his fathers, and this is enhanced by the fact that he is able to use the same very old aged specially selected woods acquired by Jose over 40 years ago. These old perfectly aged woods are among the finest being used to build guitars anywhere in the world today and no doubt help to continue the Romanillos tradition of excellence that has earned both father and son their well deserved and much admired reputations.

[drplayer]

The older I get, the more I come to realize that life is too short and unpredictable, and time is far too precious. I might wait a year, but I would REALLY have to have serious GAS for the guitar. There's just way too many great guitars being built today to justify any longer of a wait for me...

[jaymarsch]

Originally Posted by Howard Klepper

Is that what you are seeking? I can keep you waiting as long as you would like.

Thanks for the chuckle, Howard!

I remember reading that Randall Knives (all handmade - even the blade is hand forged) has something like a 7 year wait. I guess if you want a handmade something badly enough and in your experience there is not another equivalent, then there will always be folks willing to wait.

It just seems that these days there are so many choices for high quality guitars and varieties of tone, that most folks can find an alternative to a long wait.

Best,
Jayne